Cho Sun Ok Restaurant
4200 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60618
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant Menu
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Address :
4200 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60618 - Phone (773) 549-5555
- Website https://chosunokrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Mel R.
I loved this place! If you're coming for korean BBQ this is the place! stopped in here once before, but the line was overwhelming. we gave it another chance on a friday night and got really lucky and got seated as soon as we arrived. the waitress was very helpful and we ordered the standards: bulgogi, seafood pancake, fried dumplings, everything was great :) i'm getting hungry thinking about it. YUM! update: i've been here other times and the service was not as good. the server was a little intimidating, and at times slow. we brought wine and it took forever to get a corkscrew, then it took another long wait to get glasses! i guess the service is inconsistent. food is still good though :)
(4)Jack L.
Came here with a friend for dinner one night. This is a Korean BBQ restaurant and I was expecting so much more. The food was good but it did not justify the price. There were only 2 of us and we ordered 2 plates because we were still hungry after the first one. We got the beef with octopus and then just a plain beef dish. I wouldn't even really call it BBQ, it seemed more like pan fried meat. I did like the variety of pan chan that came with it though. I would come back with friends because it's BYOB.Seems like a good place to get a group together (about 5 or 6 people) to have dinner and bring your own drinks. 3 stars for the food and potential.
(3)Kathleen B.
Heed the advice of others and go with someone who is Korean or else you will be totally ignored just like you were the year back when you wore that blue velvet dress and mary janes to the Homecoming dance. (Oh wait, was that just me?) I expected icy service, but being ignored when people were lining up waiting for a table and we were finished eating?? Aside from the fact that we had to wait for our check or 25+ minutes tonight after asking for it for 3 times, the bulgogi was delicious. The dumpling soup was piping hot and tasty. Another major disappointment was that the Jab Chae was missing the shredded beef, but otherwise, was very good. Seems like you take your chances here if you aren't Korean or a regular! Unfortunately, my awesome entourage doesn't include any Koreans at this moment in time. I guess that'll need to change so I can make a return trip to Cho Sun Ok and REALLY enjoy myself.
(3)Cam B.
Food was great. Atmosphere is TINY, sweltering hot, noisy. Kind of miserable, actually Service, was sadly, awful. My boyfriend and I had no idea how this place worked and sadly, no one would explain it to us. We patiently waited to grab someone's attention to ask how we should cook the marinated beef we ordered, and we received nothing but a pointing at the pan. When we started cooking it incorrectly, the owner walked over and was shaking his head at us. It was pretty rude and actually made us feel bad! i dont know how we were supposed to know. It was impossible to order waters. We sat at the bar (the only space available) so I think we kind of were "forgotten". The food made up for it, but I can't believe how bad the service was. I mean, we can't be the first inexperienced customers that Cho Sun Ok has ever had...can we? I'd go back for the food, but I'd do a little reading on basic korean bbq, because no one is going to explain it to you when you go. Beware, first timers!
(4)Laurel H.
Oh! So good! It reminds me of eating with my (Korean, obviously) friends' families. The waitresses are even authentically surly and just kind of drop all the tiny bowls of wonderful food on your table and grunt at you. Maybe they were mad at me because I'm Asian and I was eating with my friend Jonny who's white, and they thought "MAIL ORDER BRIDE!" or something, but I don't care! The bibimbap was delicious and so is their disdain!
(4)Julie A.
Excellent food but service is so bad it takes away from the experience. I'll probably be back and express my discontent with service on the tip. The worse service in Chigago. I keep on thinking is cultural thing but I know plenty of Koreans that smile and are pleseant; so it cannot be that. Stars are on food allow, ZERO stars for service.
(3)Gregory L.
You know a place is authentic and good when the ethnicity that it represents is waiting outside in the cold and rain to get in and once inside, you realize, "Hmm, we're one of the only white diners in here." Admittedly that's a coarse metric to judge a restaurant by, and probably not very PC, but I've found it to be a good measure none-the-less. We've been back here again and again and it never fails to delight! I think a previous reviewer noted that this is authentic Korean which means that if you want your water refilled, they don't come around and refill it; you need to flag them down. It's not poor service, it's the cultural expectation. The first time it happened, I was like, "Sheesh, what the hell?" But after having it explained, it works just fine. I love the ambiance in this place. It feels off the beaten path - a-la-Anthony-Bourdain. And it is. Something this authentic and ethnic, with its hole-in-the-wall feel, is admittedly out-of-place on Lincoln and Berteau in North Center. The table top stoves look like they are about to explode into flames and I'm sure I'm getting some kind of carbon monoxide poisoning, but these are all GOOD THINGS. I'm tired of all these ultra chic, feng shui, minimalist Asian restaurants. The rounded edge rectangular vases, square plates and chop sticks blunt the flavor of the food and cause all of them to blend into one. CSO stands out as authentic and individual. Helpful hints before ordering: Stop at the ubiquitous-big-box-grocery next door and pick up some Asian beer to enjoy during your meal. The place is BYOB (YAY!) and it alleviates the constant need to flag down a waitress to refill your water. When you are ordering, you may be tempted to order appetizer, soup, entree, etc. That is way too much food. The portions here are sizable and the kimchee is a meal in itself. Think about going family style for variety. The stone-top Korean barbecue with bulgogi is a safe start for newbees and few are disappointed by kalbi-gui, but my penchant for runny egg yolks and heat can only be satisfied by an awesome bowl of CSO's bimbimbap. Note for those with a Midwestern palate: Korean food has heat! Stop by, be adventurous and try something new, or kidnap your Korean friend as a guide, but go to Cho Sun Ok. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Pat C.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Even though the place is ALWAYS packed and that you usually will have a decent wait for a table and even if the wait staff can be rushed, the quality in the food is fantastic. The entire joint smells like heaven, and I often find myself sticking my head in to smell when I walk by. I don't know if I would come here without one of my Korean-speaking friends, as I might be a little intimidated, but that being said, I always want my Korean friends to take me here. Delicious!
(5)Elleb K.
Little restaurant. Roughly 30 min wait. Plenty of street parking. Food was good, not great, but good enough. Chadol baegi () was good. Kimchi was not enough spicy as I am acustomed to. (Homemade kimchi is always best.) My stomach is so full. I ate enough for 4. Plenty of meat for everyone as well as leftovers. I need a long walk aid in my digestion.
(4)Cakeeate R.
THIS PLACE MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL, I AM LIVID! Before I start my review, I would like to address the people who reviewed this restaurant and had the nerve to defend the horrific service, (as if it is a common Korean restaurant accommodation to be rude and that patrons need to just accept it), you should be ashamed of yourselves. The food was excellent, because I COOKED IT! However, while I was cooking, the server had the nerve to grab the tongs out of my hands with such disgust, as if I was bastardizing their cuisine. Excuse me if I prefer my rice toasted on the stone without the 5 pounds of kimchi they dump in it (which, mind you, they re-served to another table after my entire table dipped their possible herpe/hepatitis/or otherwise ridden chopsticks in! DISGUSTING!) I'm cooking it, I'm eating it, and I'm paying for it dammit!, so leave me the fuck alone! Not to mention the fact that I had to ask for water several times and ALL the servers had the nerve to have a family style luncheon off to the side, while their guests wait for them to um, lets see, SERVE THEM?!!! I'm so pissed that I can't even write a cohesive review. I'd rather go to HMart, buy my own ingredients and cook it in the comfort of my own home instead of being disrespected by some bitter-ass Korean bitches that are employed in the SERVICE industry for crying out loud!!! Oh, and P.S. the one unisex bathroom is located all the way in the back of the restaurant, which you have to literally walk through the kitchen in order to get to it. Talk about sanitation issues, considering we're dealing with serving raw meat here. All in all, a terrible excuse for a restaurant. If you are a masochist and want to be abused, then be my guest. Scratch that, be THEIR guest.
(1)Steve M.
Went there for lunch with a friend. We're both American. Most customers were Korean. When the waitress brought only four dishes of ponchon, I asked is that all we get, she said yes. Looked around and saw that the Korean customers was getting much more. Talk about discrimination! Waited 20 minutes for a water-refill. Waited another 20 minutes for the check. Place was not that busy. Go for food only. Service and attitudes stinks!
(3)Jennifer J.
This is my go-to Korean restaurant in Chicago! It's always packed and for a good reason. Go early on weekend nights, especially when it's cold so you can get a spot indoors. The place does move really quick if you are waiting for a table so don't give up entirely. Bul-gol-gi is great but my favorite is the spicy pork dish called Doeji Gui. It's very similar to how the Bul-gol-gi beef is cooked, but the flavors are much more spicier. I'm on a forever quest to find great spicy dishes and this falls up there on my favorites list. Personally, I would skip the do-it-yourself bbq step since you can have it cooked even better by the real cooks in the back. It's fun with a group of people to bbq at the table, but it's also not necessary for a good meal. The banchan (side dishes) are always great and they give you a great variety...about 12-14 of them. You can always ask for me, which I can't resist. Fantastic prices and we never leave spending more than $35 (including tip) for two people. Bf is a super big fan of this place. -Good tip: Make sure you either don't take your coat inside or if you do, hang it up in the closet closed closets at the back of the place. If you don't, your clothing will smell like a Korean bbq and I'm not sure if your fellow commuters during the work week want to smell that at 8am.
(5)Capt M.
Cho Sun NOT Ok. Rude Rude RUDE service. I won't be going back, sorry. Restaurant is open till 10:30PM. Walked in at 9:45PM and there was only one table open. Tried to order a couple of items on menu, waitress accepted order then came out and said they only had ONE dish on the menu available, #6. Beef was not marinated but did taste good once cooked with garlic and some sides. By 10:30PM there was only one table besides us with customers still eating. Their staff (all female) had one busser standing at the table giving them dirty looks. After they got the hint they left. Then same young lady came over to our table where two us were still eating and started with dirty looks. I asked her, "Do you have a question?" she then walked away. We got the hint. Even though one of our four in our group was Korean, we were still treating like dog poo. Sorry, I will never return. Too many choices of restaurants in Chicago to be treated like this.
(1)Jae K.
Every time I visit my brother in Chicago, I HAVE to make a stop here. The restaurant is extremely small and there is always a line, but that's a good sign of a tasty joint. Korean restaurants (my s(e)oul food) are always fun because you can cook at the table. There are always tons of little dishes as well. We usually get a bunch of thinly sliced meat that we cook with garlic and onions. This is usually dipped in a sesame seed sauce with pepper and salt. The second course (if you aren't stuffed to the brim) is to make a sort of fried rice with all the remaining vegetables, meat, and red pepper sauce. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The way you know that it's a good Korean restaurant? A Korean person (me) actually recommends it. The same question for the Lou? None. Nuff' said.
(5)Amy L.
I want to write a love sonnet to Cho Sun Ok. That is how much I am in love with this place. It's definitely worth it to grab a Korean friend to come with you if you have one. You'll get more food, better service (sometimes), and tons of side dishes! Whenever I come here, usually with a bunch of friends, we always get: Bulgogi (for two) Chadulbaegi (for two) and Japche The chadulbaegi is especially amazing. I am so thankful to have Korean friends who introduce me to such heavenly food. And then afterwards, they take all your leftover side dishes and everything and make this AWESOME kimchi fried rice that will make your face melt with deliciousness. Now, the downside of Cho Sun Ok is that there is almost ALWAYS a line out the door. If you don't want to wait in line for 30+ minutes, come in the middle of the day when everyone else is at work. Or come on Thanksgiving, when everyone else is home with their families. Those are the only two times I've ever seen the restaurant even partially empty. It also helped that I lived like, literally a block away from this place, so it was never a big deal to me if the place was packed and I'd have to come back another time. I can see how it would be very frustrating if you made a special trip to come up here though. The service is not that great. The Korean ladies are nice-ish, but always very abrupt and barely ever talk to you. Even if you're Korean. And they're not very good about refilling your water, so ration it out.. like you're in the desert.. Also wear clothes you won't mind washing right after because you will be very deliciously stinky afterwards. But don't worry. It's all worth it for the previously mentioned face-melting food, I promise.
(5)Jinhee S.
if you're really picky about restaurant service and cant stand dirty bathrooms, then i suggest you dont step foot into this restaurant. BUT, if u want to try some bombass korean bbq, then youre def. at the right spot. although you may have to wait awhile to be seated, this restaurant has some fresh meat, like cha-dol, kalbi, and bulgogi and their variety of seafoods is very delicious. yes, you may wait 45min-1hr to be seated. yes, the bathrooms very dirty and in the back of the kitchen. yes, the service is horrible. you may have to wait awhile to even get a simple drink. (but remember, its byob =) ! ) but wat else would you need? they bring out ur order of meat, plentiful side dishes that are so good, water, and at the end of your meal, they even make fried rice for you. all you have to do is just cook the meat and eat and enjoy. =)
(4)Hubert L.
Wow. Tried to go here several times in the past but the lines were always too long. Hands down best KBBQ place I've had in Chicago. There's already a ton of reviews of this place so I'll keep it short and sweet: Pros: BYOB Tasty meats Tasty and fresh sides. The Fried Kim Chi Rice they make you after your KBBQ. Cons: The disoriented look on your face when you walk to the bathroom and you see a guy cutting up meat. (Pro for spectating regulars)
(5)Phillip Y.
I really love this place.. its cheap, its small and the waitresses and sajangnim (boss) are the bomb.. people complain about the service and i don't get it, maybe because my family has been coming here since my father was like 25 or 30 or so and I have been coming here for a very long time as well.. everytime we step in.. we're greeted from 25 feet away and I don't mind that.. and I don't mind the small counter that is next to the register because when its packed and the line is out the door like it almost always is.. we're allowed to eat on the 1 by 3 foot piece of wood where the food that comes out of the kitchen sits on for a few seconds before they are served.. I do not know if they let people sit there to eat but it is inconvenient for the waitstaff and for the person eating there so I guess don't ask about that spot if its your first time. On to the food... the chadol of course is good.. 2 orders for like 26 or something I dont know I don't even check the cost at this place because its almost half of the other korean joints.. the panfried squid or octopus is also very good... vegetables very crunchy and the 8 legged slimes plentiful.. the soups that i always order for sides is the beef soon dooboo or the yoo ggae jang.. its a good spicy soup that can spice up your meal.. I honestly think that this is the only korean place that doesnt reuse their side dishes... mostly because its mixed at the end in the stone pot.. but you can just tell that every side order that comes out is fresh and untouched by another patrons chopsticks or fork or fingers... others can say what they want to say but there are plenty of korean joints around the area that just reserve side plates.. but thats not my battle to fight... overall.. service is awesome.. food is awesome... cameras watching your car in the back in case a horrible driver/parker hits your car.. but they're gone anyways by the time you try to chase them down.. i have seen MANY A MANY of cars being dented in the back lot... i would say one out of four times I go there I've seen some idiot hit another car and just speed off like nothing happened.. so my only tip for this place would be to park on the street.. there are plenty around.. alot of movement in the area so people are coming and going very frequently.. be patient and look for a spot.. unless you don't care that your depreciating asset will trade in for 300 bucks at the car lot...
(5)Eric V.
Bad service? Check. Cramped space? Check. Poor Ventilation? Check. Really good Korean food?? CHECK!! If you can get past a wait staff that doesn't seem to care for your presence then you'll leave with a happy stomach. The galbi (which is cooked for you in the back kitchen) is great, one of my favs in the city. I'm not even sure how to order the next dish (our Korean friend ordered for us while we sat and nodded in agreement) but I'll describe it as best I can. The dish starts with a plate of Cha Dol Bae Gi (thinly sliced beef brisket) that you cook yourself on the table's communal stone pan. Cha Dol Bae Gi is un-marinated, mainly to show off the quality of the beef, so you get julienned green onions and sesame oil with salt & pepper as your condiments. It's simple food, but in this case simple is good. Once you get through that your waitress will come over to throw a few cups of rice, kimchi, and some other ingredients and seasonings into the same pan where you just cooked your beef. Net effect is a tasty, slightly spicy, paella-esque Korean fried rice that forms a nice crisp bottom layer. It does get pretty busy around dinner time, so I'd definitely recommend eating either early or late.
(4)Emily C.
Korean BBQ. The food factor: Got the short ribs (delicious), and the marinated beef. The beef was grilled on the BBQ plate at our table and was very succulent. The sauce was perfect. All of this came with a ton of tiny appetizer plates, which were fun. We also got the seafood pancake. It was great how our server cut it into pieces at our table using scissors - I love bucking cultural norms! But I thought it was too soggy. My friend really liked it, though, because it had either squid or octopus in it. The social factor: Previous reviews had said that if you're not Korean, you should be prepared to be treated like crap. I'm not Korean, so I came armed (emotionally). But our service was very prompt and polite - I've got no complaints. Maybe they read about their service habits on Yelp and decided to change? One strange aspect was that they do not take names, and so you just have to wait in line to get in. It was pretty cold and the line went out the door. I noticed that Korean people kept cutting in front, but I could not tell whether they were actually getting better service or whether they were part of large groups that had a designated waiting person at the front of the line. I am 99% sure that I saw one entire family cut the whole line and get seated immediately. But that's probably not the host's fault, because he was just calling over the first people in line without really taking tabs of who was cutting whom. Finally, the concept of the line was quite overlooked. It became more of a mob as more people showed up. I know that lines vs. swarms can be a cultural thing, so take this nugget as a piece of advice: don't let others walk all over you and then get upset. If there's no line, stand your ground. The food will make it all better.
(3)Phil A.
I was introduced to Korean BBQ almost 10 years ago and this was maybe the third restaurant of this cuisine that I tried. It has since been my absolute favorite. The crowded room usually has a line for evening dining but it's well worth the wait. The staff is all Korean and barely speak English which is a great sign of it's authenticity. Most of the patrons were all Korean too when I started visiting Cho Sun Ok which I think is a testament to it's quality. The wait staff comes across as rude but I think it's part of the charm and maybe the norm for Korean society? The owner is always there wearing his white butchers coat watching over everything. The bul gogi is my measuring stick when it comes to Korean and is always phenomenal and grilled in front of you by the staff. I recently had a spicy pork dish as well that I think is even better than old faithful bul gogi. It has changed to BYOB so unfortunately no more huge OB or Hite's to complement the food so bring your own. Also be careful using it as a date place - I brought a girl there once and she was attacked by the "meat steam" as we called it from the food grilling in front of you which didn't end well for me that night.
(5)Suzy D.
This place is great, but San Soo Gab San is still my favorite. Although, I do like the cozy feeling of this restaurant a bit more than the hustle and bustle of SSGS. I must admit that the seafood pancake at Cho Sun Ok is more delicous than the seafood pancake at SSGS. However the wan kalbi at SSGS is the thing I love most in life (today anyways)!
(4)Eugene K.
The Good: Very good Cha Dol Bae Gi, refreshing Mool Kim Chi, Clean place to eat with great service (better than most Korean restaurants)! Also at the end of your meal they make Kim Chi fried rice. A little tip is to thin it out and let the rice crackle up a bit Noo Rung Ji Droooool. Prices are very reasonable. The Bad: Hope you're trained in some close quarter combat. Space is small! But it adds to the charm of looking like a place restaurant straight from Seoul. The Ugly: Long lines! Lucky for us we got a table right around 7pm on a Monday after we were seated we saw the lines piling up and people coming in to ask for the wait. Even though I shouldn't be concerned it made me feel a bit rushed out of there so they can clear seating. The bathroom is also located through the kitchen. This is definitely the new place to go when my friends come from out of town. It's now BYOB since they lost their liquor license. Be sure to bring a couple bottles of soju and OB for the full experience. Portions are more than enough and I got my fill of fat for the week. A tip on service would be to yell! A lot of times I hear Korean restaurants have bad service, but it's just the culture. If you need something holler and they'll get it for you. Also like other Yelpers would suggest, wear clothes you are ready to wash. Your dog/cat/hungry child might get confused and eat it when you leave this place (or any other Korean BBQ joint)
(4)Brian J.
I really enjoyed my experiences at Cho Sun Ok. My first visit I went with a friend (Korean, to boot) who helped me understand a bit more about Korean food a culture. I had experienced Korean barbecue in the past but I think it's much easier to get into it and really understand what's going on when you're with someone Korean on the first go around. It also helps avoid issues that can arise with the language barrier... that is, if there is one. I was THE ONLY non-Korean in the very full restaurant this first time, which is always a ringing endorsement for a Korean restaurant! The chadolbaegi is really delicious, I enjoyed it immensely. I do prefer a charcoal grill over the hot stone dish which can make things uncomfortable if the grease builds up and starts splattering (I lost a few arm hairs that night). The meat melts in your mouth, absolutely delicious albeit a bit greasier. The banchan (small side dishes including kimchi, potato salad, fish, seaweed, etc.) is tasty and plentiful and fills up the entire table. Service is rushed, but it's typically 2 or 3 women running around like crazy because the place is packed. The joy of cooking your own food is that it's a pretty self contained experience once you've got the ingredients. Jump right in there and start cooking when they bring the meat over, otherwise they might think you don't know what you're doing and start cooking for you. What fun is that? Besides, they don't have time for that shit! My last visit, I enjoyed a LARGE bowl of bibimbop for lunch. I was going to take a picture before I devoured it but it was way too good looking and I forgot. I have uploaded a picture of the food, I took it when I was about halfway done. With this HUGE bowl of delicious fresh vegetables, beef and a fried egg came a bowl of rice to mix in, hot sauce, 4 banchan (korean potato salad, seaweed, potato & sweet potato and some tangy kimchi) and all you can drink water. The price? $10 covered food, tax and a 20% tip. Pretty damn good for one of the most filling lunches I've had in a long time. I also tried out some of the Korean I've been practicing. As with anywhere else, if you speak the language you open doors. I think my server got a kick out of me ordering and thanking her in Korean (I'm big, white and kind of dopey looking so I don't think she expected it). About halfway through the meal, with me still speaking as much Korean as I could muster, she started passing things to me with her right hand, with the left hand on her forearm, as is common (I believe) etiquette. I found this interesting because I have never experienced this at this restaurant or any other until I tried out my language skills. I wonder if there is a connection? Anyone care to guess? Overall, a great restaurant that I have grown very fond of over the past month. I'll definitely make it part of my routine from now on! I just recommend you prepare before you go because I think ANY Korean BBQ restaurant can be a little intimidating if you don't know what you're doing. Steve L.'s review reminded me -- the panjan (seafood pancake) is really good, I highly recommend checking it out but it's awfully large for just two people, if you plan on eating everything else that is on it's way out!
(4)Chen S.
The best Korean restaurant I have ever been to. All Korean people around speaking Korean makes me feel like eating in the Korean drama. We went to this place at 2PM Saturaday and luckily only a couple waiting ahead of us. I recommend No.6 which is beef with fried rice. Also, the tofu soup is so awesome!!! Very full dinner that we take almost half of what we ordered to go. We will definitely recommend this great restaurant to my friends!!!
(5)Sarah H.
This is one of the best Korean BBQ places in Chicago. When you go you MUST order cha dol bae ki. It's their specialty. It's ridiculously delicious. 1 serving is ridiculously large, so be prepared to split a lot of your food. If you order naengmyun, you should split the bowl two ways as well (even three...) They don't take reservations. And they don't like it if you sit around and talk after you eat. If you are wondering why the servers are glaring you down after you are done eating, that's because they want you out - FAST. (If you couldn't tell, the restaurant is like the size of a college dorm room). Also, I would advise that you use the restroom before coming - the restroom is behind the kitchen, so you have to walk through the place where they wash dishes. Of course, if you could care less, whatever floats your boat. And service is just barely mediocre - even if you're Korean. Of course, if you're a regular, they will give you more meat per serving and give you little extras (yay). But the food is just amazing for a cheap price.
(5)Christina F.
Being Korean, nothing really compares to an authentic Korean meal that Mom and Dad make BUT holy crapola this place was good! It's a small place but all the employees are super nice and the food is delicious! Went there for a friend's bday and we left in food coma. It was even good enough to let Mom and Dad know about and of course they already knew about it. ;) I'd highly suggest that you get their earlier rather than later so you don't have to wait for a table. Mmmmm, droooool. Oh, and although parking in the city sucks, this place has free street parking right on Lincoln which is super convenient. Gorge on, my friends.
(4)Jimmy P.
Very good Korean barbecue. In particular I like their marinated crab side dish for the barbecue. Minor complaints: Kimchi could be more heavily marinated - but that's more personal taste. Meat sometimes tastes like it was frozen, although it's still good. Service: Typical service for Korean restaurants. If you don't ask for service they will ignore you. They aren't being rude (so I've learned). They're busy. My favorite Korean restaurant within Chicago limits.
(4)Heather K.
I'm a little tired of people complaining about the Korean servers. Every korean place i've ever been to are all cold and too point. I don't know or care if it's a race issue, Korean food is out of this world, i'll deal with it. There wasn't anything unusual about that at Cho Sun Ok. This place is tiny and we had to wait awhile. Everything was fantastic but the jab chae was edible but far to oily for my liking. Otherwise, 4 stars and two blocks away!! I'll be back :)
(4)William W.
The bulgogi was wonderful. The meat was so delectable that I found myself sadly staring into the pan when we finally finished all of the delicious meat. I also had the bibimbop which was a very good companion to the bulgogi. The service however was extremely awkward. While they did bring out the food in a timely manner and ask for my order promptly, the waitress made no attempt to be nice or particularly helpful and only came to start the bulgogi after she saw my friend try to do it himself. Regardless of the service, the food is great and I definitely suggest this place if you're in the mood for korean barbecue.
(4)Jason C.
Best Corean grub on the cheap in Chitown, period. Been going here since I was a young pup. Dad's friends with the owner of the place, and he's obviously still going strong to this day. Now you can't even get a seat on the weekends unless you're THAT starved for a fix of some sweet smelling kogi.
(5)Benson C.
This place never fails to deliver great food no matter how busy or crowded it gets in this intimate restaurant off Lincoln! I think the disclaimer from a previous review about making sure you know how to order and expect from Cho Sun Ok. First, the waitresses may speak and understand some English, but you have to be patient and understanding with misdelivered orders. Second, they are in a rush and are pretty busy, so don't be offended if they haven't visited your table lately. Third, if you're trying to flag down your waiter, it might be better to physically or vocally call them over to your table. With that being said, the chadolbegi (sp?), which is the thinly sliced meat prepared for your grilling pleasure, and then dipped in the sesame oil and pepper is AMAZING! I'm drooling just thinking about the food offered here. I've also had their kalbi (bbq short ribs) and soondubu jjigae (spicy tofu stew) which also deliciously AWESOME! If you can tolerate the close quarters of seating, the so-so service, and the random bathroom location behind the kitchen, GO TO Cho Sun Ok! You will be amazed at how great their food tastes!
(4)Vivek B.
My favorite Korean BBQ! I have been going here for years... and over time, this one has become the first choice when I think of Korean food. In fact, some of my friends from out of town (even New York) make it a point to stop by when they are in town. I am not Korean - not by far. Not even white... so, no you don't have to be Korean to eat here. And you don't need Korean friends either, though the couple of times that we went with a Korean friend, we did get this particular soup, that we have not found again. But then it was my friend who knew how to order it. Not that they would not serve us. What you do need is to have an adventurous spirit, and have your expectations set right. The waitresses are not very fluent in English but by no means rude. The place is always packed and they have their hands full. Try the service on those rare occasions when the place is less busy, and they will come to your table and grill the meat for you. And the bathroom is in the back, and you come out smelling like BBQ, and the decor is terrible... but when it comes to things that really matter to me in Korean food life... the Kimchi Fried Rice cooked in some beef fat, with a good cold beer (BYOB - so take your pick), there is not another place that I would be than at Cho Sun OK. Warm weather kills my appetite, and I stay away in the summer. But, as the autumn leaves fall, I rekindle my love for this place. Cho Sun OK is certainly one of the better things about the Chicago winter.
(5)Anna G.
You are probably going to have to wait, and that's something you're going to have to get over, because antsy as you(I) will get, it will be so worth it. First of all, it is just fun. you have your own little grill and if your server decides you are not completely functionally retarded (she had, appropriately, no faith in me) you will get to cook it yourself. I know people say you don't go to a restaurant to cook your own food, but yes you do. You go out to not have to meal plan, grocery shop, prep and clean. Actually applying the heat is rad. They give you bowls of all kinds of things to dip, sauce and otherwise accessorize your food. if you are with me, i will eat all the kim chi so ask for more. Everything we got was super tasty, I recommend the BBQ beef and the spicy squid (I love squid but we are in the midwest, so it's easy for it to be bad, and it's good here so eat up)
(5)Jason S.
I'm a korean and when i look what american people or mostly what white people are eating, it is hilarious. Korean never order such food. What I see is, they order Bul-Go-Gi which is one of the most easiest food that Koreans can make and it is not popular in korea. When u go there, order Kalbi and SamKyupSal and must eat korean pancake. Some of the food there, they are too lazy to cook, so they use this weird machine. That's the reason why I'm taking 1 star off. Another reason for taking out 1 more star is because they never have seats available. Price is somewhat expensive compare to what you're eating. If anyone wants to know good korean restaurant in Chicago just yelp me message me or sth cuz im always online.
(3)Katy O.
I have to agree with what a lot of the other posters were saying. It does seem like you have to be Korean to get good service here. However, my stepmom is Korean and I've been to a million Korean restaurants and the service here is about what you'd get no matter which Korean restaurant you went to and no matter how many Koreans you brought with you. You don't get American service, and that's okay as long as you realize it going in! My friend and I thought that we had specifically asked for the dish that gets the rice dumped in at the end. We were totally psyched for this dish. At the end we were told that we had ordered the wrong dish... I think we just didn't ask correctly. Confusing. Yes, you will reek like barbeque after you leave here. At least it's a good reek, right? As for the food, it is pretty good. I prefer San Soo Gab San a little further north.
(3)Kathy C.
The cha dol bae gi is awesome here, along with the fried rice you get at the end (it always ends up in takeout boxes because we've stuffed from everything else). Everyone talks about the service. Yes, even as a Korean I agree, they're not the friendliest, but as some reviewers said, you're not there for the service, you're there for the food. So just enjoy the food!
(4)Dave L.
One of the best places for a great Korean BBQ. However, service sucks. Meat quality is good and very tasty. Many options to choose from. The restaurants can get kind of hot when crowded and parking is such a pain. Despite the lack of good service, the place is well worth the wait and dining experience.
(4)Tracy L.
We went with my friend who spoke Korean so she did all the ordering for us. But even if you don't speak the language, I'm sure with some pointing and gesturing to the menu items you could order with minimal frustration. There were 3 of us, but we ordered the thinly sliced beef, which comes at a $30 minimum for two people. That was more than enough because they gave us all these side dishes (favorite: potato salad, tempura, & green onion leaves that go very well with the beef). We came around 1:30ish & it moderately busy, but we still got good service. A server came around a few times to check on us & make sure our beef was cooking well. At the end, they give you rice and mix it with your leftover side dishes for a Korean-style fried rice. In my opinion, I don't like it as much as other Asian fried rice dishes but by that time, I was so incredibly full that I may have been just a little bit biased. I am planning on checking out more Korean barbecue places because this place was so yummy. One last tip: come here on a VERY empty stomach to really milk your money's worth.
(4)Laurence K.
Other than being 100 degrees while we waited for a table This place has really tasty food . The service is a bit slow only 2 servers for whole place that seats about (50 jammed in) I've been here several times this time we had the marinated beef which was delicious. We also had the cold buckwheat noodle soup Bibim naeng myun which was also good. The noodles are wonderfully chewy and with the cold beef broth it's quite refreshing.
(4)Tatawan P.
I found my new favorite Korean BBQ restaurant that really blows the others away. I came here last night with a party of 4 and below is the verdict. How they Rock- non smoky because they use a large store shallow bowl as a grill that minimizes smoke and cooks more evenly, they make a fried rice towards the end with the sauces left in the grill and leftover panchan!, BYOB, and just awesome tasting food. I took out a star because the service still could be better, I guess I have high expectations when it comes to being 5 star. If you are in their peak rush time, they will bring out the food really fast and rush you. Doeji Gui- bbq beef sliced and marinated Galbi Gui - marinated bbq beef on bone Yukagae Jang - hot spicy beef soup (unique smoky flavor that differs from other places) Korean Pancake $64 total for 4 people without tip. (we brought our own drinks) The place is also BYOB, which really makes it possible for an excellent night. I picked up a bottle or red wine and Heffe-Weizen beer at Jewl-Osco that is a block away from the restaurant. Tip- be prepared to wait to get in- weekend peek dinner hours will have a wait. They DON'T take your name down, you just have to stand there and remember what party is before and after you- kind of like an Honor system. Dress in something you dont mind smelling like bbq meat after.
(4)Jayne K.
Cho Sun Ok is the second of my top 2 Korean BBQ restaurants in Chicago (San Soo Gab San is my fave!)...Be forewarned: I judge all K BBQ based on 2 dishes: Bulgogi and Kalbi. I may be a woman of limited taste but I know what I like and besides, Kimchee is Kimchee wherever you go. SSGS gets the slight nod here taste-wise but Cho Sun Ok has several advantages as well. First of all, it's closer and the parking's better. It's less expensive and the service is slightly better (though I think this has something to do with the location and the clientele rather than the K BBQ experience as a whole). It's BYOB and at the end, they pan fry up all the leftover rice, side dishes and meat for you to take home. Delicious. Though I still like San Soo Gab San better, Cho Sun Ok is still a great option and perhaps less intimidating if you're not with someone Korean. Definitely give this place a try!
(4)n l.
My friend's Korean colleague told us about this place. We tried to get here a little early to avoid the long lines so we only had to wait a little bit. Everything was absolutely perfection!!! I think this is the best Korean food I've ever had. Had the typical Kalbi and BulGoGi and some soups. I will definitely bring some friends back here. There is parking on the street, just remember to come early to avoid long lines!
(5)Francis A.
Definitely one of my favorite Korean BBQ places. The service is extremely nice and very helpful (if you don't know what the hell you're doing/eating). It's cheap and it fills you and your friends up. oh, and it's delicious.
(4)Nate C.
If you like... well... food I say a meal at Cho Sun Ok is worth your time. I've been a number of times and loved it every time. A few suggestions: bring your own booze (think soju); wait in line patiently, there is no maitre d' so pushing your way to the front will only get you glared at; try something other than bul-go-gi, it's all amazing.
(5)Eliza C.
Step 1: WAIT. If you've come during the dinner rush, be prepared to wait in a line that goes out the door. You're also going to need to be really patient. Seating options aren't all that great so it ain't easy matching groups to the tables that open up. If you get seated before the 5 people in front of you, mumble an apology as you squeeze past them. Step 2: ORDER. Seriously. If you don't order the moment you're seated, you could be waiting awhile to get someone's attention later. Get an order of the chadolbaegi for each person and split a naengmyun. If you need time, you'll most likely need to wave someone over when you're ready to order. Step 3: EAT. If you ordered the chadolbaegi, be prepared for the fried rice. Once you're done cooking the sliced beef, one of the ladies will come over and create a tasty fried rice with the kimchi and other banchan that's left over. Woe to you if you ordered a naengmyun for yourself instead of sharing it. Though this isn't the first place I think of when I want Korean food, they have solid Korean fare.
(3)Jurgen J.
This has one of the best kalbi i've ever tasted in my 20 years of life. The outside is very crispy and the inside is moist and juicy. The other dishes may not stand out from other korean restaurant, but i really enjoy eating here. The large plate, in which you start with beef slices, and then continued with frying the rice with kimchi in the end is also delicious. I would highly recommend this place, at least you should try the kimchi and one of the dishes with the fried rice at the end.
(4)richard p.
Probably the best Korean restaurant in the CHI area. A very authentic experience for anyone that is not familiar with Korean culture. We go at least 2x a week. Highly recommend the a) Kalbee b) Kimchee Chigeae c) Cha Dul Gui (meat with no flavoring, but dipping sauce). If going for a light lunch, try the bibim bop and a Korean traditional dish, Nang Myung (noodles for warm days). Btw, for the price / value focused consumer, this is a great BUY. Enjoy!
(5)Nikki P.
Been coming here at least once a month for the last 20 years. The service is never good, but the food is always fantastic so it's a fair trade. Bulgogi, Japchae & Kimchi is what we always order, and sometimes the seafood pancake if we are really hungry.
(5)Lim K.
My husband and I ordered two rice cake dumpling soup and grilled mackerel for lunch. The soups were excellent. The dumplings tasted like homemade. The mackerel was not salty and grilled perfectly. this place has some good food. The only complaint would be that the ladies work there were not very attentive. No automatic water refills without asking.
(4)Vicki K.
I've been to Korean restaurants before, and I was really looking forward to Cho Sun Ok because I was in search for some good soft tofu soup. I had just had some in LA and was looking for a place in Chicago that hit my craving. I ordered the tofu soup and my husband ordered the korean barbeque. Since it was only one order for the meat, they cooked it for him away from the table. Unfortunately, it was slightly over cooked. I think we decided we prefer the charcoal style at San Soo Gab San more, but the plus side is that you don't reek as much as the smoke when you leave. My tofu soup came and I was expecting to drop my own egg inside of it, like I did in LA. Only when I ate it, I realized it was somewhere already mixed inside of the soup. Also, I didn't get my rice in a hot stone bowl- which is the part I really enjoy. However, I will say I enjoyed the side dishes and that I appreciated the fact that they continued to give us seconds when they saw that we had finished them. Overall, it was pretty good, but I'm still on the search for my tofu- guess I'll have to wait for when I go to LA for now.
(3)Dennis A.
While in Chicago on vacation we planned to meet Korean friends for dinner. They asked us to choose the restaurant, since we had a full schedule and were dependent on public transportation. A staff member at our hotel, who was also Korean, recommended Cho Sun Ok. She said it would be a long haul for our friends, considering where they live, but don't worry -- they will not miss a chance to dine at Cho Sun Ok. She was right. They jumped at the chance. I second the comments of other reviewers that the service really does suck. Reading other reviews, that seems to be the rule rather than the exception. The service does not suck, however, if you are in the company of a Korean tae kwon do master with a magnetic personality. We were, and benefited from the association. I couldn't get the wait staff's attention to save my life, or to get refill on my water for that matter. But Jin could get whatever he wanted. The food was wonderful. We had an item that does not appear among the menu selections you'll find on their website. It was beef brisket sliced deli-thin, then flash-fried in a stone pan over a burner in the center of the table. I forget the name, but it's in on the first page of the menu and it's apparently the house speciality. The side dishes & kimchis were plentiful and flavorful. Once we finished the main course the wait staff came to our table and whipped up a yummy fried rice using the side dishes we hadn't finished, similar to a dolsot bibimbap. Overall a great meal and a good experience. Had we been unable to take advantage of a loophole the sucky-service rule, the service would have tipped the scales toward a 3-star rating. If I had easily gotten a refill on my water, or if anyone had thought to ask me what I wanted to drink (beer please!) it might have become a 5.
(4)Lawrence Y.
A friend invited me to have KBBQ with him at CSO with his friends yesterday, and I didn't even have to think about it. We went, and there was a pretty long line out the door as it was. Luckily, they sat our group of 4 within five minutes. The restaurant is small and crowded, so I had hoped the food would live up to the hype. We had about 9 sides of banchan, no potatoes though (said they were out). We got two orders of bulgogi (although I was really craving some kalbi), but it was pretty good. Sides were all good - and she made fried rice afterwards. The servers we had weren't as attentive, but I know how busy it was. They were bumping into each other all over the place and even spilled something on the table behind us. At any rate, I think I liked the food enough to come back again. Hoping for better service on a less crowded night.
(3)Kristen C.
God, this place was amazing. Be prepared to wait in a line outside to even get in the door. It goes pretty fast, though, and it's WORTH IT. We started out with fried dumplings and the buckwheat noodles in the spicy broth. One order of noodles consists of TWO bowls FYI. There were three of us sharing, and with just the appetizers, we already had food to take home. Not to mention, they gave us all of these small bowls of various seasoned veggies, tofu, etc. We also got the slices of beef to grill at our table, and this was my favorite part! The beef is tender and sliced very thin, and you can add the ingredients they give you at the table to spice it up. Then, when you are out of meat, they bring rice and fry it up (with the remaining ingredients on the table) in the meat juice on the skillet! SO GOOD. Plus, it's BYOB!! One of us just grabbed some beers at the Jewel down the street while the others waited in line. My one criticism would be the service. We had to wait a while for water, which we really needed because of the spicyness, and it was hard to get the waitress's attention. That is why I didn't give it 5 stars. But if you have never tried Korean BBQ, start here!
(4)Rithwick R.
The lines can be long and the service is very abrupt, but boy is it worth it! My favorite is the Chadal Gui (unmarinated thin beef slices for self bbq). Served with great sides and sauces. The Kalbi can be hit-or-miss.
(5)Edwin L.
If you know me, I love Korean BBQ and I'm always down to check out a new korean restaurant! but like clock work, the beautful bbq smell over powers my overcoat and hair... and i always find myself going out to a club afterwards, i wonder why do all the big girl always hollar at me... ^_^ j/k..... Back to my review... I had to check out this spot a few times before i posted a review... So.......... this is why I provided this joint with only three stars: Here is the run down... -=Service=- My complaint is more with the service. Their servers were rude every time and rushed even for Korean standards. I notice that the Korean customers where receiving better service, am I being singled out cause I'm not Korean? I recommend San Soo Gap San over this spot as they are more personable. -=Food=- I can deal with the bad service just as long as the food was awesome... but in their case, their food was simply alright. don't get me wrong or anything, it food wasn't bad, simply nothing amazing. For Korean food, I recommend San Soo Gap San.
(3)Jason L.
Let me first start by stating that I've been a customer of this place for 6+ years. The service + quality of food have gone down the drain during the last 2 yrs, and I never plan to make another visit... EVER. The quality of meat is not like how it used to be 2 years ago. It is dry and tough. This place is definitely sourcing their meat from a different/cheaper place. The servers rush your grill to get you out the door, so they can seat the next group as fast as humanly possible. I understand that there are people waiting for a table, but jeezzz... give me at least an hour to finish the food. I'm paying my hard earned money to enjoy a decent meal. Don't rush me out the door. Lastly, it looks like they recently lost their liquor license. They do allow BYOB, but for people who don't want to bother going to a liquor store before dinner... this is a huge hassle. All in all, they lost a loyal customer and judging by comments from many of my friends who used to frequent this joint, they will lose many more going forward.
(1)Minna A.
I love Cho Sun Ok! Although.. one star taken off for the small space and crowded long wait! Anytime I have a friend who wants to try Korean food for their first time, I make certain to take them here, and it hasn't disappointed yet! I always get the chadolbaegee grill. With all the side dishes, it's always sufficiently filling! The best part, however, is at the END of the meal!!!! The ladies bring out rice, kimchi and other mystery ingredients to make a mixed fried rice from the stone used to grill your meats! This is a favorite of mine and my extended family. It's also my cousin's favorite restaurant of all time and... I plan on making him pay the next time we go! :)
(4)Edward M.
I love this place; between Crisp for lunch/korean chicken wings and here for dinner, you can basically cover all of your korean food cravings (and maybe San Soo Gab San for late late night). but this is the only place i go to once a week in terms of bbq, you should only order the cha dol bae gi, like 99% percent of the other tables around you. the portions are big enough, not to mention all of the side dishes (more and better than any other place in chicago. and bottomless, of course) and the signature kimchi fried rice at the end (make sure to scrape the best part off the bottom of the pan!). if you have the space, order the cold buckwheat noodles too; a refreshing, palate-cleansing contrast to the stronger korean flavors the parts of the usual cho sun ok visit that do suck also make it a great experience, like a badge of honor. i'm talking about the long waits in a line that usually spills out the door and crammed "waiting area". and the curt (but efficient) service. and the cozy interior. but really it just means that this place is worth the wait. sit back in line, make some new friends. and if you're a good customer, they'll even give you some love from time to time. the other thing to watch out: apparently they just turned BYOB! alcohol and korean bbq is a required combo, so make sure to bring your own soju or beer. not wine though; that's just weird based on the food and the obvious pride they take in their business (mint gum at the end? yes please!), give some love back. and join the club!
(5)Bora U.
I've been coming to Cho Sun Ok since I was a young girl. This was one of my grandmother's favorite and became a family tradition to come here everytime we came to Chicago to visit (about twice a year). Now that I live in Chicago, this is the first place I think to take my parents, friends and co-workers. The ONLY reason to come to CSO is for the "cha-dol bae-gi" which is thinly sliced brisket. Chadol is a fattier part of the cow so you'll notice the fat creates a marbel-like pattern. I've noticed some of the reviews (complaints) about poor service and minor incidents of "racism." Really people - Koreans function better when asked. The concept of "service" is very American - the only country where people tip the way they do. Anyway, this will be more of a Korean BBQ 101 rather than a review. Once you order, the waitress will come out with a stone grill and a large assortment of traditional side dishes. They'll also bring out side dishes which are meant to be eaten with the meat like the green onion salad, marinated onions, and oil/salt/pepper dip. In addition, they'll give you a bowl of cold greens - I've been scolded many times for not touching the stuff. The waitress tells me each time that it's good to eat with the meat to ensure that the fat and cholesteral come out of your system (I wouldn't WebMD her on that). Once the stone grill is nice and hot, the waitress will come over and start cooking some of the meat. For the more proficient (or the regulars) they'll usually leave you to your own devices - especially if you look like you know what you're doing. Just a note, when grilling Korean bbq - remember it's the one-flip rule. Cook well enough on one side, then flip over and cook on the other - none of that flipping over 5 times to make sure it's done on both sides. If you're running low on side dishes, it's okay to ask for more. Actually, it's encouraged - the waitresses will act annoyed, but it's a compliment to them because you're letting them know that the sides taste good! After you're done with the meat the waitress will come by and ask if you'd like stir-fryed rice (bokkum-bap). This is the BEST part. She'll mix in all your left over side dishes along with rice and butter. She'll stir all the ingredients in and let the rice simmer on the stone grill until it's ready. Then, take your spoon and dig in! I've had the bulgogi and galbi at CSO. Doesn't compare to the chadol baegi. I've also had the naegmyun and soondooboo jjigae there - not so great. Just stick with the chadol baegi. $20.95/2 person serving. They give VERY generous portions.
(5)Meredith B.
mmmmmmmmmmm..... just mmmmmm...... I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, and now that I live but a half mile away, I decided it was time. My boyfriend and I arrived on a Friday night around 7, and were subsequently confused by whether or not we should alert someone as to our presence. We tried to assimilate and not be all American-y and go up to a busy waitress and be like "hello. table for 2 please." So instead we just...waited. Everyone sort of did it by the honor system, and when a table opened up a waitress came over and escorted the people who arrived first to it. It worked out. Teeny waiting area though. Not like that's really important. We did our homework about Korean barbecue and this restaurant in particular, so we had an idea of what to expect. Namely - service that is quick and to the point. No chit-chat, no reading a list of daily specials, just "you know what you want? ok." It's just about getting the food to the table, ASAP. We ordered the Bulgogi, since I've had that before in college and loved it. The side dishes were delicious - I used to work at a Korean/Japanese restaurant in college and was delighted to see the familiarity. Apparently there are a few dishes that are so traditional that they are universal at all Korean barbecue places. They were all delicious - try every one! Our bulgogi was wonderful, so deliciously seasoned and tender. The waitress came over and tossed it in the stone pot at the end of the table, and stirred it around every now and then, but we had fun stirring it around too. When you come here, just don't do anything stupid like we did. My boyfriend wanted to put the rice in the stone bowl (other tables ordered entrees that apparently come with rice in the stone bowl, instead of on the side like ours). I was a little scared to do that, since the waitresses seemed pretty serious and like they would not be amused by a foolish American messing up the entree. He insisted, and I was right: we were subsequently chastised. Oops. I tried to hard to act like I knew what we were going, but it was a definite Korean barbecue FAIL. But you know what? It was delicious our way, so I don't really care so much. When we were almost finished, the waitress put the check down, and then when we hadn't paid (still eating a little), she came by and tapped the check as if to say "Pay this please, and go away so someone else can sit down!" Haha. So not your typical dining experience. Again, I would never call this "bad service" - different culture, different kind of restaurant, different social norms. I try to fit in and do what is expected as well as I can when I'm having a new dining experience. Still, I'm taking a star down not for *quality* of service, but because I didn't feel exactly relaxed or put at ease in this particular environment. The food though - is exceptional. I plan to return and try something new, something that other yelp-ers are raving about! And like, 95% of the people in the restaurant were Korean - and you know you've got it right when the nationals are eating there.
(4)Captain G.
Best Korean food in Chicago. Four thumbs up. Must have their cold noodles. Parking could be a challenge so arrive early. Here's my buddy's review which I think it's very helpful: bit.ly/jRWyd
(4)Irene H.
I love this place... I've been here a handful of times thanks to my loving Chicago friends. - If you smell like flowers going in, don't expect to smell like flowers coming out. Like most Korean bbq places, you get 'smoked' and your hair/clothes are going to reek of it. We like to leave coats/jackets in the car... - It's a small Asian joint. Asian places usually emphasize food over service. So don't expect perfect service. It's like when you're with your parents. Sometimes you need to remind them 3 times that you want some Coke because they're working on a million things. (Sidenote: They don't serve Mountain Dew. My friend came and wanted MD and the lady asked him 'fried or boiled' because she heard 'mandoo' i.e. dumplings. I got a kick out of it). - Your breath will probably stink afterwards. The complimentary gum or lollipop that comes with your bill won't cut it. My friend's convinced only special people get the lollipops. - There's a parking lot behind the place with Korean-only signs. Free parking for the Koreans... us non-Koreans just manage to find street parking. - Sometimes the wait gets ridiculous but it's worth it. Food: - Cha-dol Gui... a huge platter of beef that you cook on the stone plate. Tons of meat for two (I think it's only $25). If you're inept at cooking it, the ladies will take over. I like eating it with the oily/salt dipping sauce and the 'grass'. After you're done grilling, they dump kimchi rice, and some of the side dishes for nice kimchi fried rice (great for bringing home and eating at 3am). I like it when it's slightly crispy/burnt which can lead to a war with the servers because they like to turn the grill off = no crispy rice! - Sides. There are tons of the free ban-chan. One reason to love Korean food! - Haemul panjun (seafood pancake). I always love my haemul panjun. Unfortunately sometimes they don't cook it as well. I like mine nice and crispy. - Naeng myun (cold noodles). Refreshing with the pear slices. I like to eat this when it's hot out.
(5)Jenny T.
Okay, so here's the deal: This place has awesome korean food. But the service sort of sucks. It's small and cramped, but there is always a line out the door during rush hour b/c people put up with it b/c the food is so damn good. They do a lot of cooking on those portable grills planted on your tabletop, so expect to smell like korean bbq afterwards. Don't wear anything too nice. They serve lots of small dishes w/ every order, and if you order one of the first two meat options, they combine it all and make this awesome korean "fried rice" thats convenient for a hangover meal the next day.
(4)Nida F.
This place makes me want to learn Korean just so I could say "Delicious"! It's the only way I can describe this place. My bf and I use to walk by constantly when he lived in the area, and our stomachs would growl every time--- Fresh, grilled, spicy Asian meat....mmmmm I'm drooling thinking about it now. Then one day we couldn't take it any longer and we decided to ventured in. It's BYOB and there is a CVS around the corner. We waited a good 20 minutes in the cramp vestibule with heaters blowing in. This place was jam packed! but we could now see what all the fuss and long lines were about.. this place is super small.. but soo cool inside once you look! Each table has its own stove, and it's a very fun, family oriented atmosphere. It was finally our turn and we were seated only to find out English was barely spoken! Thank god we knew what bulgogi was--- and we simply ordered that. We were thrown about 10 small plates with interesting appetizers. We dug in and played " top chef" analyzing and trying to figure out what we were eating... My fave is the fake potato salad made with apple! When the waitress finally fired up the grill we were ready. They threw the meat in and we had no idea what to do.. it was sizzling away, so my BF did what most men would do.. he stirred the pot!--- bad idea! My bf had his hand slapped! Literally! lol.. The waitress motioned you let it sit.. with a smile.... he didn't care about the slapping, it made us feel like we fit in more, minus the language barrier... When we started eating and I soon realized this was what heaven must taste like ! So juicy, so good! We gobbled it all up and out bill was only about $$22! Amazing! We have been back numerous times and I would recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid to go to the hole in the wall restaurants. You won't get good service-- so don't expect it, or hold it against them.. It also isn't the trendiest spot --- so make sure you bring the "right type" of company... ! This place makes you feel like you are tasting how Korean food should really be cooked--/ try it out and I know you will return!
(5)Cindy K.
Let me stipulate for you LA or fob Korean folk, that this is a great Korean restaurant *for the Midwest*. You can't compare the Korean food in Chicago to LA or Korea. It's like comparing TGI Fridays to Charlie Trotter's. I'm not normally a fan of chadolbaegi (the unmarinated meat) but this is the only place that I will eat it and love it. Their nengmyung is also really good, both the soupy kind and the spicy non-soupy kind. I LOVE their side dishes. I could sit there and eat rice and just that and be happy. Also good: the seafood pancake and the kimchi jigae. The only thing I've had there that I didn't like was the bulgogi. Your average Korean mom makes it a lot better. It's a small space that fills up fast for dinner. Service isn't exactly perky and friendly, but I haven't had issues with them being too rude either. But then I have low expectations for Korean restaurants. They aren't being racist (though some are) but in this case, they're pretty chilly toward everyone. My clothes don't reek as much leaving here as it does from other places like Sansoogabsan. Speaking of clothes, NEVER enter into a Korean restaurant wearing something that you can't just throw in the wash. Even in the dead of winter, I will leave my coat in the car. As far as food quality goes, this place is one of the best that Chicago has to offer. I always, without fail, waddle out of here looking like I'm carrying a food baby. mmm mmm good.
(5)Noelle l.
Food is fantastic - service rude and discriminatory. I was in the restaurant waiting to be acknowledged with my 2 year old hungry son. An asian couple walked in behind us, signaled to the staff who sat them immediately without even acknowledging me. I wish that there were another delicious Korean BBQ place nearby that I could go to but in spite of the horrible service, I'll go back bc the food is just so good. I hate it when that happens!
(3)Fuzzysaurus L.
5 stars (woohoo! as good as it gets!) mainly because i have to journey from Cinci for some quality korean food and i think my benchmark is quite low. definitely get the cha dol bae gi because that's not something you can get in every korean restaurant. delish. wide variety of pan chan too including the soupy kimchi that could be considered 'refreshing'. everything is just so tasty here that it's hard not to order what seems like more than enough food. somehow we're always able to finish everything (literally) everything though! mmm, can't wait to go again.
(5)Justin L.
Let me start by saying my mom makes the best Korean food so really no Korean restaurant will ever ever get a 5 star from me except my momma home cooking. That said this is probably one of the better spots in Chicago. The place is uniquely positioned by location to service both the yuppies as well as lincoln square folks. It stands alone and apart from other Korean restaurants in the city because there are actually non Koreans that dine there often. So while I cannot ever give any Korean establishment a 5 star, this would be deserving of a 4 star if it were not for the simple fact that it is so damn small. There is room for about 30 people? If you are clostrophobic (sp?) do not go. The small space also forces people to stand around the door and wait. If it is cold outside as it often is in Chicago people are always letting a cold draft into the dining area. There is also the annoyance of having people hover over your shoulder while eating if sitting within 5 ft of the doorway. But the service is better than most other Korean restaurants. It is slightly pricier that other Korean restaurants as well. I would not recommend for a date since, it is not the place where you will feel intimate nor have the luxury to eat slowly and talk. This is for a quick hit of Korean in your belly and you are out the door. If you get tried of the Chadolbaegui grilling then go for the soups. I always get the yukgaejung. What we need in Chicago is duk bo sam.
(3)D K.
Terrible service and if you're looking for good korean food, this place is not the place to go to. As a Korean-American, I am really disturbed that places like this are around; they give Asians a bad name. Why put up with bad service? Why accept people who act like jerks? If you want good service, a friendly customer first atmosphere, along with good food, this place the complete opposite of where you should go. ONE STAR.
(1)Mark J.
I've been to "Cho Sun Ok" about 5 times and it satisfies my craving for some good Korean "bbq". Sometimes I think only Koreans can put up with the intricacies of this place ... but it's always a good sign to see Koreans packing this place up and waiting in line out the door to eat here. First off, you'll have to know a bit about most korean places. Most korean places look like crap .. inside and out .. and I think Koreans aren't much for aesthetics. If you want your traffic signs on the wall, old b&w pictures, catchy pop music, sports memorabilia, vintage do-dads, etc. go to fridays/applebees/potbellies/etc etc etc. That being said, I think this place is pretty decent looking compared to most korean joints. Also, what you won't get at most Korean restaurants is friendly service. This place is no exception ... there's no time to be friendly here. They're understaffed and it quickly becomes standing room only(and out the door) during popular hours. It's almost comedy watching the waitresses hustle back and forth, table to table, trying to keep up with the grilling and orders. It's not like they're intentionally being rude or anything though, it's just insanely busy here and you're gonna get the basics .... no jokes or quips, no conversations, no smiles. (oh .. and everyone gets the same treatment here, korean or otherwise ... unless you personally know the owner or slip a Benjamin to him during a handshake you're just like everyone else.) Tip #1: ask the owner (older korean guy standing around the bar) for the check when you're done, instead of wating for the waitresses to come by. Tip #2: Ask for plenty of water with your INITIAL order placement. So if you've made it this far you're in for a treat. I usually get the "cha dol bae gee", which are VERY thin slices of beef. They'll put the fresh meat out on your table and come by to cook it on the stone skillet on the table. Sometimes if the waitresses are busy (always?) you'll have to do some meat turning yourself so it doesn't get too burnt. You'll probably find yourself spreading the meat all around evenly on the skillet only to have the waitress come by and mess it all up to cook it "the right way" like some of the other reviewers have said. The meat is so good ... Like some of the other reviewers have said, avoid the lines and get there early ... and you might have dogs chasing you if they get a whiff of your clothes when you get out of there. Anyhow, the food here is really good and you'll be hard pressed to find a better Korean restaurant in Chicago. So relax a bit while you're here, don't expect to get treated like a king, and just enjoy the food and atmosphere .. because despite some of the gripes about the service you'll find that there's more personality here than most restaurants .... without the need for vintage memorabilia hanging off the wall.
(5)Michael O.
Probably would have given 5 stars if I knew what more of the menu items were. They have a unique offering of items, including some dinners for two that they cook at the table. My boyfriend and I got the marinated beef dinner for two and it was very good. I also got a spicy beef soup appetizer that was very good. They serve at least 8 small bowls of items to mix with your main dish, such as pickles, bean sprouts, rice cakes, potatoes, and more. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
(4)Caroline L.
Where to start... I adore cho sun ok. I am NOT korean, and i have no idea if the service would be better if i was. i've already resigned to the fact that their hospitality is... different from other places in chicago. whatever, the food is so effing good that it's definitely not worth complaining over the slightly pushy korean matron who doesn't smile.... ever. disclaimer... i don't know the proper terms for any of the food i've eaten there, so i'm going to wing it. i've never ordered off the a la carte menu- and i don't know anyone who has! you come for the korean bbq! the sides that accompany the meal are the best korean sides i've ever had. the kimchi is to die for! they are always willing to refill anything you need, but don't expect a smile. i've had the un-marinated beef (name? sorry?), the marinated beef, and the octopus. all three are great, but the thinly sliced un-marinated beef is THE BEST. they give you this amazing sesame dipping oil and it's such a delicious accompaniment. note about this sauce- ASK FOR IT. i only got it the first time i went with my korean friend. the other times i've returned they didn't offer until i asked. hmmmm. I think this is the only one on the menu that also comes with the fried rice at the end of the meal, which is awesome. i recommend to not eat all of the meat- if you keep a bunch of it in the pan, the fried rice is even more delicious. like everyone else says, yes, you will smell like bbq afterward and yes, it's super crowded. because it's crazy at nights, i always go on sunday afternoons (3pm-ish) and it's basically dead. the waitress gives you a lot more attention and you feel totally comfortable lounging at your table. the hard part is getting up the strength to stand up after your delicious meal!
(5)Barbara F.
Very good... Had never had real Korean BBQ before... the atmosphere was comfy and loud.... Get here early if you don't want to stand in line... it gets packed fast and they do not take reservations. Yummy food... we had a fried rice and a beef dish... sorry have no idea what it was called... they served a bunch of salad before our meal... they were very different, but tastey nonetheless. For authentic Korean cuisine I definitely recommend.
(4)Phil K.
I'll chime in and also say that the cha-dol-something-something is the thing to get here. The naeng-myun (cold noodles) are good too - but the best part is when the beef is finished, the lady comes by and throws all the leftover panchan, some rice, kimchee, and oil onto the hot stone and cooks up some fried rice. It gets pretty crowded, and the service is typical Korean dive. In short, don't expect any smiles or help. I get hooked up because I go with my parents (we're Korean) who have been long time diners here and the restaurant the waitresses used to work at on Lincoln... If you don't go with a Korean-speaker, just order, eat, pay, get out. Don't dilly-dally, and don't ask too many questions. Last time I was there, the (white) woman at the table next to ours kept asking the harried waitress about each panchan (whats this... .ok whats that... and this one).. The waitress sooo wasn't havin' it. Bitch just shut up and eat! Anyways, Cho Sun Ok is probably the best Korean in Chicago and cheap as hell too. Better than San Soo G-something which is mediocre at best. Though Chicago, unfortunately, isn't blessed with great Korean restaurants.
(4)Jessica K.
BEST Korean restaurant in Chicago. Trust me, this is coming from a Korean. Reason why this place rocks: 1. Best seafood pancake in Chicago. 2. At the end, you get Kimchi fried rice. No other place in Chicago does this. 3. Their meat actually TASTE good. Most Korean restaurants in Chicago, their meat taste good.. but they all taste the same. I mean come on, nobody dislikes Korean galbi.. 4. I like the service. Korean waitresses aren't known to be nice in general but here they treat you like they're your mom. They take care of you. They also don't cheat you here if your a foreigner which sometimes happens in other korean galbi joints (cough cough san soo gab san) 5. BYOB 6. Clean (recently remodeled) 7. Lots of FRESH side dishes 8. Great soon doo bi ji gae (Spicy tofu kimchi soup) 9. Great dol soo bi bim bop (Um, vegetable rice bowl thing in a hot stone bowl? Can't translate this one) 10. There is this stoic old grandpa (i think he's the owner) he is always standing behind the bar watching everything. I just find it cute. There is a wait which is the ONLY downside I could think of. It's a small place and it takes a while to eat all the food you get.The bigger the group the longer it takes. But really, it's all worth it. Ask any Korean in Chicago about this place and you'll never hear anything bad about their food.
(5)Christine H.
This was my first experience of Korean cuisine. If this is what an authentic Korean restaurant is like, I will gladly take an Americanized place. As other people have alluded to, the waitstaff is, well, racist, to be quite frank. Maybe that's ok with you and you'll tolerate being treated like an inferior if the food is good and cheap. Well, I lived in the south for 2 years and did not experience such blatant disrespect. The beauty of living in the 21st century is I don't have to patronize a racist establishment. I have choices. Our group of 5 came before a Korean couple, and although the Korean couple tried to advocate for us, the waitress sat them first. We waited probably 20 minutes before anyone even talked to us (the place was crowded, but still, not even going ask us how many, or say how long the wait is?) Now, let's discuss the menu. As a Vegan, my choices were greatly limited (disappointing, as Asian restaurants usually have a lot for me). I told Ms. Waitress that I wanted the fermented bean paste stew (that was one of two things on the menu that did not list meat or seafood). She basically said that non-Koreans don't like it, and I shouldn't get it. Um, again, I'm Vegan. I eat bean stuff all the time. I was willing to try it. I told her that I don't eat meat or seafood and I wanted it. Despite my insistence, she told me to get some other stew, but without the meat and seafood. It was a little spicy, which was fine, but made me think "Did she assume I wanted spicy because I had brown skin?" Anyway, what she and the menu failed to mention was that this stuff had eggs in it. WTF? When she came back around, I told her I didn't eat eggs. She said, "You said no meat or seafood, not eggs." I told her that I didn't know it had eggs. She didn't take it back. So I essentially paid $16 for rice and veggies (we split the bill 5 ways). I mean, all the little veggie bowls they left on the table were good but man, $16? Not worth it. The sucky thing about being Vegan is that you can't always do "authentic" restaurants. Such was sadly the case here. But if you're a Vegan and do go, be forewarned, say you don't want eggs either (they sneak it in a lot of stuff).
(2)Amourena T.
Ok, I have been eating korean food for over 12 years. I am non-korean, however I can speak the language and am very familiar with the culture. I live in the neighborhood and was craving some kimchi chigae. I am normally a san soo gap san patron, but wasn't feeling the commute. I walked in and overheard one of the staff scream out "americans" when we walked in. They hurried our order and gave us half full glasses of water. Everyone else (korean) were getting the tea water that I enjoy. I was never even offered and was already annoyed. Our dishes came out (bulgoki was overcooked). I asked for water twice and finally had a waitress come by to replenish my glass. Some of the korean patrons were even staring at us and talking about us as they sat 3 feet away from us. As if korean isn't an easy learnable language for americans? If yu don't have a korean friend to come with you, do not go. You will be stared at, talked about, and underserved. These people are extremely rude and unappreciative of your business. I was never even thanked for coming and was very disappointed in thier service. If you do not want americans as patrons in your business, do not open a restaurant in Lincoln Square. You don't see me opening a burger joint in Seoul do you?? I'll go to San Soo Gap San for now on.
(1)Anne Marie J.
I think they do a good job of making a normally intimidating experience welcoming for non-Koreans. It's lively and bustling. It's not the best Korean food but it's decent and flavorful. It's nice that they make the kimchi bokumbap as the finishing dish.
(3)Tiffany K.
i am practically a regular. cheap meals, the meat is delicious. i also like their sseol long tang. Some people say that the service is terrible, but I say definitely go with at least one Korean person to make sure that there is no chance of confusion or anything when ordering. Also, it's a really small space and one time I went, it was late February and there was a looooong line outside in the cold! Get there early, and be prepared to get full.
(5)ed d.
By far, best Korean food in the city. Staff wont help you that much so go with someone that knows. I am available. Email me and we can work something out.
(4)Ryan H.
great korean food, i also recommended some friends to go there and they all loved it~ i'll go back to try the korean cold noodle someday~
(4)Nancy C.
Cha-dol-bae-gi is the best meat dish. I agree that the service is not the best. Waitresses are not friendly nor talkative, unless you're a friend or Korean. Part of it has to do with language barriers... and part of it is because they are always rushed (lots of people waiting in line).. It's really good food though! One of the best Korean restaurants in Chicago.
(4)Jean C.
Best Korean food in Chicago! I will find any reason to come here. The food is amazing. Get #6. Thin sliced beef you cook on a stone pan. The best is the Korean fried rice they make in the same pan after the meat is done. Satisfying and delicious. And also my comfort food! Go early otherwise you will wait. Normally the line is out the door if you go during popular dinner times. It's definitely worth the wait! My one complaint is that I wish the restaurant was bigger. Just so then I don't have to wait to get a table. :-)
(5)Nico B.
Got there about 5pm with no wait and plenty of spots. They gave us about 8 free appetizers and the waitress was *mostly* helpful at picking out entrees. We got a beef dish, a noodle dish, and a tofu/seafood soup thing. The latter was super disappointing, but the other two dishes were pretty scrumptious. Water was a plenty, which is a pretty big requirement for me. By the time we left the place was packed and there were about 4 parties waiting to be seated. All in all, I would definitely come again, but this time I will get the table top grill. That looked delicious!
(4)stu y.
Pretty disappointing. I've never had bad Korean food until now. The unfriendly service is not worth it. The broth tasted like dishwater and the beef was floppy and bland. And how in the world do you screw up boiled dumplings???? Seriously. It was like an ace bandage filled with water from Lake Michigan. My friend's ribs were half decent but I wouldn't waste your time here.
(2)Alice K.
Cha dol gui is simply the best meal you can get for the price you pay! All Korean restaurants give you banchan - which are small side dishes for garnish and appetizers. The meal will also come with fried rice at the end of the BBQ. It is mixed with all the banchan and plus kimchi stock. I wish that I took my parent's here when they came to visit. The other dishes were delicious but I've had better in NY. I do love mul nang mun - buckwheat noodle with cold beef stock, pickled radish and cucumbers. It is refreshing with the korean BBQ.
(4)Hyung S.
Honestly, you don't go to an ethnic restaurant in Chicago if you are looking for good service. So, saying that, I weighed the service a bit lower than I would have otherwise. Service is not so attentive and somewhat variable. Some of the waitstaff don't seem too patient with people who don't speak Korean or know the menu. The barbecue is pretty good. But it's the other food that really elevates the place. Great soups, anju (drinking food), and banchan. The real star is the kimchi, which is yummy. BYOB, which I recommend, as it adds to the experience.
(4)James C.
This restaurant is proof that if your food is good, people will come no matter what. With that said, I believe this place has the worst service imaginable for a restaurant that is as popular as it is. Why is there no line system at this restaurant? Isn't this 2008? Must all Korean restaurants be completely oblivious to the fact that Americans demand good service? I only go there for the thinly sliced meat and it's awesome. An order for 2 is extremely affordable and their food is authentic (I'm Korean). I've tried other things there and it's all very good. This place can easily be 5 stars and I think I could've given it at least 4 stars but that's only if you can overlook the very thing that almost every Korean restaurant do... lack of good service and their ability to speak english. I hate how I don't know if they're gonna seat me or not and who's ahead of me and etc. I don't recommend going there when it's busy... it just gets too crazy. Also, if you're planning to try this place for the first time, read below. 1. make sure you know your place in line. Otherwise, there is a chance that you will be cut by random Koreans that bully their way in. 2. If you get the Cha Dor beef (order for 2), make sure you're continuously cooking if the waitress isn't doing it for you. If you don't throw more meat on there, the stone pan will start burning and you'll have a face full of smoke. 3. Finish cooking ALL of your meat. If you somehow get full and feel the need to not cook all of it, wave a server down and tell them you're done... otherwise they will just leave you there and never come back. Cooking all your meat is a sign for them to finish you off by making fried rice in the very same stone pan you were cooking your meat in. 4. Don't get mad if the wait staff seems to be annoyed. It's not that they don't like you... it's cause they're stressed out.
(3)J. E. N.
love the side dishes they give - and generous portions they always have a variety of them too i always get the cha dol bae ki, which are thinly sliced beef- theirs are the best - the meat is always tender and juicy and the mul nae muen is is a cool delight- highly recommend after having all that meat. you have to request the fried rice they cook at the end with leftovers- even tho I am stuffed, I always eat the fried rice the wait is usually pretty long and there is a limited amount of parking, but worth it. also, you can't beat the price ~!
(5)Donielle A.
This place is awesome! Great food, great experience, great waitstaff...what are you waiting for?!?!?!
(5)Gfiddy F.
Delicious.
(5)Ben L.
This place is fantastic. It is not a Korean BBQ place though, they specialize in cooking unmarinated beef over hot stone plates at the table. It's a little different than other places, but I think it's great. The other dishes are good too, but at least once try the unmarinated beef. I don't know about LA but it's definitely on par or better than most places in NYC, Oakland and Seattle. My general rule of thumb for Korean places is that if the service is friendly then the place must suck. This place has very efficient service -- not friendly, just efficient. Be prepared to wait on weekends -- it's great. Also very cheap.
(5)Oona B.
great soon doo boo!!
(5)jenn m.
I'm no Korean food connoisseur, but of the few Korean restaurants ive frequented, this one has been a consistent favorite. It seems to always be busy and its definitely authentic. The menu has a multitude of Korean dishes, but we normally get chadolbaegi or bulgogi - both of which come with many little side dishes of goodies to eat with the meat. Their pot stickers and kimchi are also delicious - its all extremely filling! Wash it all down with a Coke and youre good to go! They leave you gum with the check, which doesnt even begin to cover up the garlicy-onion/meat stench that lingers in your mouth and on your clothing for the rest of the night. But... its totally worth it.
(4)Joseph D.
Cho Sun Ok is a wonderful restaurant. Went in on a Saturday around 6pm, it was completely packed yet maintained a calm atmosphere. The servers were extremely helpful (although our servers didn't speak English so it helped that my friend is fluent in Korean). We started with a seafood pancake (haemul pajeon) that was delicious and came out very soon after we arrived. Banchan (side dishes, pickles, etc) followed, and every one was great; the array quite plentiful. The baechu and kakdugi kimchis were great, although the winter kimchi really stood out as stellar. I had never had Korean potato salad and was quite impressed but this sweeter version of potato salad with apples. My friend got bi bim bap which she enjoyed and I had ujok tang, a stewed beef foot-and-tendon dish where the meat/cartilage was perfectly done: tender and smooth. The server was kind enough to cut the meat off the bones to make it more chopstick friendly. BYOB was a a plus as far as keeping this dinner very affordable. Each main dish (and the pajeon) could easily have served two people.
(4)Melinda C.
So good. Unfortunately, my Korean friend did all the ordering so I don't have a clue what we ended up getting. Everything was delicious, though, from the soup to the meat to the accompaniments to the rice they fried up at the end. It's a pretty small place so there may be a wait to get a table, but it's sooo delicious.
(4)Albert C.
A group of the boys came here to celebrate DY's birthday a few years back, during the med school era. It was dark, it was dingy, and we were really glad that DY spoke some Korean. But despite all that (or rather because of it all), we had a great meal. Obviously bulgogi and kalbi are the big players; they don't skimp on the panchan either. But like any other Korean BBQ place, be prepared to come home smelling of beef.
(4)Sean P.
Korean writing I don't understand...check. Korean workers I kind of understand...check. Food is awesome and the byob can't be beat. Grab some soju and a fresh plate of meat and grill it up until you can't fit that beef in you anymore. I like the old school mom and pop feel as well. Would be cooler if I understood Korean but it makes me feel like being in Seoul again.
(4)Alexandra S.
If seeking out some flavorful Korean, this place is a no-brainer. The bbq is fantastic as are the sides. I love the rest of the menu too, the cold braised noodles with beef and seafood pancake are very craveable. No decor or service to speak of, but who cares when you are feasting on such tasty vittles with friends. I'd stick with the traditional bbq followed by the fried rice. You'll be tasting it all night (in a good way). Try going before 7 or after 9, especially on weekends if you want to avoid a long wait.
(4)Tim V.
How can you not like seriously good fried rice prepared tableside? Don't bother to put your name in (nobody will take it); just get in the line that usually extends out the door. Tell them to bring you whatever they want...I promise you won't be disappointed. Although getting the beef short ribs is an excellent idea. Another excellent idea is going home for the night after this...or at least jump in the shower quick before going somewhere else.
(5)Sooyon H.
This is one of my favorite korean restaurants in the city. Parking is never an issue when I dine here. There may be some waiting time before being seated, but people move in and out a decent pace here. They are known for their chadulbaegee, which is a non-marinated thinly cut meat which is accompanied by thinly sliced green onions in a red pepper flakes and oil mixture and dipped in sesame seed oil for perfection! I absolutely love this dish, but unfortunately the last time I ate it here I broke into an all over body skin rash/hives. Since then, I have stayed away from ordering it there. I have always enjoyed their soon doo boo jee gae, a spicy tofu soup which has the right consistencies of spiciness. If you order the chaldeulbaegee, then they put together your left-over banchan (vegetable sidde dishes) with the kim chi (spicy, formented cabbage) to make a wonderful bokeumbap. Soooo good! I can't get enough of this restaurant!
(4)John C.
PLEASE READ IF NOT KOREAN or USED TO KOREAN CULTURE Holla at a Korean Brother!!! Okay, sorry...I'm not really into the whole Korean culture, I mean I was raised in Macomb County in Michigan! But I do know the food...why? Because I ate all the nastiness when I was growing up and my momma (uhmma) is one of the best Korean cooks hands down yo! Many say she should have opened up a Korean restaurant. So anyway, I would like to make comments on the comments of others concerning Korean restaurants. These are my opinions and my thoughts...so don't come yelling at me. I'm just trying to give some non-Koreans perspective. I'm like the "Dog Whisperer"...trying to make you understand these weird people called Koreans. My wife also isn't Korean, so she gives me perspective on my culture and asks questions about why Koreans are a certain way. So I've been forced to verbalize my answers. 1) Decor - Yes Korean restaurants aren't big on decor, but you also don't pay for it. My theory is that many Koreans come from humble beginnings, so what you see is like a F-ing palace compared to what these people probably grew up with. You know that same old story...I came from a poor country, with $30 in my pocket, worked my ass off for my family, and now I provide for them. So who cares if the restaurant isn't all that great looking. I don't know anything about the owners, but I can relate to my own parents. I mean they have a super nice house in nice area, but inside it isn't that great. They don't spend the time to make it is a nice as my wife's parents house on the inside. They just didn't figure it out, but compared to what they know, it is awesome. Weird. My dad had no money, we were poor for a long time, and he made a life for us. Okay, maybe I'm full of sh*t, but whatever...that's my theory... 2) Service - Remember that Koreans come from a very hierarchal society. Older above younger, male above female, etc. This is something my wife can not grasp. Why do I listen to my older brother even if it seems weird? Why do my younger cousins bow to me? Why is my mom the ultimate source of right/wrong? But then my dad can trump her? Well, again I'm generalizing, but remember that this is the way the old country was...it is less so now even with the gender. So, put yourself in these peoples shoes. They are used to bossing the younger around, telling people "lower" on the chain what to do...NOW they are taking "orders" from some younger person...sometimes that person doesn't understand the culture so it seems that they aren't respectful. For example...younger people should receive with two hands...a sign of respect. So you don't know this...you just expect this waitress to do things for you...we are a proud people. I'm not saying it is right/wrong, I'm just saying see it from their eyes. They may not like it, they may need the work whatever...try to joke with them, try to be respectful, you'll see a difference. So my buddy goes here ALL the time and his Korean is horrible, but he is respectful to these waitresses. They love him now. It is just DIFFERENT. 3) Food. Almost all Korean restaurants specialize on one type of food. I think the Galbi is just okay here...eat at Solga for Galbi. For Cha-dol Gui...eat here!!! It is the best. Non-marinated with all the trimmings. Close to restaurants in LA. You can order other dishes, the hot pots, etc. But you will probably find other places that are better. 4) Getting a Table. This is a challenge for all people, Korean or not. Knowing the owner definitely helps....sometimes. Some people probably called ahead or they know the owner. They also spend a lot more money there and are proven customers. I was pissed a few times, but my friend talked to the owner and he explained. 5) THE STANK!!!! Korean BBQ places stink...your clothes, hair...it's like smoking a cigar. Your whole body stinks. What is worse...if you eat the garlic...well let's say a vampire won't come close to you. Wear clothes that DO NOT NEED to be dry cleaned. My review. I love coming here. I don't have to go all the way to Lawrence, and I think all the food is okay. The Cha-dol Gui is great! I ranted and maybe I'm full of sh*t...whatever, just trying to give you perspective.
(4)Sean D.
The steak is pretty good, place is a bit dirty, have to walk through kitchen to get to the bathroom. They bring fewer salads and appetizers than other places. I don't get all the complaints about having to wait though, isn't it a good thing?
(3)Emma M.
Be prepared to wait a while for a table especially on a weekend night! This place is a small, cozy, neighborhood joint that you can smell from blocks away. The first time we went we ordered some dish (sorry, I don't remember what it was) and the waitress brought over a grill and a bunch of different garnishes in little dishes (like 12). We sat wondering what we should and whether we were supposed to start the grill. Eventually, the waitress came over turned it on for us and put the meat on. If this is not your first time then you know that you can just go ahead and do it yourself. After we finished she mixed all of our left overs with some rice and put it in a doggy bag. I think that's a great idea. Anyway, check it out.
(4)Roy A.
Pretty good place if you're in the mood for some Korean. I had the short ribs which were very tasty and each dish comes with about 9-10 little side dishes. I had no idea what most of them were but ate them anyways and they were pretty tasty for the most part with different flavors all converging on my mouth. Would go again to try some different dishes or maybe I can just go somewhere else and compare the two since I'm nowhere near an expert when it comes to Korean food.
(3)blogger n.
best cha dol in chicago. the place is tiny and its usually always busy. and the service is not great. but the food is amazing. order the "cha dol"
(5)Yoo Jin Y.
This location has so much potential, but has failed in every way. The only reason why it is still open is that the food is decent. People like korean bbq and the neighborhood has changed. Service - is the worst I have ever seen. People chalk it up to thats how a Korean restaurant is, but that should change!!! There is 1 waitress there that gives you so much attitude. Its either her way or keep getting more attitude. What ever happened to the customer is always right? Ask for water and time how long it takes you. Better yet ask for anything and see how long it takes. I am a Korean american and I will tell you that they treat people differently there. They try to rush certain people out, by coming over to your table and dumping 1/2 a plate of meat you paid for on the pan to get you to leave faster!!! Why our table and not the other one - we have been here the same amount of time? Seating - what is up with the seating?! Clean up the restaurant a bit and offer your customers comfortable place to eat. What is up with the bar? They have one... can you sit at it? They should offer the poeple waiting out the little door a drink or a place to sit. During the warmer season do you see them put patio chairs out for their customers to sit? Do they ask your name and put you on a wait list so you know who is next or do you sit in that line because your scared you will loose your place? I am complaining because I am sick of these Korean restaurants not knowing how to run a restaurant and treating people so badly. They need to learn that they are in the hospitality industry and that is what they should offer. Respect is earned - John C talks about the korean society and being respectful and the patriarchal society, but hell your paying them money for their food and you have to respect them in order to get service? I am all for respect your family, friends etc, but come on... This is a restaurant! Do you think that you would go back to any other place if you were treated in this fashion? Do I need go to a Sushi house with a Japanese person to get good service or do I need to take a 1/2 asian 1/2 french person to a fusion restaurant to get better service? That makes no sense on what these people are saying. I really do not recommend this place at all. This is no comparision to any bbq place in NYC or LA. They need to do better! They need to focus on the customer. Put out a patio chair - get a busser to bring water to the tables not have your customers dying of thirst and have to wait 20 mins for a refill. Have your wait staff smile at the customers and show that they are happy to see you as their guest. Offer some cleaner tables and better seating. JUST SOME BASICS OF RESTAURANT 101.
(1)Jill R.
Totally outstanding. I went in ready to not like it due to a bad experience 10 years ago at another restaurant. OMG! This was such damn good food. Flavorful, plentiful and delicious. We totally ordered way too much but I'm glad because we tried everything. Those "pancakes" - to die for! We got the unmarinated meat for 2 which fed 4. Unbelievable. We got delicious spicy buckwheat noodles with meat and veggies. Outstanding. The marinated pork - holy s*$t! The service is fast but no one speaks English so get ready to point. BYOB if you don't like watery Korean beer. Otherwise - I'll be back again and again.
(5)Michael B.
easily the best korean restaurant in the city. famed for being the oldest korean restaurant in chicago, it's easy to see why it has lasted so long. you go there for one dish...their cha duhl bae gi. i love their banchan...especially that watery stem kimchee thing that they give to each person...omg, it goes perfect with the meat. at most korean bbq places, people will order the kalbi/bulgogi and wrap it in lettuce with rice/kimchee/onions and put either pepper paste or soybean paste with it. when you order chaduhl bae gee in this place...they give you a plate of onions...and NO RICE! you just dip the meat into the sesame seed oil/salt dip thing, mash it up with onions and let it all melt in your mouth. SO GOOD. the quality of everything is awesome. if you eat at a normal time, prepare to wait. my friends and i have waited an hour and a half to sit...when you finally do get a seat, pray you don't get the one right next to the door...people will be standing over you while you eat and drool all over your shoulder. service...they have two waitresses running around like no other...no time to really smile/chat/kiss your ass. they do their job, get you in and out so the next people can sit. it's all about efficiency at this place...if you're expecting to be pampered, you'll be dissapointed. if you're looking to try the best korean restaurant in town, you're tastebuds will jump for joy. funny thing...you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the one bathroom they have. the guys back there are working their a$$es off to cut up fresh meat for everyone...it's ok to say hi. they'll smile back. oh, and back to the rice thing...afterwards, they take all the leftover banchan minus a few things and make it into fried rice on your table...when it's ready to eat, make sure you scoop the top layers off only and let the bottom keep frying till it burns on the stone pot...then, you get one person to SCRAPE off the stuff and everyone shares this crunchy rice...noo-roong-jee!
(5)Joao G.
Cho Sun Ok offers good, cheap, and fairly authentic Korean food in Chicago. I have been there twice and I can say that the bulgogi is VERY good, the bibimbop is good but not great and the side dishes are also good (especially the kimchi). I am definitely going back many times. The downside is that the ventilation is not that good and so it's impossible not to leave the place with a strong bulgogi smell in your clothes...
(4)Marissa D.
after we broke the hypothetical korean ice with jin ju, george and i were ready for a more authentic korean experience. based on yelp reviews, we came here. the atmosphere is fine...nothing great at all, but it's made better by the fact that the restaurant is bustling. the food was great. i devoured my bulgogi and george enjoyed his bi bim bap. we also really liked the fried pot stickers - they make great leftovers as well. i have to subtract a few stars for the service. like most other people said, it's not great, especially when you aren't with someone who is asian/korean. nonetheless, it was 30 dollars and that included a large hite beer that we split - not a bad deal - so i think we will probably end up eating here again if we don't want to spend the money at jin ju.
(3)Bella D.
Great cozy place for korean food! Its cozy so make sure your group is small - 4-6 : )
(5)joseph p.
All right gang this is a korean bbq place, to put simply! The shiiit is the "cha dol beg ghee"! Thin strips of unmarinted beef that you cook table side by yourself, which you then dip in a sesame oil, salt. pepper mixture. The beef comes with the standard "ban chan", korean side dishes, which includes red leaf lettuce and a spicy soy bean paste that you can make a lettuce wrap with the beef. As my Oakland girl friend says....Hella good! At the end of the meal, the waitresses dump a huge bowl of rice into the stone cooking plate, which is used to cook the meet, with other left over side dishes to make a yummy korean fried type rice. Yes, you non-koreans...there is the standard Kal-bi, the tasty marinated bbq short ribs that everyone loves. But unlike other bbq places the kal-bi is cooked by the owner in a oven in the front of the restaurant. There is Korean fare to taste, but me and the kids come for the beef! The restaurant is small and lines are not too uncommon! By the way kids get full size suckers, not the small dum dum pops you get at the bank, and on occasion, full size hershey bars with almonds. Get there early and get ready to be transformed to an F.O.B. korean for a brief moment while you are there. Btw. F.O.B stands for fresh off the boat. lol! Cheers!
(4)Nancy H.
It's a little tight in here, especially if you are seated at a table in the middle of the restaurant instead of at surrounding booths, and you'll oftentimes find that there isn't enough room on the table for all of your plates and dishes. Through recommendations of my friends, we ordered Cha dol Gui ($23 for 2), which is very thinly sliced mildly marinated meat that you (or the waitress) cook over a gas-powered stone slab. You are given garlic cloves, chopped onions, jalapeno peppers, and bean paste to cook with the meat, if so desired. There is also a sesame oil/salt/pepper "dip" for the meat and a variety of "panchan" (Korean side dishes of mostly pickled vegetables) and sliced green scallions to eat along with it. When you've eaten all the meat, the waitress will come by and throw all your leftover panchan and add white rice onto the slab and make fried rice out of it all. It was all very delicious! I haven't tried any other dishes here, but I keep coming back here for the meat! It looked like similar pricing for all other typical Korean dishes ($7-9). Lastly, street parking here isn't difficult. And it's BYOB!
(4)TeaAddict G.
A great place for Korean BBQ if you don't mind waiting in line and coming out smelling like beef for the next few hours. I have yet to go with a Korean-speaking friend which I am convinced will be a better experience. Sevice can be very slow, they could really use more wait staff. Don't expect your water glass to be filled instantly, or your checks being brought without your pestering the waitress. But, hey it's worth it for some tasty beef.
(4)Dee W.
FABULOUS Korean bbq!! We definately had to wait (here's a tip - go in a group of two or three people and you'll get served quicker) and go with someone (preferably Korean) that knows how to cook Korean BBQ. We had so much food leftover - we got fried dumplings (in such a huge helping that it made it worth every penny), soup (with thin slivers of beef), this marinated beef and all these yummy side appetizers for the bbq - the best part of the meat that we had ordered was how at the end - they brought out kimchi & rice and mixed it all together so we had a HUGE serving of fried rice at the end. We had so much leftover (and paid less than $40) that we both brought home leftovers to create a meal for our boyfriends (who opted not to go out with us).
(4)K S.
I walked by Cho Sun Ok yesterday and they are open once again for business. As much as I truly love this place (and I mean TRULY LOVE) I have to say I am a bit leery to go back anytime soon. I sure will miss their short ribs....
(1)Jessy Y.
I really like this place for its food. One of my favorite to go if I ever go out to eat. I am really fond of their BBQ (the one with meat that is not marinated). You eat this with lots of shredded green onion. The best part is it's fried rice at the end. So good. Love this place.. However, you definitely want to make sure you make reservation or be ready to wait. Normally the turn around is not too bad, since they are pretty good at serving and get you out.
(4)Angela T.
This place is probably one of my favorite Korean eateries in the city, and reasonably priced, too. The best dish to get here is called Cha-dol Gui, thinly sliced beef cooked on a stone grill. In addition, they will create a semi-spicy fried rice for you on the grill after you are done with the BBQ portion. It is a good amount of food, be prepared to loosen your belts. The restaurant is not that big, and it is crowded all the time. Try to avoid the weekends, and try to have an early dinner on the weekdays. Also, do not wear anything nice. By the end of the affair, your clothes will reek of nasty grease. That is the only negative part of the experience.
(4)Adey Z.
over all, I was disappointed with this place. first of all, I really didn't find anything special about this restaurant. the BBQ was only OK.. and the side dishes had no flavor. there are many other good Korean BBQ restaurants in Chicago land. Second of all, I waited 45 mins to get a table, then I got food posioned after eating there! I lived in the bathroom for 24hrs! at the end I had to go to the hospital...
(1)sandhya k.
As I sit at my desk at 7pm still with no end in sight as I work on a grant application, I am oh so happy that I have some soup from Cho Sun Ok to enjoy. My co-worker was snagging herself some lunch/dinner this afternoon and because I knew I'd be at work late I realized that having some dinner would be a good idea. I already finished off the kimchi with some of the rice a few hours ago, and just popped open the soup right now. I think I ended up with my co-workers beef soup instead of the kimchi chicken soup I ordered, but all is still good and tasty. The carryout experience is not as great as enjoying the food in the restaurant, but that is in no way because they didn't provide the same massive amount of things on the side for me to enjoy.
(4)Jenny C.
Being Korean and a little bit broke, it's always nice to find a place that serves good, authentic food at an affordable price. That's why I love this restaurant. My biggest complaint is how small it is. It gets pretty crowded at dinnertime. The wait is never too terrible (maybe around 20 mins?) but the restaurant is so small that there is really nowhere to wait. Also, it's awkward to get around the tables/chairs, especially when people are sitting in them. I'd say it's worth it though, for the food. I took my family here when they came to visit and they are still talking about how good the yook geh jang was. The service is ok. Sometimes they won't come by for a long time, which is strange especially when it's packed. You'd think they'd come by more often to try and get you to leave.
(4)David C.
No charcoal is a deal breaker for a Korean BBQ place, at least in my book. Yeah, they have the stone griddle, but stone does not add flavor. That said, the food is pretty decent.
(3)Toshi B.
Place is really crowded but I guess that happens for a reason. It is packed w/ Koreans which is a good sign and a dab of non-Koreans here and there. It is a little cozy restaurant run by this 50s+ old guy who never really says anything but oh well. The thing to get is the beef cooked on the table on a stone plate. When the meal is over, the waitress will place all the banchan into the stone plate and mix it in w/ rice. Just think of Korean spicy friend rice. I also have tried the galbi (short ribs) that was not cooked at the table and it was very, very good. I love this place but it is always packed so if you do not mind the wait, it is well worth it. The only drawback is that the place gets really busy and waitresses will rush around. One thing to note is that Koreans (unlike Thai, Japanese, other Asians) will not go out of their way to service non-Koreans. It is not that they don't like you, it is just that they are too preoccupied servicing everybody else. So don't expect pampering for sure.
(4)Elizabeth H.
The beef here melts in your mouth. This place is great but prepare to smell like the meal until you change out of your clothes and take a shower.
(5)Mrjustice ..
Maybe if you're Korean, maybe the place is "OK". If not, then 'fogettaboutit'. Panchans (for non-Koreans), not spicy and not much variety. Had to ask several times, until we got at least SOME of the real Korean stuff. As for the Cook at the Table Dinners, again we were not allowed to cook our own (while the Korean diners were). Also, not provided with the plate of spliced green onions like all other Korean Diners (we like onions too!). Also, not really impressed with 'stone-top' cooking versus real over-the-coals BBQ. Also, really surprised NO ONE was provided with at least grean lettuce leaves for roll-ups of the BBQ meat, like other Korean BBQ's (let alone the even better large radish roll-ups) along with garlic cloves. Enough experimenting with 'other' Korean restaurants, I'll stick with the best -- Kang Nam (where you get EVERYTHING -- even korean pancake and soup included, for virtually same price; and all the wonderful Korean panchans -- and not treated like a 2nd-class citizen).
(1)Abby D.
this is my advice about this place: if you are STARVING for good korean fare, haven't had your needed fix in far too long, and your blood sugar is plummeting so rapidly that your dining buddies seem to be more irritating by the minute, DON'T GO HERE. chances are: you'll be irritated by: a) the long wait for a table, b) the somewhat claustrophobic feel from the crowded interior, c) the service that seems to serve every table except yours, or d) none of the above (you're simply so hungry anything proves irritating). instead, i'd suggest either eating a protein bar before heading over to cso or stopping by a fast food eatery and calming down with an order o' fries or the like. THEN go and tackle the wonders of cso. coming here on an empty stomach is far worse than going grocery shopping in said condition.
(4)Alex C.
This is one of the oldest korean restuarants in Chicago and they recently remodeled. There is plenty of waiting for tables every night since it's small and very popular. They are known for Cha Dol Bae Gi which is unmarinated thinly sliced beef with lovely fat marbled in. Not for the dieting folks. They cook it at the table for you and at the end they dump most of the side dishes left over from your table along with some extra stuff and rice into the pan and make kimchee fried rice. It's heavenly. I love that they give you your own bowl of the cold water kimchee instead of forcing you to share with others like most Korean restaurants do. Meat flavor is amazing and its hard to remember to save some room for the fried rice at the end. This place never disappoints.
(5)Mark P.
Forget being seated timely and getting proper service here unless you're Korean. Ros gui wasn't bad but service is a major turn off.
(1)Amy L.
Great place for the price. Only about 20 bucks for 2 people. Get the cha dol gui. Good stuff. Try not to get more than that because you won't finish it! They don't give you rice during the pan chan and bbq time until the last part of the meal where they come and mix rice with some of the leftover pan chan and meat you have left in the pot. They will give it to you if you request it though. You could get kalbi at a better place like San Soon or Kang Nam though. They make the kalbi for you and the marinade is a little different than most korean kalbi marinades. Be aware though...have to wait even on a weeknight. Many customers go in groups of 5 or more and they take up most of the restaurant. Wear extra layers too if it's cold outside because there are people coming in and out quite often. There isn't much of a waiting area, just by the door and maybe by cash register area. So you may have to stand by the door and suffer through people opening and closing the door. Small cozy place makes me think of Korea even though I've never been there before. Only two waitresses, one busboy, and the owner are seen in the dining area. They look very busy but they are very nice. They speak english but have very heavy accents. It's better to know how to speak Korean and go there. Been there a few times already and enjoyed it each time.
(4)Brick W.
Well this place is awesome that's all I have to say. . . Actually that's not true, as you can tell if you glance up at the left corner of this review I am in fact 100% Korean so my review may be slightly biased. OK so before you continue with my review scroll down and find the review by John C. It's a very insightful and will in fact help you out a little when you go here. I have quite a few "white" friends that really have had bad experiences here mostly waiting for a long long time, and having really bad service. I went two days ago with a group of six Caucasians we went on a Thursday around 7:30 and waited for all of 5 minutes. Our waitress was very very helpful and very polite our food came out lightning fast, and we were helped with some of the dishes. The Cha-dol Gui is awesome! So is the Bulgoge, and the be bim bop. We had a couple of bottles of beer, and a couple of bottles of soju. It was an absolutely fantastic experience for my friends and myself, plus the waitress was like my mom, it was very important to her that I ate alot because I'm one skinny dude and that makes me feel good. GO TO THIS PLACE!!! Be patient and tolerant, and like Mr. C said respectful and you will fall in love with this place.
(5)J H.
Okay. This is the oldest Korean restaurant in Chicago for a reason: food. The atmosphere, service, location, parking can improve big time. However, I come here for the best nangmyun and cha dol bae gi. The reason why I give this place 5 stars is simple. It cannot be beat in the quality of the food. This is the best Korean restaurant in Chicago, hands down. If the food is okay, I would never come here because other factors suck. The service is horrible unless you speak Korean and wait sucks. However, if you notice that when Koreans wait in line for a table, you know that this place is authentic and good. I would not recommend this place to introduce Korean food to non Koreans as it requires a deep understanding and appreciation for authentic Korean cuisine to take it all in. Heck! I'm still developing my palate for the nyangmyun.
(5)Grace K.
I think this is the best Korean BBQ place in Chicago. It's not only very authentic but the food is just top notch. During peak hours it can be hard to get a table, sometimes the wait can be around 30 minutes long. But once you get a table it's a great experience. First of all when you walk in it feels like you're in Seoul, lots of tables that are close together in a small place, creating a very intimate atmosphere. The food is served as it should be with lots of little side dishes called Ban-chan. You can get a meat dish to share for I think $22 but don't let them push more food on you than you can eat, those dishes that are supposedly for 2 people can easily feed 3 or sometimes 4. First the meat comes out and gets grilled and you eat it with rice, side dishes and lettuce(?) leaves and then after that it seems to make a whole 'nother meal when they stir fry the rice for you in the left over meat sauce with spicey flavoring and vegetables. If you don't know how to prepare these yourselves, like cooking the meat and stir frying, just look dumb and ask them about it and they'll do it for you.
(5)Donna J.
my parents have been going here for over 25 years, and they finally started brining us a few years ago. not sure what took them so long....but of course, the best korean food in chicago. everytime we go there we order the same thing, the chudul baegi (which is the unmarinated beef) and neng myun (cold buckwheat noodle soup). the food is consistent everytime and the rice at the end is spectacular, especially the crusty part on the bottom. the ladies who work there bust their butts everyday to get to all the customers. the place is small, doesn't take reservations, but is completely worth it. even my grandparents who live in korea come here when they are in town. you cannot beat the price for what you get. i don't have a bad thing to say about the place except that your hair, clothes, and anything else you bring in there with you will stink of korean food when you walk out. actually, is that really a negative?
(5)Stephanie M.
Be prepared to wait...this place is pretty busy. There are tables and also booths at this restaurant, each with their own flat griddle bbq thing. It's different from the open pit ones I've seen elsewhere. Probably safer ^_^. Korean bbq here is really good. I recall the kalbi was good. You can cook yourself or have food cooked in the kitchen. The cold noodles are really good too. You will be really full after you eat here. Kinda weird thing was the TV's...watch sports while you grill your food.
(4)Karen L.
Although I am not a huge fan of Korean food, I have to say that this experience was a good one. This was my second time at this restaurant, but the first time I did not order the Korean BBQ. What makes the Korean BBQ experience so fun is that you can cook your food on a flat skillet on your table! I ordered the bugogi, which is marinated beef, I think. The beef was tender and flavorful and every meal comes standard with a bunch of little Korean appetizer dishes. One thing about this place is it is small and it gets crowded. So go on an off night or early for dinner. And it is hard to tell if the waitstaff can speak English, because they will just come over and cook your food "the right way" without saying a word. Plus, you won't forget this experience for days to come, since you walk out of there smelling like Korean BBQ! (Wear junky clothes and don't plan on going out on the town afterwards! :) )
(4)andy b.
cho sun OK ...is ....OK..... and thats it !! i mean the food is good, yes very good but the service and the wait are not so good. And there is always someone looking at you while u are eating , and it is smelly and you need to wash your cloth when u get home.
(3)Jeanette R.
Best Korean food I've ever had! Everything I've had has been GREAT! Try any of the dishes you can cook at the table! My Daughter loves it and it's yummy! FYI- get there early in the evening...long wait!
(5)Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. You'll get treated like shit.
(4)Jennifer K.
I like Cho Sun Ok much more than San Soo Gap San. Why? Well...there's plenty of reasons. The food is more delicious, service is better, and the price is cheaper. How can I not help but prefer this restaurant over any other Korean restaurants? Yes, yes. This can't hold a candle to Korean restaurants out in LA, but it holds its own. The stone griddle are perfect for grilling different cuts of meat. But my fave is def cha deul bae gi! It's sort of oily, but the thin strips are so delicious when wrapped around green onions, garlic, radishes, etc. The ban chan is plentiful and varied. After most of the meat has been grilled, the server comes over and adds ban chan, kimchi, etc. to the grill and covers it up with rice. It's sort of like a stir-fry finale. It's a great way to end the meal! But spicy buckwheat noodles are great too; def try the neung-myun! The price is awesome at around $10-16 per person, depending on how many people are in your party. So it's an affordable dinner with SO MUCH food! Granted, you end up smelling like your meal, so like Karen L. says, wear comfy clothes. This is def not a restaurant where you wear designer labels! ^^
(3)Yaeko M.
Good food for less money! I love it! I go once in a month in average. The volume of food is Wow! great! The food is very fresh. I loved authentic korean small dishes. The waitress makes Kimuchi fried rice at the end. The bad part is the place is small, and no reservation accepted. It's a popular place so you sometime need to wait for long. I waited 30min outside. The good part is even it's BYOB, there is Jewel next door!
(5)Tiffany L.
love it here! i have no idea what i've ordered here, but it's always good. my favorite is when they make the fried rice out of your leftovers in the end. genius. my only complaint is that the place is teeny tiny and dinner is always a long wait. i went once for a lunch and it was much less busy.
(4)George D.
The food is very good here. The atmosphere maybe even deserves extra points, because it exceeds your expectations. Normally when you go to an ethnic place with and ethnic name and crappy exterior, you expect to be a little nervous about cleanliness inside. Not a problem here, the interior is bright and clean. Although, with all the tabletop barbecuing going on here, you do leave smelling like food, which is always irritating. I get that this is a neighborhood place where actual Koreans go to get actual Korean food. (We were there on a Monday night, and every table was full, and we were the only white people there). But we really felt a little unwelcome, like everyone else was getting better, faster service than we were. Maybe it wasn't intentional... the waitress wasn't very good with English, and so maybe she was self-conscious about it or something. But whatever the reason, it's not fun to eat at a place where you feel out of place and underappreciated as a customer. I actually do want to come back... next time, I'll just bring my Korean friend with me.
(3)Serena T.
This place is so close to where I live and I finally got a chance to go here last week. I'm not a big meat person but I have to admit that the beef dish that everyone seems to rave about was very tasty. It's thinly sliced and very tender and has a hint of flavor. They offer small appetizer dishes along with your entrees so you feel like your getting much more than you ordered. Overall I thought this place was great because it definitely has an authentic feel to it as we seemed to be the only non-Korean people in the place! I will definitely go back and try some other dishes that looked appetizing.
(4)kahee y.
it helps to go with a fellow korean or someone that knows a staff member, because then youll get more banchan! of all the korean bbq places in the chicago land area, cho sun ok has the highest quality of meat, is the cleanest, and has the most variety of banchans. the chadolbeggi is THE meat to get; perfect amount of fat and sliced thinly to it's perfect width. so affordable and so much food!
(4)Don J.
Just heard Cho Sun OK was closed temporaily by the Health Department in early 2010. They can kiss my rosy behind goodbye, never going to go there again. Please see what I thought of this restaurant before the Health Department gave it a kick in the butt. Probably the best Korean restaurant in Chicago. Their meat is top quality, cooked tableside and all of the food is freshly prepared that morning. While the decor is extremly getto (think 1980s stlye) and you will need to wait to get a table this shouldn't put you off coming here. Their unmarinated beef is amazing and the "burnt" rice they serve near the end of your meal is great (yes I am not asian and I always thought burnt rice should go straight into a trash can). The service will be fast but not friendly as they are too busy dealing with the full restaurant. I have never been to a restaurant like this before but I will go back again.
(4)Anna J.
I used to like this place. And i haven't been there for a few months and then i wanted some Korean food so i went there recently. maybe i expected too much. food was below okay- the quality of meat wasn't that great, the Cha dol bak e we got wasn't like Cha dol bak e at all, it was meat without any fat and that's not how it's supposed to be as Cha dol bak e. But other soup i had was okay. I didn't tell servers about the food because their service was horrible and I just didn't want to talk to them. Even though there were not many people at the time, they were not paying attention to people at the restaurant. When one of the servers was making the fried rice after the meat, she moved so fast with too much of power, some rice and Kimchi were flying and it offended me so much. It seemed like they wouldn't care even though i told them about the meat and their attitude based on their behavior. It was like they were telling me : finish eating and go away. I disliked their attitude so much, I just erased this restaurant from the list of my favorite restaurants. This place used to be so much better. I seriously made an account because my last experience at the restaurant was just too shockingly terrible to me.
(2)Jenny D.
stopped in for a quick lunch. you don't really think "k bbq" and "quick" would go together, but it worked out for us at Cho Sun Ok. service was friendly and fast, the server was attentive and brought our banchan out right away. we opted for her to cook the meat for us, because she uses a salamander oven and it's done faster. (usually we cook it ourselves, but we were short on time that day) The pancakes were delicious, lots of seafood and fillings. Pork fried rice was ok, I kept getting tasting something overly salty. Fried dumplings were delicious. not too heavy, and the sauce was good. Bulgogi was very tendor and juicy. delicious, cheap, filling. ... and according to my fellow yelp-ers its also a BYOB (typical for most small asian restaurants) that is a definite plus! can't wait to go back again =)
(4)Ruben W.
it was very good food very good korean pancake and beef not good for kids under 8 there is a burner in the middle of the table or theres one on the side its very hot there service could be a little better we had to wait for the check for a long time but the food was good. inside its a bit smokey
(3)Robert E.
3.5 stars and rounded up. Cool, fun, happening scene inside. Not many tables so it's always crowded. Sometimes the service is good, sometimes the service comes with an attitude. The food is why you go here and it's great. I love Korean BBQ and I love to cook my own food, can't blame the chef if it sucks! It's BYOB and if you go at peak hours there might be a wait but it's definitely worth it!
(4)Debbie H.
I love Korean bbq. There, I said it. I am neither Korean, nor really like BBQ'ing, but put those two together and -- voila! CSO is a good place and the closest Korean BBQ to me, so I've been a few times. I tend to agree with the other reviews about the service; not very friendly if you're not of Korean descent. Which, in other nationalities, is deplorable...so why would this be ok here? However, the dumplings, bulgogi and Korean pancake are somewhat too good to pass up. I'll deal with the hate crime to get my little chopsticks on that BBQ'd up meat. I love the generous amount of sauce and garlic as well, and the kimchee is always nicely spicy. The major thing I think CSO is missing that other Korean BBQs around provide is the lettuce leaves to wrap the meat in along with the peanut "spread" and garlic. Now THAT is heavenly.
(3)Laetitia L.
this place was the first korean restaurant i tried in chicago and will always have a special place in my heart. but even without that signifier, i'm a fan of cho sun ok. the banchan is refreshing and done right. and like the others said, the jadolbaegi is great and the grill meats in general are juicy and savory. i usually zero in on the stews, though, even in the summertime and the soondoobu chigae there is flavorful and comforting. the staff is strict with me, almost maternal with me in an endearing way. one time i asked for a banchan i don't like (the agar stuff that my mom made me eat when i was a kid) to be taken away and the waitress told me in stern Korean that i needed to finish it. and so i did.
(4)Happiness L.
What a surprise find thanks to a smart phone! My friend and I were thinking about where we wanted to go for dinner and he mentioned Korean food...using our smart phones we found this place and based on Yelp reviews decided to check it out. After standing in line for about 30 min we got a table. Don't expect an explanation of all the side dishes...very basic give me your order type service...perfect for this restaurant. Lots of people...no reservations...just get in line and wait for a table...no list of names either. Food was so very yummy. Ambiance is perfect casual and byob. For sure I will go back and very much looking forward to it.
(4)Christine P.
I would have to say that this place is one of the best korean restaurants in Chicago. It's also one of the few that fries the rice for you at the end. (Which both my boyfriend and I are huge fans of!) They also have better side dishes (ban chan) than most of the korean restaurants I've ever been to in Chi-town. Weekends are packed for dinner and you can end up having to wait for about 45 minutes so go on a weekday if you want to avoid the rush. Prices are also reasonable. Just wish there were multiple locations! :o)
(5)Alan W.
One of my favorite Korean Restaurants. It's one of the best in Chicago and is always busy when I go there for dinner. This place is awesome, and the best is when they make the kim-chi fried rice at the end.
(5)Saira C.
Ha seriously the rumors about the service are all true. Last time the woman ignored us 5 times. Brought the wrong things. Slammed in to my friend and knocked her out of her chair, and brought us the drinks we ordered when we sat down after we paid the bill to leave. Yup...it's special in there. All that aside...the food is AMAZING!
(4)Victoria O.
Used to go here after a guitar lesson at Old Town, up the street. Excellent Korean food. Friendly staff. Quick takeout. Ate in once, and the experience was equally pleasant. Recommend!
(5)Monica W.
Super small place. If there is a line, its normal because they can only hold maybe 30 people. But its worth the wait. I love the thin cuts of meat bbq. Its enough for 2 people. The seafood pancake was different. I say try it but I don't think we would get it again. Its BYOB but don't think you can hang out there for a while (took us an hour). The hungry eyes in line by the door are hunting you down. Service isn't that great but expected. Good food, great prices and a fun experience.
(5)Alice K.
This place rocks as evidenced by the lines out the door any day of the week. People are fast though and the tables turn quickly. It is an awesome BYOB choice. I am in love with the bulgogi. My only complaint is that there isn't much guidance for the non-Korean speaker or anyone new to Korean food. So, you may want to research Korean dishes before going to better guide you. That said, you cannot go wrong with the bulgogi. They will also fry it up for you. P.S. the table BBQ will impart a distinct smell to your clothes so don't go in your Sunday best.
(4)Lisa L.
I am really torn on how to review this place, which I am sure is excellent for Korean food, but as it turns out, Korean is not my cup of tea (or bowl of rice...) We went with someone who highly recommend a few dishes to try, including the table cooked marinated beef dish and a pork dish, however, I absolutely hate overcooked meat, and that is what this was. The meat is thinly sliced and then cooked until dried out - although not the fault of the restaurant, as I think this is how it's done....it was making me think that I need cheese whiz and bread, because the only other time I have had meat cooked like that was on a philly cheesesteak. I just didn't find the food that tasty, and left smelling of garlic and beef (the downfall of the interactive, cooked at the table, beef jerky) Oh well, fun to try, portions are huge, ridiculously cheap - and overall, one of those places that I could go back to, but really not my favorite kind of food.
(3)Wendy C.
second time visiting chitown and I'm a fan. when you first walk in and you see its packed with koreans you know.. your in for something awesome. i read review after review before visiting and i have to say this place shined. for dinner we ordered ONE item on the bbq section ( most korean places make you order at least two in order to even get the bbq on the table) they start bringing out the little dishes and the rice refilling them frequently and generously especially on the ones they refill more than twice. they also have a large plate of GREEN ONION SALAD --- i could eat BUCKETS OF THAT STUFF! once about half the meat is gone they take the meat set it aside and bring the large bowl of rice combined with the kimchi left on the table and sprouts etc and cook it on the stone griddle. the out come? MAGNIFICENT!! the rice crusts not he stone griddle giving it a nice spicy crunch top with some meat.. HEAVEN!
(4)Jacob N.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.... eat here about every other week. MUST TRY! ... just remember, don't go for the service, go for the food!
(5)Mike T.
Korean bbq is probably one of my favorite meals to have and Cho Sun Ok is a great place to try. The two times I've gone, we missed out on having the special fried rice cooked on the cooking surface that was just used to cook all of the juicy pieces of meat. Next time, we have to get the fried rice. Last time, we also ordered the pancake along with kalbi as the main dish and we were incredibly stuffed. The restaurant is super small so it might be difficult to get a place to sit.
(4)baka t.
Came for a mid day Sunday afternoon around 3pm. Working off a hangover, I had the taste for Korean Food. It had been at least 5 years since my last visit. The interior seemed much cleaner from what i remembered. We had fast friendly service, watched some cows being roped on tv, and our food came out fast. Just what the doctor ordered. The food was much better from what I remembered. I left wanting more. I don't understand people's need to be served everywhere they go. we ordered, she brought us delicious food. what more do you need a server to do? Also, yes your clothes are going to smell... you just cooked food right on your table... thats what happens when you cook food. you smell like the food you cook. Fact of life, figure it out. Our bill was under 25 dollars, 2 dishes, and an appetizer. Great!.
(4)Grace H.
Oh. My. Gosh. How a restaurant like this stays open (and apparently busy at that) is beyond me. Just to preface this review, I am Korean. I am currently in chicago for my brother's graduation, originally from Orange county, ca. My parents want Korean food for our first meal here so i look it up on yelp and find that cho sun ok has hundreds of ratings and a solid four stars. Looks good to me. How very very wrong I was... I wish I could give negative stars. Restaurant was full when we walked in. In a nutshell, our experience was like this: - We wait at the door for ten minutes. No greeting or acknowledgment from staff that we are new customers. We should have left when we had the chance. - We finally get seated after a waitress asks another couple to move to a smaller table so we can take theirs. I felt so bad I apologized. I saw this happen two more times throughout our dinner to other customers. I guess thats normal here.. - In five to ten minute intervals we receive our menus, chopsticks and napkins literally thrown onto our table, waters, side dishes also thrown onto our table so hard all the dishes clink and clank and almost fall off the table, and finally get our orders taken. I think.. Ok.. They're busy.. I suppose understandable. - Food comes out surprisingly quick. Everything was ok at best. At this point, we were all so hungry the nightmare of a service was forgettable. - Now throughout our dinner I keep looking at the waitresses and not a single smile. I felt like i was literally in a nightmare. But the worst was yet to come.. - My dad goes up to the register to pay for our bill so we can leave and make room for new customers waiting. The old grandpa whom I guess is the owner punches numbers and tells my dad the bill is $50. My dad pays and walks back to the table and then asks me, "did we order that much?" I calculate and our bill should have been $35. My mom offers to go up to the grandpa for our receipt since we never received one. He first adamantly tells my mom that my dad already paid for the bill and the tab is closed out so it can no longer be viewed. My mom tells him that does not make sense and finally gets him to look at our check again. It turns out he overcharged us by adding two items we never ordered. Now my mom is really flustered and asks him what was going on and the grandpa nearly yells at her "it was a mistake. I said sorry, didn't I?!!". At that point I really wanted to say something but now wanting to just get out of there ASAP, we receive our $15 back and leave. Basically, it was as if he knew we were not from the area and wanted to take advantage of us tourists. Even my parents couldn't believe a Korean would do that to fellow Koreans. Oh how money corrupts. Never ever ever again would I step in that restaurant, even if you paid me a million dollars.
(1)Thomas K.
This place decent for who never tried korean bbq! Note that you may have to wait in line if you come around dinner time, like around 7-8ish.
(3)Esther A.
Consistently good food. The service is declining, but really, if you're looking for good service, go to Alinea or the likes. Cho Sun Ok is for the folks looking for no frills good Korean food. Get the Cha Dol Pae Gi (unmarinated thinly sliced beef) cooked on a stone pot. Eat the beef with the romaine lettuce with the ssam jjang (weird looking brown paste and the green onions). Don't ask for rice because after you finish with the beef, they'll make a fried rice for you on the stone pot with kimchi and the side dishes. Wait until the rice gets nice and crusty... oh, it's so good! Also, if you are not Korean, but can handle the spicy, ask for the spicier ban chans. They'll assume that you can't handle the heat if you're not Korean.
(4)Renee S.
Love this place! Excellent food and even though staff isn't super warm, the food is great!
(4)Jon J.
I'm gonna update this just to shut down the complainers. Probably the best Korean in the city, but you gotta wait, and you gotta know what you're ordering. Here's a hint - get the chadulgui. It's what all the Koreans come to this place for. Thinly sliced beef, NOT marinated. Cook it. Put it on the scallions. Dunk in the oil, grab a marinated onion, then pop the whole thing (scallions included) into your mouth. Heaven. Polish it off with a couple bottles of OB or soju, and you're good to go. If it's too "ethnic", or they're too "mean", they go somewhere else. Cho Sun Ok is the best, always worth the wait, because it's always good.
(5)Robert S.
I was really impressed with Cho Sun Ok on a recent visit. My girl and I were out in the neighborhood and wanted to find a place that we could get a quick bite around 9:30 on a Friday. We checked out this place because we were standing right next to it. We hadn't heard anything about the place, and in fact, I didn't realize it was Korean until we went inside. The dining room was packed, even though it was almost closing time. The man at the bar asked how many, and since there were only two of us, he directed us to sit down at the only table open- a two seater. I had only had Korean once before, and at a fast-food type place, so I was immediately overwhelmed by the menu and protocol of Cho Sun Ok. We ordered some things that looked tasty, as well as some dumplings. The waitress brought out a bunch of weird vegetables and we weren't sure what they were or what we were supposed to do with them. I was really glad when the lady explained them to us, and she was very helpful and friendly with any other questions that I had. The food was beyond excellent- I could taste it for days afterward. The portions were great, and adding those weird vegetables made it fun and extra tasty. I can't wait to go back!
(5)S I.
I've been a long time lurker on Yelp. I had to start an account to comment. As I was reading the reviews on Cho Sun Ok I can't help but feel sorry for the non Koreans that have had "rude" service or stuff they didnt like here. I have been going to this place for over 15 years now. Been going since I was 10. You do the math. Anyways... Here are some things that I have to say to non Koreans that dont understand this place or any Korean restaurant. 1. No one is intentionally trying to be rude to you. Korean waitresses are known for being rude to non koreans because non koreans have the habit of lingering after their meal and they expect to be babied throughout the process when you know damn well the restaurant is packed full of people. 2. In all my years of going to this place I have never gotten anything except the chadol (thin slices of beef). Dont get the bibimbap here they arent known for that. Each restaurant is known for a certain thing. If you want good Kalbi goto SSGS etc. 3. The owner used to be a beast when it came to foreigners. I've seen him kick people out. This is going back to #1 on my list. Dont piss the guy off I want him to live and hopefully in 10 years I will be able to take my kid there. 4. If its your first time there I highly suggest taking a Korean who is fluent in Korean and knows their cuisine. Do not take an Americanized Korean they will be of no help to you. I've personally witnessed this on several occasions. i dont know if yelp has a mail function but you can email me questions if you like. I may be a bit blunt but this is coming straight from the horses mouth.
(5)Tiff W.
This place is awesome! As recommended by others we ordered #6 (chadolbaegee - unmarinated beef). My friend was a little skeptical when he heard "unmarinated" but the thin slices of meat were perfect once grilled. Not too fatty, not too lean. The rice they made with all the leftovers at the end was delicious. We also ordered japchae (vermicelli noodles) and the seafood pancake. The japchae was good, maybe a little sweet, and the seafood pancake was really good too (it was slightly oily though). It was a LOT of food for just two people and we had tons of leftovers. Service is what you expect from an Asian restaurant - they were no-nonsense and quick. Also, don't bring your jacket inside. If you do, you might want to air it out for a couple of hours afterwards.
(5)T V.
Cho Ok Sun is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Chicago. They are usually packed, so I would recommend getting there early since seating is limited. We've tried most of their dishes offered. The Korean BBQ is delicious. There is just something about the sauce and ponchon that make it so good. The best part is at the end when they make a fried rice out of your leftover stuff. One thing I wish they did have is the hot stone bi bim bop. Overall, I would encourage everyone to try this restaurant. Also, a forewarning, you will leave the restaurant smelling like korean food.
(4)Jan W.
Poor service. Waitress ignored us. Played favorites. Not worth driving from the burbs.
(1)Kim C.
I have no problem journeying out of the city for good, authentic Asian food. Cho Sun Ok totally hit the spot for me. Like the other Yelpers mentioned, the cha dol bae gi (unmarinated thin sliced beef) is your reason to go. The boyfriend and I shared an order for 2 and were so impressed by the portions! The kimchee fried rice that they made in the end (using our leftover side dishes.. ingenius!) was also delicious. Washed down all that red meat with some selleongtang (beef broth with noodles) and OB (huge bottles! only $5! win!) We came home with enough leftovers for another meal, all for less than $50 total! My worst fear when going to Korean restaurants is the disappointed looks I get when the waitresses realize that I'm not Korean (and usually I am subsequently ignored)... but not here! Stellar service even though we spoke English (gasp) only. Will definitely go back again.
(4)Suzy C.
Okay, I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, so we NEVER ate out at a Korean restaurant growing up. The great thing about Chicago is that there are some decent places to get Korean food. Some are pretty nasty (not the food, but the cleanliness of the place), and I generally skip any restaurant around Lawrence area, because a lot of restaurants there are dingy, dirty, and in bad need of a spring cleaning and a makeover. I love Cho Sun Ok b/c I love their mul nang myun which you can ask to be halved into two separate bowls. I love that you can order some soups as appetizers at $4, and I do love their meat. I'm not that crazy about their fried rice they make for you at the end of your meat, but I really do love their soups. The place seems quite clean to me and it's consistent good grub.
(4)Sonchoi H.
I love Cho Sun Ok's food. Truly. My favorite/recommended dishes are ojinguh bokkeum (squid) and cha dol bae gi (unmarinated beef). I don't really like their haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), though. And of course the waitresses make kimchi bokkumbap for you at the end. YUM. On a side note, especially for non-Koreans, the waitresses might appear to rude or in a rush. It's usually packed on the weekends and they are always rushing, sometimes you have to really try to get their attention instead of waiting on them to come to you. They don't speak English well, there have been times where they misunderstood one of our guests and became irritated. I'm a bit more understanding than some people, so fair warning. But without a doubt, the food here is great.
(4)Gary R.
I went to this little place at the recommendation of my friend, Royce who was determined that I experience Korean barbecue. It was all that he claimed and more. The food is prepared at each table on a gas fired cooktop in stone pans. The place was packed which is often a good indicator that people like the food. We had a brief wait for a table but quickly settled in. The place is BYOB so Royce bought along a bottle of Framboise beer which was another first for me. Royce ordered for the table (there were three of us) and the server quickly brought out what I can only describe as a barrage of Korean tapas dishes, many of which were slightly pickled. We also ordered a portion of both fried and boiled dumplings which came to the table freshly cooked and were delicious. A different server began to prepare our main at the table which took about 10 minutes with a total of three visits to and fro to ensure the main was properly cooked. The server told us when it was ready and we helped ourselves to some of the most flavorful and tender barbecue beef I have ever tasted! Most if not all of the Asian flavors were new and wondrous to me. I sampled something of everything that was before me and if there is any doubt, it was more of a feast than a meal. No room was left for dessert and it was not missed! Would I go again or recommend highly? To both, a resounding yes!
(4)John S.
Bear with me. This review reiterates many statements already made, but they need to be repeated to keep petulant jackasses from giving Cho Sun Ok a bad name. The food easily achieves five stars, but the service just barely ekes out two. If you dine around six o'clock you will understand why. The only way to serve this many people in such a small space and attend to the line that often sprouts from the front door requires a certain brusque efficiency, not nicey nice "take your time" cordiality. But the food is worth it. The various kimchi run the gamut from sweet to fiery and make me happy every time. Bear in mind, if you are not Korean the waitress will almost invariably ask if you know what you are ordering, and will often repeat the contents of the dish to you just in case. Don't be offended. Don't you all have a picky sibling who vomits at the taste of hot pepper? Can you imagine what he or she'd do after eating a skate fish? Also, unlike many tabletop Korean barbecues, the waitress prefer it if you don't fiddle with the food. They will cook it for you. And it will be good. And there will be fried rice at the end. This is all you must know.
(4)Donna K.
the only korean restaurant I'll give a five star to. I absolutely love cho sun ok. The place is tiny, the wait is LONG [depending on what time you go] but it is SO worth it. The side dishes are fantastic and they give you more than 3. and it's actually fresh. I always get chadorbegi, beef on stone pan. It's a lot of food for cheap price. Plus it's BYOB. I LOVE the fried rice they make at the end. It is so worth the 30+ minute wait. I go here at least twice a month. and my 5 star review is based on the thin beef and kimchi fried rice only. I don't care for anything else on the menu ;)
(5)Bill B.
Visiting from New York, I was taken here by mochimaker. We were the only customers not eating barbecue; instead, we ordered yukaejang and bibimnaengmyun. Both dishes were very tasty and the panchan was more bounteous than I have come to expect, living in New York. Sadly, they only served OB, even though the beer glasses have Hite labels.
(4)Green G.
2 reasons I'm not giving 5 stars... There are better Korean places in LA...much better. If you're not Korean, you will be treated like a 2nd class citizen. I don't know who they treat worse, other Asian ethnicities (which I am) or non-Asians. Other than that, food is pretty good, price is damn good for a Korean place (and dinner place), atmosphere very good for family albeit kind of cramped and service ok (they seem to not like to pour a FULL glass of water). To you people who say I shouldn't compare LA asian places to Chicago asian places, I ask...why not? Cho Sun Ok is owned by Koreans but the food is made by Mexicans. Sounds just like your typical LA Korean restaurant, why should I rate either one differently. Don't get me started on Asian food in other Midwest cities (I'm looking at you MIlwaukee). At least for places in Chicago, I'm not wishing Yelp had negative stars to give. Summary - Cho Sun Ok is an excellent restaurant that will fulfill both Korean and non-Korean's needs for authentic, basic Korean food. Though the menus lacks a tad (due to the fact that some Korean food can be a little TOO authentic for the Midwest palate), it's definitely a place YOU (Korean food lover) should go and a place I'd go back to (and I still do) again. Korean pancake appetizer - Pretty good Small dishes (not sure what this is usually called) - Good variety but I've had better Pork bulgogi (spelled wrong) - A little leaner meat than I usually like but good Galbi - Good but not great Buckwheat cold noodle - Really good if you're into that type of thing Stone-cooked meat - I think this is really good, even if you're not using an authentic cooker Various tofu soups - Not as good as other places in Chicago, a little lacking in spiciness (probably they assume if you're not Korean you won't want it spicy). But it's worth the price if you're really really craving it. Marinating - Seems adequate, not sure how to judge this one I'll let the real Koreans tell you yelpers how it is, but al the meats are marinated enough to taste good
(4)Julia H.
This was a completely unique experience. It would be a great place to bring a first date, or a group of friends. The meat, though I did not eat it, was extremely fresh and sliced thin, and they cook it as a community meal right there in front of you... Assorted sauces. I got a tofu spicy soup with clams, complete with clam shells. The beers (HITE brand) were cold and the Korean shots were taken with fresh squeezed limes. Service is incredible. MAKE a reservation!! This place gets busy busy.
(4)Nona Gayle D.
MEEEEAAAAAAAT... this place fills you up! they give you so much meat that you don't even need the fried rice they make for you at the end of the meal. it is well priced, about 25 dollars for meat enough for 2 people. The side dishes are flavorful and also accompany the meal well. The restaurant itself is small but it is worth the wait if you can get it. Be prepared to eat, cook, and smell like korean bbq... because you will....
(4)Eric V.
Albeit the food quality, i cannot honestly say that i had an enjoyable experience here. Firstly, they stuffed my table of seven into the corner of the restaurant right next to the grill/prep station. So, throughout the entire meal, the waitstaff was continuously shoving past me, which is ESPECIALLY annoying when you are trying to eat. I do understand this is inevitable in a cramped restaurant (which by the way exceeded its 50 person occupancy limit), but the fact they did not apologize or even flinch about these mishaps spoke volumes about the personality governing this staff. Secondly, while I'm still on the waitstaff, this rudeness extended into all other aspects of dining. Requesting more water was a 20 minute, 3 request endeavor. The staff was complaining to us because half our party was 20 minutes late. The waitress grabbed the tongs out of my girl friends hands without asking for it. And the list keeps on going. Thirdly, the only positive aspect about this place was the food quality. But honestly, it is quite similar to other Korean BBQ joints which makes this positive obsolete. So in all, my experience was extremely poor and i can confidently say that i will never return to this restaurant. My advice: If personality is an important factor for your dining experience, go elsewhere.
(2)Cindy D.
Tried something different on a double date my hubby and I were having. The marinated beef (thickly sliced) was VERY good. Actually better than the thinly, more popular, non-marinated version. Give it a whirl next time you are there.
(4)J. L.
$32 including tip for TWO plus plenty of leftovers for friend's hubby Awesome chadolbaegi. They don't give you lettuce, but the housemade dwenjang is killer and the kimchi fried rice they finish you off with is also great. The doraji banchan was totes fresh. Tasted like my grandma just yanked them up from her garden. Wish the serving ahjummas were a bit less talkative, but this is about as close as you get to an authentic Korean restaurant in a city that's usually disappointing in its offerings of the real stuff.
(4)Rusty S.
This place is incredible. I mean, as with most Korean places, the one piece of advice I have is: Be Korean. Or, failing that, be with someone Korean (this is what I try to do!). A third, sub-optimal plan might be "speak Korean fluently (actually fluently)," but I'm not super-sure that's even gonna work. But definitely don't be like "oh, I taught in English in Korea so I know what's up" becuase that's probably even worse than being not-Korean and with zero Koreans. And, I mean... if you go here in the latter style and are pissed off about the service, then you kind of seriously only have yourself to blame. But for real: food = awesome.
(5)Max P.
I really liked their bulgigi and fried Mandu (Korean dumplings). We got to grill the bulgogi at our table which is always the best. I did not give 5 stars because our waitress was super pushy with a huge language barrier. I know some Korean which saved us but if you have a Korean friend, bring them with as they will be a huge help. I would definitely go again.
(4)Jarod P.
Well, son, let me tell you: if you've never had Korean BBQ, Cho Sun Ok is a good place to start. And if you don't know what to expect and aren't sure if you should try it, I'll put it to you like this: do you love grilled meat, and do you fantastize about a server bringing out like 30 dishes that look like the stuff the Klingons would eat on Star Trek: The Next Generation? Well of course you do! The dishes I refer to are the ban chan, the many mysterious side dishes that are a part of every meal here. You may recognize one of them as kim chi, but the rest are seriously like sci-fi set dressing. But all delicious. There's one that's sort of like potato salad but has apples in it, I think. Another looks like strips of tofu but I believe it's called "fish cakes." I could eat nothing but the fish cakes and walk out of here happy. The many meats you can order at Cho Sun OK are very good, but not the best around (I prefer San Soo Gab San, I find their meat just a bit juicier and more savory.) But the ban chan at Cho Sun Ok seem fresher and more flavorful than any I've had. The jab chae noodles are wicked good, too. You suburban Kraft mac n cheese types might look upon a meal like this with fear and derision. Well, man up, I tell you! For, as the Klingons say, "Mch'tab keuklich!" Yeah, actually they don't say that, I just made it up. Sucker!
(4)Leo E.
The food was mediocre at best, servers were rude and didn't have anything to say, I don't think any of them spoke English... The restaurant was empty and I still was made to sit by the door; very cold draft at my back. I ordered a side of vermicelli noodles and was charged $11 for it, when I told the server about it she said just noodles or full dish are the same price, that was the biggest rip-off I've ever experienced in dining. I will not return, lots of other good spots for Korean around the city.
(1)Minners N.
Typical Korean restaurant for BBQ, nothing spectacular or different from any other restaurant. Rating bumped down for the awful service, perhaps due to the fact that we had no Koreans in our party that could communicate with them. Food is good, same as anywhere else. Long waits for a pretty small sized restaurant. Most of my Korean friends seem to really love it here. I'm not quite sure why....
(3)Gina L.
As a Korean, I know my Korean food. You'll have to take my word for it. This place is my favorite place for Korean food in Chicago. But when I go to Cho Sun Ok, I only get the same one thing - the cha dol bae gi (sliced beef). There's something extraordinary about it all: starting with the cold yoolmoo (a type of kimchi) soup appetizer, the pa moochim (green onion salad/topping), the meat and last but not least the fried rice that they make at the end with all the leftovers. Be sure to save some room for that! The fried rice is made with butter. I once tried taking out the butter (in an effort to be healthy) and it does NOT taste the same. So leave it in there. Bad service and leaving the place with smelly clothes is to be expected as with most Korean restaurants.
(5)Jeff K.
Only my second time to a Korean BBQ. This place is great. You will have to wait in line most of the time some come early or at off times. If you are looking to try something different and a bit unique this is the place. They do have a small menu but the dishes are good and very filling. Your clothes will smell like the place when you are done. I have been so spoiled by the smoking ban that I forgot what it's like to have your clothes smell when you walk out of a place. At least it's a good smell. I would tell you what I had if I could actually remember what it was. I will tell you it was marinated beef and it was very good. I actually let the people I was with choose. Great place to go with a few friends...
(4)Trevor S.
Delicious. Loved the chadolbaebi and seafood pancake. BYOB makes this place more interesting, now... I confess that a good beer or wine compliments the food. Prepare to dine well on ample portions while paying less. Our bill for seven patrons was around $100.
(5)Jay A.
This place is kind of advanced korean place and more authentic. You will enjoy do-it-yourself meal on hot plate :-) I really like Bulkoki which is korean BBQ (not sure though) and there are many things to try ..... cold noodle is also good but I don't remember the name of it since my korean friend ordered it for us in korean language (of course.)
(4)Karen N.
Hole in the wall. I went in for take out, ordered Soon du bo(tofu stew), sat at the bar, watched Korean TV with the owner. We didn't speak(I don't know Korean), but I was happy to hang. Took the Soon du bu into the car and ate the whole thing before I went home. The soup was the best that I have had ever. Loads of soft tofu, the soup base is spicy and tasty. I started sweating from the moment I started eating. It also came with a side of kimchi, two sides of banchan and a side of rice. $8 later and you have the best Korean home cooked meal.
(3)Ji Hye K.
This place totally is satisfying every time I go. Meat eaters must order cha-dol-bae-gi. Thin slices of meat, grilled right in front of you - dip it in sesame oil sauce or eat it rolled up in a piece of lettuce. After the meat's done, a hearty looking waitress will hustle over to your table and will make fried rice right in front of your face! So so delicious, you can't stop eating. I've stuffed myself silly at Cho Sun Ok many many times... Other menu items are quite good too. I've had the noodles in cold broth (neng-myun) before and it blew my mind how tasty and authentic it was. Ban-chan, by far, is the best among all the Korean restaurants in the city. The only downside is the wait. This place overflows with folks constantly. I once waited outside in the rain for an hour before getting a table. But it was so worth it. Oh, when you go, look for what looks like cabinet doors stuck on the walls as decoration. Not sure if they still got that but they made interesting, somewhat hilarious, interior decoration.
(5)Apollette S.
Love this place. The menu is small but well-rounded. Their soon du bu chigae is perfect --- the broth is so spicy and flavorful and clean-tasting (my mom pointed out that it's because it had no msg...I have no idea how to tell but I trusted her judgment as a cooker of awesome Korean food) and the tofu is a perfect consistency. They use large, full shrimps instead of the pinky nail-sized micro shrimps some places use. Their denjang chigae is the epitome of comfort food for me and Cho Sun Ok's is the one I crave when I have a cold. I love their mackerel -- perfectly grilled and juicy . Love the banchan, particularly the very fresh kimchi, and the soybean sprouts and potato-apple-mayo salad thingy. Just wish this place weren't so crowded.
(5)Patrick C.
as a non korean who loves korean food and grew up in a korean neighborhood I think I can speak with authority on this place. I'm a fan and by the line of people greeting me on the way in an out I think other people are fans as well. I will check this place out again, I only wish they had kalbi on the menu. Be prepared to wait for a table and don't except friendly service ( duh have you ever been to a korean restaurant? ) I will be back.
(4)Cristin M.
Cho Sun Ok is still my favorite Korean BBQ. Besides wearing clothes that you don't care about smelling up, I suggest going at lunchtime. Not nearly as busy as the dinner rush, and the service seemed a bit friendlier too.
(4)D S.
My wife and I arrived early so we would avoid the lines. The staff seated us right away but we had to call them to our table to place the order. The waitress was busy watching the television and barely acknowledged us. My wife's meal arrived in good time, however, my meal did not. Normally it's not a big deal to have our meals served at different times but my wife finished her meal and mine still had not arrived. Two times we asked the waitress to assist and they seemed to ignore us. We believed the waitress did not place the order. We work in the neighborhood and this is the third time we've had bad service. The food might be good but the service is horrible.
(1)Alli L.
I feel like I should chime in here about the service comments I've been reading: I actually think that the ruder the wait-staff are, the better and more authentic the food. Unless you speak Korean and can completely charm them with your encyclopedic knowledge of Korean food, I just don't think you should expect them to pull out the welcome mat. If you want whispered service and attentive waiters that glide by you, fulfilling your every need before you even want it, go fork out that cash for Tru or Les Nomades. My (Asian) friend and I came here to eat dinner a few nights ago (it was a weeknight and late, so it wasn't busy) and we were greeted with disbelief and then disappointment as it turned out that, despite our countenance, we couldn't speak a word, no, not even a bit, of Korean. We immediately got gruff broken English and impatient stares. I kind of find this funny and not at all annoying or off-putting. It's just the nature of this type of establishment. Roll with it, people. I came here not expecting much, since, well... this is Chicago. Happily Cho Sun Ok surpassed my expectations. We ordered the bulgogi and octopus for two - a mistake because I like the beef within a hair-breadth of cooked, and I like my octupus fully cooked. However, I thought their octopus was very fresh. Their panchan is pretty good, too. I can't wait to come back and try their notables (sadly I researched Yelp only after I went!) One star off because their stuff was so flavorful that it was sooo salty that I drank my weight in water. And they didn't refill quickly enough, ever.
(4)Michelle J.
I wouldn't give this restaurant any star if I could. We went to this place with high expectation, but it totally disappointed us. First of all, they treated you like sh*t! I never heard a "hello" or saw any emotion from the waitresses. They just wanted you to finish your meal ASAP so other customers could come in. The waitress poured all the beef on the grill even we told her we could do it ourselves. Second, their food aren't bad but not good either. The jaechap noodle and #5 beef (I forgot the name) were very salty. Third, the price is not cheap.I have gone to the one on western. Their service is so much nicer and the food were 1/3 cheaper than cho sun ok.
(1)Stacie K.
Korean or not-you'll get the same service here. Take it or leave it (like it or not), simply put. People may get seated ahead of you because they know the owner, or maybe they called ahead of time. You may have to get up and get your own water, or get the attention of a waitress by yelling across the restaurant, but that's pretty standard for all Korean restaurants. My dad is a good friend of the owner--so obviously I can't say anything really bad about it! But I will have to say that I was expecting a dirty, dark restaurant from, what apparently is, mixed reviews. But it was clean, well-lit, and I saw NO cockroaches or anything that even resembled one. Nothing in the restaurant even made me think there might be a cockroach in the place. Food was good, service was as expected, overall a good experience.
(4)Jonathan P.
I definitely miss this place. It was cramped and busy on weekends but always had pretty good food and a good time with friends. Chadolbaegee was especially good here. Gotta love the fried rice at the end.
(4)Lou W.
This place smells unbelievable. I walk past it and want to lay on the sidewalk outside the restaurant and close my eyes and fall asleep. I've eaten here twice. Both times it's been not exactly what I was expecting. The first time, I ordered a Chapchae (which I have had before at other Korean restaurants) and frankly, it wasn't that good. The second time, we practically had to beg the waitress to pay attention to us. The food was better, but we couldn't get water! Regardless, it's kind of a fun, loud place, good for a medium-sized group -- an interesting experience if nothing else.
(3)Steve L.
Come here for the meat only. So.... Cho Sun Ok is one of those Korean places that Korean people like to go to. The meat is quite tasty and they specialize in their stone pot BBQ style where near the end of the meal all the left over kimchi side dishes are throw in with rice and a ghetto fried rice is made. That fried rice is quite terrible, but like I said come here only for the meat. The Cha-Dal-Bae-Gi is the way to go....DO IT. The spicy pork is really good too. The appetizer dumplings are obviously frozen but passable. Panjan (which is like a seafood pancake) is pretty good, my roommate who never had it before loved it. Some cons about the restaurant...parking can be a little bit of a pain, but who's going to really check if your car is parked at Jewel half a block up the street? The line is intimidating especially in the dead of winter. Korean restaurants are not know for their service, it is the same for this restaurant, so don't expect much.
(4)Brian P.
I eat here frequently and it's exceptionally good every time. I also tend to be one of the only non-Koreans in the restaurant. I take that as a sign of its authenticity. Please don't eat here as the line is already too long. Seriously, I've never been here after 7:30pm when the line isn't out the door, even in the dead of winter.
(5)Po W.
The food was ok but the service was terrible!! I usually don't care about the service if the food is awesome, but this is just crap!! we ordered and was only given a limited amount of the small dishes (kimchis) and when looked around at other tables with korean patrons it seems like they had unlimited refills on all of the small dishes. we had to ask for them, and half of the time we did not receive them. That's B.S.! The ladies were pushy and defiantly not hospitable.... so if ur not korean and can't speak korean i would suggest that you don't go!!! p.s. it was horrible so i didn't tip and the pushy lady asked me "where was the tip" she was more worried about the tip then taking care of us and refilling our water!!! what a joke!
(1)Seong Y.
Well first of all, I am Korean.. so my viewpoint might be somewhat biased, but I pick Chosun Ok as one of the best Korean restaurant in US as long as couple of places in LA and SF. While living in Michigan in past years, it has been always my first destination whenever I have any chance to go to Chicago. (4-5 Hours of driving is a quick run when you think you can reach this restaurant) This restaurant is not much a friendly place if you eat in single, but if you are with couple of buddies who loves beef (especially Chadol- the thinest beef cut), this is definite a pig out place to check for. Thinking of Chadol and fried rice with stone fan with cold noodle (you can ask the split.. order one dish and ask for spilit in serving) is always making my mouth full of water
(5)Jared J.
I thought it was very good. Service was good, and we had no Koreans with us. We actually BYOBed a whole bottle of vodka and a 2 liter of soda water- they brought glasses of ice and refills of ice throughout the meal. They also did the majority of the grilling for us, which was very nice. Had the Cha Deul Bae-gi. Definitely get this. It is an order for 2, but this worked well for 3 after ordering an appetizer. We also had the Kalbi (short ribs)- they were excellent and cooked in the kitchen so that they came out just right. We also ordered the steamed potstickers which were pretty good. The ban chan was good, not great, and as read in other reviews, gets combined with fried rice at the end of the Chad Deul Bae-gi.
(5)Kyung P.
I'm Korean. With that said, here are a couple of tid-bits about Korean people: 1) We are impatient, especially if we are hungry. 2) We want food, fast, then after we're done eating, we leave fast. The servers are not rude. They just try to be as efficient as possible, to get as many people seated and fed. It is just a cultural difference. I always order the same thing when I eat here: 1) Chadolbaegi (a marbled cut of meat, not marinated, cooked on stone pot) 2) Mul nengmyun (buckwheat noodles in cold broth) If you have never had Korean food, I would stick to the traditional meat dishes, the cold noodle dish is an acquired taste. After you're done eating the yummy chadolbaegi with all of the side dishes, you get rice! My favorite part of the meal. The rice is cooked on the stone pot (same one you cooked your meat on) with kimchi and a few other leftover veggies from your table, and you basically get fried rice, made at your table! (This is all included in the cost of the chadolbaegi!!!) Warning: you will be burping up Korean food for the rest of the night. Cho Sun Ok is not trendy, and you're not paying to be somewhere upscale. If you can, bring a Korean friend with you (everyone should have at least one of those!)!
(5)Andrew B.
The food is still outstanding.... but... I have to revise my review based on brutal service. On two occasions now our waitress has actually refused to give recommendations and looked incredulous when we asked. To refill our water glass, our last waitress bent her hand into a claw shape and just held it there in front my face until we figured out that she wanted us to stick the water glass in her hand. No please. No thank you. Just a claw and a look of irritated impatience.
(3)Daniel C.
The general rule of thumb for ethnic cuisines is you can tell how good and authentic the place is by the ethnicity of the diners. Cho San Ok is always packed with Korean diners, and for good reason! The food here is really good! I always get the thin slices of non-marinated beef, cooked on a stone top right in front of you, and dipped in a sauce comprised of sesame oil, salt and pepper. Simplicity at its best! The drippings from the beef are then used to make a delicious kimchi fried rice. Other things I've enjoyed are the yuk gae jang, a spicy beef soup, and grilled mackarel. The only negative thing I can say is that service can be a bit cold.
(5)John B.
Interesting place. Three of us went with two bottles of 2buckChuck on Wednesday night. Service: The waitress provided the most gracious and accommodating service we have experienced in a long time. Kidding. She was surly, but the service was okay. Not good, but not as bad as some review describe. This was not a weekend evening, but the place was full and all the waitresses were running. In any case, I can't give this a place for service. Food: We ordered #6 for three (i.e. divide the price for two by two and multiply by 3). The waitress brought a plate stacked with thinly sliced beef and covered the table with at least 15 small dishes with various vegetables. She slapped down several slices of beef into the hot pan which was meant, I think, a wordless how to lesson. We took it from there. Eventually N asked about the rice and the waitress returned with a small dish of some secret stuff and a bowl of rice. She dumped it into the hot pan, stirred it and left. Eventually she returned and stirred in some of the remains from the small plates. The result was remarkably tasty. I'm talking really tasty. Atmosphere: Too bright. Unusual. But altogether it somehow makes for an experience. Price: I think the total bill was $60 for three of us. We didn't order any appetizers or soup. There was plenty to eat. We plan to go back.
(4)Diana S.
You come here dressed as if you are going to workout, except the only thing you are working out is your mouth and tummy. Why wear crappy gear that has elastic? You WILL leave stinking of Korean food and you will be happily stuffed and feeling pleasantly plump. It's best to come with a group of 4-6 for maximum variety. We always start with the seafood pancake. mMmMMM... Then I like a pile of the bulgogi that is not marinated. meeeeeaaat. Don't forget you get a ton of banchan(side dishes) that come with the meal. Then at the end they make this tasty kimchee fried rice. Oh yummy!
(4)Johanna C.
This place is great. It is very homey and not fancy by any means. It is straight up about delicious food! Since it is very small, the scents tend to linger within the room and you will leave the place smelling like meat and garlic. Just warnin' ya! My favorite item by far is the Jab Chae. Delicious. The Bul-Go-Gi is good, I find that it's not marinated as much as I like but it compliments all the side dishes you get with your order. There's a side dish that tastes like potato salad that I love from here. It's a great experience cooking the meat with a group of friends. If you take too long to cook the meat, one of the ladies will come and speed up the job for you. It's cute. Unfortunately the service isn't fantastic. If you are used to just drinking water, it takes them awhile to come around. You'll have to ask them to give you a refill. I suggest ordering all your drinks once you put in the initial order. The bathroom is also past the cooks from what my friends have told me. Dunno if that's a dealbreaker for some folks. Come here at lunch or on a weekday night. You will most definitely have to wait on a weekend because this place is packed. There's seating for about 20 - 30 people, if not less. It's also very close quarters.
(4)Sandra J.
My best friend is Korean and she moved to CA, so I don't get the Korean food I grew up on. Dan and I were looking to try something new and I suggested Korean. I have seen this place many times in passing and was never really sure if it was open or if it had a name. We were very lucky with our timing because we had a table instantly and we were there early. We got a table with the BBQ station. I wish I knew this place was BYOB because watching people drink beer and wine made me so thirsty. There is a Jewel a block down and we thought of it after we sat down, so remember BYOB! The waitresses reminded me of my friend's mother so I felt like she knew what we wanted. She didn't so I texted my BF and asked her for what the name is of what her mom would serve me. I wish we knew how big the portions were before we ordered because for two people we had a LOT of food. We ordered Bulgogi and Japchae and then a whole bunch of bowls came out way. There was so many different Korean sides that I took a picture and uploaded it to yelp. I LOVE the Kimchi and it was in the bowls. I wish I can spell the names of all the sides, but be open to tastes new flavors. I was hoping we would have gotten a side of lettuce to make lettuce wraps but that wasn't available. =( Dan never had Korean food and he was loving it. I was so happy we took a chance and came here. Our dinner was really reasonably priced and we left with very full bellies. The Lincoln bus would be the closest public trans but from Irving Park Brown Line there is a bit of a walk.
(4)Giselle R.
I know I know the service isn't the greatest (and that's the only reason it got 4 stars), but once you get over that, the food really is great..The bulgogi is good as well as the marinated short ribs. The side dishes are delicious and they keep refilling them as you're eating them. Best of all, it really is reasonably priced. I'm not Korean but i've tried my fair share of Korean restaurants and I can say this place is one of the best. Don't let the service turn you off, I personally don't think it's that bad. Give it a try!
(4)Diera H.
I completely agree with Andrea K. If you're not Korean, they will be super rude to you. My boyfriend and I were ignored for so long until we actually get a table. I didn't order anything BBQ though, so maybe that's why the food was not that good, I guess? I came here with such high expectations given the reviews here on Yelp as well as from my friends. I ordered both Galbi and Bulgogi ready in the plate cooked by them, and neither tastes any good.
(2)Wolfgang S.
I went with a friend that knew what he was doing and had a great time. It is very interactive and a fun atmosphere. Ordered the Bul-Go-Gi, Dumplings, Doeji Gui, and Kimchi Jjigae. Brought our own wine. The meal came with little tasty sides. Ate too much! Great for 2 to 3 people. You have to be quick with the service, they are on the move! I will return!
(4)Davey G.
This restaurant is currently the only "must-hit" place on my list when I go back to visit Chicago. I somehow managed to spend four years in the city without ever eating in this part of town. (Darn that Hyde Park bubble!) I suppose my Korean-American friends didn't think I'd be down to try it... or, knowing me back then, I could have just been in one of my moods. Sigh. It was five years later and my best friend, Hyemin, must have finally realized that I was ready for Chicago-style Korean. In a way, I'm glad I didn't find out about it until then -- I would have easily gained about 20 lbs. because this would have become the go-to spot for dinners with my fraternity brothers. Most def. We arrived at an odd hour, somehow avoiding the lunch and dinner rushes which meant good service. I let Hyemin do all the ordering. I think we got chadolbaegi. Mmm, meat. Then more meat. Then the "leftover" meat is turned into a fried rice dish that we all proceeded to devour. Wait, weren't we all "full" just 5 minutes ago?! Rice swimming in rich, fatty meat drippings--can't I just call it dessert?
(5)Debbie E.
Giving them four stars for the food and value only! Plenty of food and with lots of accompaniments at a great price. And everything we had was delicious. As previous reviews have indicated, the service is horrible and the place is tiny. We happen to go on the hottest day of the year so far (102 degrees out) and the place was stifling. No air as far as we could tell, but it was packed with a constant stream of customers. The restaurant is so small that you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathrooms. Not a pleasant thought. Too bad about these shortcomings, otherwise we'd be regulars even though it's out of our way.
(4)Jim W.
I could smell the fumes coming out of this joint half a block away when we drove past it. The line was really bad considering it was a Sunday nite. The good news was that the restaurant was full of Koreans - always a good sign when the guests of an ethnic restaurant are of that ethnicity. The bad news was that service was not great and the place was grimy - I almost killed myself by slipping on the grease on the floor. I probably should have saved this review for a later date, b/c my tastebuds were shot from the half bottle of Patron I downed the night before, but the food tasted only ok. Cho Sun Ok uses a stonetop grill with no oil drip! Which means you ingest all the wholesome goodness from your bbq. We ordered some beef brisket, kimchee tofu jeegae (I think)and haemul pajun (seafood pancake). Of our little dishes, I didn't think the kimchee was great, but I'm not Korean, what do I know. In summary, I'll probably have to go back when I can actually taste the food more. At the conclusion of our meal though, I loved how they took leftover vegetables and cooked rice on the stonepot, I love it crispy! The takeaway from our meal was that we could all smell each other, great bonding material.
(3)Pickiest Eater A.
Great food! Love cooking on the tabletop stove. The marinated beef is great, there are a bunch of sides to go along with the meal. For $25 it feeds 2!
(5)Yujin A.
Based on two different kinds of naeng myun and haemul pajun(seafood scallion pancake), I would not come back to this restaurant. Service is actually better than an average Korean restaurant, but the food here was quite terrible. I haven't seen any haemul pajun with less seafood in my entire life. They should really name it pajun with extra flour batter. Naengmyun was just bad. Having been a big fan of naengmyun since I was a year old(according to my mom), I've had different kinds at all sorts of places. Maybe I'm just being picky, but I didn't finish 1/3 of the naemyun, and I am such a foodie. Oh,, they have really good Kimchi though. If you somehow find yourself in Cho Sun Ok, do yourself a favor and avoid naengmyun and pajun.
(2)Andrew A.
Service still needs to be improved. Also the naengmyun needs to be iced better instead of just dropping in some ice cubes. Both were way better in Seoul on a recent trip. I only say these things as someone who wants to keep going to your restaurant. I know you guys get the crowds, with lines out the door, despite the bad service but I still feel like you could and should fix it.
(2)Chole L.
Went here for my bday dinner with my bf. I agreed that food was alright but service SUCKS! I guess it's normal because i have been to other korean restaurants in the past where the korean lady servers were also very rude and mean. I don't get why but i guess we just have to accept it.
(2)Amy M.
Very inexpensive wanted to try this place...heard they have beef brisket and wanted the beef brisket to be like version I had in Los Angeles. It's not!... but I guess for a fix it might cover your craving. However, the fried rice made after your meal is awesome! Yummy! I like the fact they do have smaller bowls of korean soup instead of the regular size so you can have it as an add on to your meal. Good lunch spot, I heard this place can get quite crowded during dinner so lunch might be a better choice.
(3)Adam R.
My wife and I ate at this restaurant last Sunday in the late afternoon. I did my homework (thanks yelpers!) so we arrived after the lunch rush but before the dinner rush - even then, it was still pretty crowded but there were a few tables open. We were seated very promptly and given menus. I knew that we would try #6 (the non-marinated beef) and just leave it at that for the visit. For the both of us, it was more than enough food. Upon hearing our order, the waitress moved the burner to the side of the table - *plonk* - and walked away. We smiled, having read the reviews and understanding what we were in for. I sort of felt the same way I feel when I'm in line for a roller coaster ride in an amusement park :-) The sides arrived - very good stuff and lots of it - and then the meat and the onions/jalepe~nos/garlic/paste. What is that paste? It looks like curry paste - were we supposed to use that to cook the meat? Oh well, maybe next time. A giant bowl of salad-like mixture was also brought. I guess that was just actually salad, and we ate it like that. I *thought* I knew how to cook the meat, but after a while of seeing us filling the grill with only one layer of meat, the waitress walked over, grabbed a big mound of meat, dropped it on the grill, and moved it around a bit. So *that's* how you do it. Next time we know. The place was filling up. There were a few non-Koreans there when we walked in, but when I looked up 10 minutes later, we were the only non-Koreans left in the joint (and all the table except the one by the door were full.) The line was starting outside, as we expected it would. So, we cooked the rest of the meat as quickly as possible, and the waitress came over and started the kimchee fried rice. She let it sit for a while so I let it sit too - I like burnt rice :-) She did come to stir it up once - rice flew around the table and my wife and I smile at each other knowingly. We ate some of the fried rice and decided we'd "do as the romans do" (even though the place was packed and nearly every Korean seemed to be really taking their time - especially a table next to us that was filled with senior citizens), so I flagged the waitress. She came over, seemed to acknowledge that we wanted to box up the rest of the fried rice (no more meat left - yum!), then disappeared and was back to running from table to table. I flagged another waitress about 5 minutes later after not being successful making eye-contact (I guess that doesn't work in the culture or something?) and was clear that we needed our check and our fried rice to take away. After that attempt, a different waitress came over with a typical Asian food box (you know the kind I mean - like from a Chinese restaurant) and boxed up the fried rice. There was no way I was getting up to walk over and ask for the check - sorry. I don't mind paying at the register, but I firmly believe that the check should be brought to the table - all cultural boundaries as they are. We paid and left, but not without saying goodbye and having a few waitresses thank us for coming in. I thought that was kind of nice, considering all of the harsh reviews I've read about this place. We had a great time and ate a lot of great food, plus had tons of fried rice for another meal at home. Seriously, for all you haters - do your research before trying out a restaurant. As said by other reviewers, this place is known for the food, not the service, and you need to understand that it's a "get in, eat, get out" type of place before you arrive. Don't expect anyone to walk you through how to do anything. If you aren't sure, just "do nothing" and someone will come to help. Then you will know what to do next time. About food odors: my jeans smelled a bit like food when I left, but not my shirt - not at all. It was nothing anywhere near how smelly my clothing was after we ate at a Korean BBQ on west Laurence that had a grill/ventilation/etc. My advice - if you don't want your clothes to smell like food, keep throwing the meat on the grill and don't let it sit empty or it will smoke. You will have the same problem in your own kitchen - It's not the restaurant's fault if you don't know how to cook :-) Give this place a try - you'll like it.
(5)jenni k.
didn't even eat here. we called to make sure they were open tonight. the lady answered in korean. i asked her what time they were open til tonight. she says "we open 10 to 10" and hangs up on me. nope, not getting my business if you can't even be polite over the stupid phone. we ended up at san soo gab san instead. whole 'nother story on that.
(1)Hazel L.
I love this place. It's the most authentic Korean food I've had so far in Chicago. Even the decor reminds me of Seoul. It's hard to get a table right away though - particularly if you have a big group and/or you go during peak hours. My favorite meat here is the chadolbaegi - although to be honest I can't remember if I've ever tried anything other than their meat. I also got the impression that it's one of those places best visited with a friend who knows the food/speaks the language. If you don't have a Korean friend to go with, you should make one, just for the occasion. :p
(5)V M.
I love this place. things to keep in mind: it is small. eat lightly before coming because you will wait..esp if you're with a big crowd. there's only one bbq dish that comes with the rice afterwards- appetizers/ side dishes- they give more if there's a bigger party. waitresses- you need to wave at them for attention- thats how all authentic rests are..and keep in mind there's only 3 of them and knowing how busy that place is..these waitresses are working their butts off- tip nicely to these ladies (and the bus boys) please. the food is excellent- for $25 that feeds two people. you can't beat that! clothing- it's Korean bbq- you're gonna smell like meat for the rest of the day.
(4)Robert F.
Warning: Cho Sun Ok is not for the unitiated. I'd highly recommend being Korean or at least speaking the language The food is "ok", if confusing. Entree's are cooked at your table in a big stone hotplate. You're also given a dozen small dishes which I can only describe as "a variety of stuff". I only call it that because not one of three waitresses explained it to us. They were pretty frustrated that we even asked; crinkling their noses, shaking their heads, and waving their hands like "just fucking eat". Despite my bad experience, they must serve up some good Korean. After 6pm the line up is out the door with Korean (ok, I'm only assuming) people. Thats got to say something about the food. If you know your Korean food, and maybe speak the language, Cho Sun Ok might be an excellent experience. For the rest of us curious intruders, prepare for a heaping helping of scorn and shame for being an ignorant westerner.
(2)Paul C.
I've been here a number of times, and I really like this place as an alternative to trekking out to Koreatown. Some people are criticizing the service here, but I have to say, I think the service is fantastic. Normally Korean joints don't have the most attentive servers--it seems like my Korean friends are always yelling at the waitresses (then again, my Korean friends might just be dicks). But I came here once with no Koreans and got fantastic service. Later I came with an all white crew and the service was even better. Perhaps Koreans are racialist, or perhaps they know enough to treat me like the king I am. If you're not familiar with Korean food you may have some issues, but this place is no more or less intimidating than any other Korean resteraunt I've been to. Sometimes this place gets crazy packed so plan ahead if you're going to go there on a Friday or Saturday night. Also be advised that you will reek of Korean food after you eat here. The last time I went here I went to the movies afterwards and stank like kalbi the whole time. I became all the more nervous when a large group of Korean theater goers kept looking at me and drooling. Cho Son Ok is A-Ok in my book.
(4)Jaki J.
I was there only twice and loved the BBQ!!! It was pretty packed on a Monday night when I went there with my friends, but we got the last table as we entered right ahead of an other two groups. I really liked the fried rice after we finished cooking the beef. The price for the dinner for two isn't really expensive. Definitely coming back !!!
(5)Amy C.
I am from LA and SF and had lots of Korean BBQ before and I never had Korean BBQ on a hot plate until this place. I really do like BBQ with the wooden charcoal better but I guess this place makes it up by doing the fried rice with all the left over stuff at the end!! It was pretty good! I am pretty sure they ripped us off since we were a large group (9ppl). They put us all in a 4 ppl table and gave us one grill. We were served only 1 round of appetizers and only given 2 bowls of rice. We had two types of meat that shouldn't have been more than 4 servings. We also had this very fishy fish which wasn't really good. We ended up paying $18 each and that's surprising since this is the first time I haven't been stuffed at Korean BBQ. I will go back again but next time in a smaller group.
(4)Brad S.
Super K BBQ! You're going to wait a little bit for a table, as this place is very popular. They have a winning formula: tables with gas burners built in, traditional Korean women serving you and cooking your food, and fresh ingredients. We were served no less than 9 mini dishes including kimchi, seaweed, cucumbers, potatoes, fish paste, bean sprouts, apple slaw, and rice. The meat is delivered raw and you get to have control over how it's cooked. Super fun, very affordable, and delicious. I'm making this a regular event each month.
(4)Annie W.
You can never go wrong when the patrons all around are Korean. So don some old clothes and be prepared to stink heavily of meat and scallions--no surprise there, right? The Chadolbeggi is super thin unmarinated meat where they'll toss in kimchi and rice afterwards to make that yummy fried rice. I though mixing in all that left over juices was pretty damn good. Hits the spot. We also ordered the soondoobu (a tad on the salty side) and seafood pancake (some parts tasted a little undercooked? but maybe I just like mine a little less gooey). The place is small but cute inside and definitely beats many Asian places in terms of decor. This has probably become my favorite Korean restaurant in Chi-town.
(4)Joe H.
Late lunch is the new dinner. Me and the old girl went in late afternoon on a Sunday and were the only white folks in the place. Like Great Sea up on Lawrence, this bodes well for the food and experience. Did I mention we had a bottle of wine in hand? Sunday funday. Service was fine as long as you're not in an extreme hurry. And why would you be? The unmarinated meat was cooked to perfection, even if we had to snag a few pieces from the stone pan when the waitress wasn't looking. By the end when the fried rice was cooked up I needed wheels to roll me out...in a good way.
(4)Y G.
My Korean friends take me here a lot, they would know where good Korean food is right? We always do Korean bbq with Cha-Dal-Bae-Gi. SWEET MOTHER OF..its damn good. Plus all the ban-chan (side dishes) they give you is over the top! I came here once, without my Korean sidekicks, with my family and used my limited 20-words vocab of Korean to order. I succeeded and we left full, sleepy, and constipated. Always a good sign. If you aren't familiar with Korean bbq, definitely go a couple of times with someone who is. The servers do speak english, but its super fast and their words only register after a couple of seconds while my brain breaks it down slowly and translate the accent. So expect a lot of pointing at the menu and at other strangers' food. Its ok, they are all used to it. As with any bbq method, you will end up smelling like a July 4th party. We came here for dinner and the line/wait was long. Try to go during lunch or super early/late dinner. You pay around $12/person (usually in a group). Does that rock or what??? Oh yeah there's always street parking in that area. That alone deserves 5 stars.
(5)caroline k.
Best Korean I've had in Chicago, by far. Showed up on a weekday night at 7:30pm and the place was totally packed! We were seated after 15 minutes, and ordered the soondubu jigae (really good, spicy, and huge) and 2 orders of the ssamgyupsal (good, but very fatty) just to get the rice bokeum they make for you in the end. I have never seen this done at any other Korean restaurant, but it's awesome, and the banchan is really fresh, plentiful, and really authentic. I've been to most of the other popular Korean joints in the Chicago area and this one tops my list.
(5)choong l.
Ask any Korean about their top choices for grilled meat or neng-myun (buckwheat noodles in cold broth) they'll invariably mention Cho Sun Ok. Even when they never fail to add, "but it's overrun with non-Koreans," this place is an exception to the rule that a place filled with just the 'natives' is the most authentic. It's been in business for close to three decades, and I've been coming for 10 years and the food hasn't changed one bit. Know what you're getting into. The serving staff (most of them have been on staff for years) are trained to do one thing -- take your order, bring your food, and correct your mistakes when you're fumbling at the grill. If you expected anything beyond that... like checking up on you to see if you needed anything else, or making small chat... you'll be sorely disappointed. Now, for things that they are trained to do, they are ruthlessly efficient... and they have to be. It's a tiny join with rapid turnovers, and they've gotten this to a science -- you'll observe they have the optimum number of servers to be as efficient as possible while avoiding colliding into each other in the tiny space. None of the Koreans will complain, and you shoudn't either. Ah, and don't be taken aback if they scurry up to yoru table, snatch the tong from your inept hands and throw a jaw-dropping amount of meat onto the hot grill, give it a quick stir or two and scurry away without saying a word. That's because if you don't keep an ample amount of food covering the grill surface, the au jus will eventually burn and smoke up. Another misconception is that non-Koreans are treated like second class citizens. Not true. The barebones service applies to everyone, young and old, light and dark skinned. I'm a Korean. I know. It's just the way it is, and it's not to be rude, but just how it is. Enough glowing raves were said about the BBQ, but people also forget about their delicious side dishes. Yes, these are typical of the fare that grace the table at just about any Korean restaurants, but Cho Sun Ok's are delicate (not salty, sugary or overly spicy), free of MSGs and thoughtfully made. The "kimchi in cold broth" that is served per person that accompanies their BBQ is a good example. I've known pregnant friends who had cravings specifically for this stuff. Speaking of cold broth, another thing most non-Koreans miss is the naeng-myun. There's several kind (spicy one without broth, or the one in cold broth) but I'm talking about the latter. Yes, cold buckwheat noodle soup sounds weird, and it definitely isn't as palatable as our BBQ meat, but it's an indispensible delicacy for the summer weather for Koreans, and Cho Sun Ok's reputed be one of the best restaurants for this in the city. If you come during lunch hours, you'll see many Koreans happily slurping away with their faces buried in the big bowl. Hint: you would normally season it up with the vinegar (~2 tbs), korean mustard (~1-2 tsp)and hot pepper paste (optional) that accompany the dish. It's one of the rare places that deserves a five star for its authenticity and the general awesomeness of the food. For most of my (Korean) friends, this is their favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(5)Joe A.
Service, or lack thereof is the problem here. And it's not an issue of nationality, hierarchy, customs, or traditions. It's just bad business practices and a flow of ignorant fresh guests or browbeaten victims trudging back to this place for a beatdown and some decent Korean food. I've come here twice over the last 10+ years and wondered each time what was wrong with the people running this place. I hear from Korean and non-Korean friends that the food is ok. Last month, I invited my family here for a lunch at my brother in law's suggestion to give it a second chance . So I drive my parents, wife, kids... and they walk in, sit down at an open table while I go park. No greetings, no hellos. By the time I walk in a couple of minutes later, I see the waitress yelling at my father to move our group to another table. I look around, there's nobody in the place, and I'm thinking to myself, why are you insisting that we move near the door? Why can't we pick the table? So I walk over and tell her that we are expecting two more (bro-in-law, sis) and that we like the table. And I tell her to stop yelling. She goes right back to telling us to move. Now he's a more broad minded man than I and would have moved, but the only moving I did was to walk my family out. Now we all know there aren't too many places within the city for good Korean food, but there are plenty of avenues where the appetizers don't start with insults "on the house". Did I mention that I am Korean? This place is an equal opportunity hellhole. Stay away from here.
(1)Ms. R.
This review is only based on take-out orders from here. Have really only ordered bibim bap because wanted to eat something somewhat healthy and you get a decent serving for $7. I can usually have two meals from one order and the meal is tasty. I'd have to agree with a lot of the reviewers about their rude and abrupt service, and that's why I won't order from them again or dine in ever. They have to work on their language issues. If you're in the service industry here in the USA, you need to speak and understand English. My boyfriend ordered take out from there once. He ordered the #27 and when he went to pick up his order, he instead got a $27 meal! He was too nice (and hungry) to say anything, so he just paid and left with his $27 meal. Needless to say, he was not expecting to pay that much for dinner that night.
(1)Danny C.
I think I almost cried when I took my first bite. This place came highly recommended by a co-worker of mine. She's Korean, lives here, and she raved about this place. We had the Bulgulgi, and that Pancheon seafood pancake stuff. Wow, SOOOO good. I've never been to Korea, but I imagine this is what it feels like there, come in from the cold to tasty, hearty, *Seoul* food. No pun intended. Ok, maybe a little. The decor reminds of every other good-ass Asian restaurant. It can be best described as the "we don't fuck around" look. They really are all about the food. The waitress either barely spoke English or barely spoke. It was awesome. She was that perfect diner, no nonsense, get you in, fed, and out, lady. Cept, Korean. If you love flavor, meat, and a casual good time. Please go and grill up some flesh. Your stomach will thank you! Definitely going back soon...
(4)Katty D.
This used to be a regular spot for me and my favorite 4 dinner friends - but it was recently replaced with Solga. complaints - the line to get a table is impossible, the ventilation sucks and you smell like garlic for the next 3 days and they have 2 waitresses that serve the whole joint. why we go there - the Chadolbaegi - its a non marinated beef cooked table side on a stone plate. They are also known for their buckwheat noodles and I personally love their seol lang tang. The best part of the meal if you order Chadolbaegi - they make this great fried rice with all the leftover panchan at the table and kimchi.
(4)Sonya P.
this place has been around for over 20 years and the reason is the food. very authentic, especially the kimchees, with no "americanized" dishes. i went here as a child, moved away for 10 yrs, and returned, but food hasn't changed thank god. favorites are chadolbaegi, yookgaejang, moolnaengmyun, sollungtang. some dishes that are popular with my american friends include japchae, manduguk, ojinguh bokum, and of course galbi. place has no ambience whatsoever, wait svc is always rushed during peak hours 6:00-9:00 (even if you're korean, which i am). tip for the newbies: if you want to cook at the table, order the non-marinated meats, or order at least 3 portions of the marinated meats. otherwise they will cook it for you. they only do the tableside post-meat rice saute if you order a non-marinated meat. also if you like your roasted fish, but prefer not to have it staring at you while you eat, ask them to cut the head off for you before serving. * Pros: REAL Korean food like mom makes, fresh side dishes, great kimchees, tableside kimchee fried rice * Cons: service can be rushed, wait staff not fluent in English although getting better about this in the last few years
(5)Eric Q.
This little restaurant on the corner is perfect for taking a couple friends or a date out for a nice little meal; BYOB too. It is usually quite packed there and for a good reason. It's delicious! This is my favourite spot for Bul-Gol-Gi and their fried rice makes me smile as it is not as heavy or greasey as some places. I have yet to try the Chadolbaegi but, have heard it is a specialty of theirs. I love the "homey" feel you get being inside there.
(5)Sean C.
Go here if you want some great korean food for a reasonable price, I reccomend the bulgogi beef, Chapchae, and bibim-men, (bi-bim-bap with buckwheat noodles). could be tough to find a seat at times, but a good BYOB restaurant that is reasonably priced.....need I say more?
(4)Sue K.
Come early if you don't want to wait - crowded even on week nights. Cha dol bae gi is their specialty - thin beef cooked on table in stone griddle. Remaining puddle of glorious fat is used to cook up the meanest fried rice you ever had. Another house specialty is the yolmu kimchee -- (not the regular cabbage kimchee most people know). It's the little bowl of cold red broth with stemmy greens inside. Get the cold noodles in broth (mool naeng myun), also very good here, and pour some of the kimchee liquid in. Now you're eating for real.
(5)Anonymous F.
The food was good; very good, in fact. I was a little disturbed by the lack of rice, and the waitress's hasty attempts at explaining the rice situation did little to resolve my confusion. I still don't know why we didn't get any. But food aside, this place is insane. If you're there on a weekend, do not let them seat you close to the door. We thought we got lucky because we were seated just before the line got long, but oh how wrong we were. People line up for hours in and outside this place, so if you're closest to the door you're going to have people staring at you throughout the meal. We were glared at for taking too long, stared at while eating, and our food was endlessly commented upon. One guy even thought it was okay to lean on our table! I could barely concentrate on my food because the whole experience was so uncomfortable. Do yourself a favor and go here on a weekday.
(3)Edward P.
I eat here a few times a year. I love the Bulgoki. It's a great BYOB spot in the neighborhood. The service is decent. It's a good place.
(4)ron k.
Let's get this $hit straight..... I'm korean and every other korean place in the city ranks under this place in my opinion..... with that said this place has f*cked up service.... i'm not gonna lie..... but if you like meat you can't beat the cha dol bae gi.... hands down the best deal on korean food on the planet earth or at least in chi town...... if you want good food and can cope with f*cked service go here cus its as good as it gets here in chi-town and the chicago land area and its dirty cheap.
(5)Angie K.
Mind you, don't where your nicest clothes to this place - it'll all end up smelling like Korean BBQ! That said, this place is definitely one of my favorite Korean food places in Chicago. The menu has everything you could want - jji gae's, lots of meat to BBQ right on the table, etc. I went with a group of friends last time and the pile of meat we got at the table looked like it was the size of a small cow! Portions are great, price is reasonable, and the food just tastes good. Not as good as Ktown in LA, but good all the same...
(4)Claire G.
Yay! Open for business. I love the food here - it's very close to where I live, so I get my kimchi fix on whenever I like. It's BYOB. It's not a good place to take vegetarians. Oops - discovered that the hard way.
(4)Steven T.
Love it here: whenever I'm in the mood for a stuffing of Korean feast, I call some of my study group (i'm the only non-Korean) and indulge in the biggest variety of food you'll have at your own table: from the soup to the banchan to the naengmyun, sometimes I don't even know where to begin eating because there's so much going on in front of my face. Yum yum yum is all I have to say.
(5)Jeff C.
Nothing but a positive experience here. It's your typical korean BBQ done right. Only downside is sometimes there's a long wait if you have a group larger than 4. Wear your scrubs in, and plan on tossing them afterwards...you will be infused with "aroma" upon dining.
(4)Kevin A.
Cho Sun Ok is definitely my restaurant of choice when I want Korean food and don't feel like driving up to Lawrence. The place is popular and the restaurant is small which makes the wait kind of a pain in the evenings. I'd recommend that you expect it and just deal with it, because it still beats driving up to Lawrence. Recommendations: try the kalbi, bulgogi, squid, and the soon du boo (apologies for the spelling). Avoid: the mandoo (greasy, and a 2nd degree burn waiting to happen) and wearing nice clothes (you should already know this).
(4)cindy k.
The food is so delicious! Definitely go with the thin-sliced ribeye meat to cook at the table and save some space in your tummy for the kimchi fried rice afterwards that they cook right on the same stone skillet which soaks up the juice/fat from the meat. We usually save some of the meat to throw in there as well. A cautious warning: do not expect any sort of good service and you'll be okay. Most of the time, the waitresses are running around trying to get everything done but they aren't usually attentive to even refill your side dishes nor water cup. So you may have to gently remind them a few times to get what you need!
(4)Leo L.
Small and popular, dont be surprised to find yourself waiting in line. Outside. There is no waiting list so be prepared to hold your place! The first time I came here I cut to the front to see if I could get our name on a list and a lady thought I was cutting in front of her. Not really known for friendly service, the staff is hurried and to the point. So dont expect to them to be very attentive, they wont be. But the food here is great once you get to sit down. Any of the usual Korean BBQ'd meat is great. Try the kimchi and rice too. You wont be disappointed. Dont plan on going out afterwards unless you go home and shower/change. You WILL be smoky and smelling like the food when you leave :)
(4)Samantha L.
I enjoyed the bulgogi here, though I thought the service could have been a little bit better, and it got so cold anytime the door opened, so my food got cold fast. I often wish restaurants had their dining areas better insulated for the sake of my food and myself.
(4)George H.
Place was closed on a fri night at 6 pm. Please explain.
(2)John V.
I love this place. The key is to go for lunch! I love the octopus and beef cooked in the stone pan, and when it is not crowded the wait staff will usually assume you do not know what you are doing (which I do not!) and will cook it for you. It is awesome! And all the side dishes that come with it is more than enough to feed a small army.
(4)Nikkie H.
My first foray into Korean food, and it was intimidating! First the super huge wait lining out the door, then sitting down at the table to stare at a menu that was complete gibberish to me. Luckily my friend and her boyfriend were old hats at Korean and explained some things to me. After calming down I realized I was thinking way too hard. Overall I was happy with the experience. I wouldn't get the same dish again, because it was ice old, but super spicy and those two just don't mesh with me. Also, next time I'm going to bring beer. We had wine, and my class kept getting grease splattered into it from the grill on the table. Ew.
(4)Mookie L.
Hands down THE BEST korean food in Chicago. All local Koreans know and go to this place and considering its my favorite food and I've been to almost every korean restaurant in Chicago, this is the best. Albeit, I've been going here a while so they know me, but for those who are going for the first time, you arent going here for the service, you're going for the food. The best part is the end when they mix everything together on the pan - in order to get this, you have to order from the Bbq menu and cook the meat.
(5)Bianca S.
LOVE this place. I went for the first time last weekend with a group on 8. We had to wait about 10 minutes which for a Saturday night isn't bad. Service is a little rushed and preference is definitely given to "real" Koreans who speak the language. I will say this restaurant has come the closest to my mom's bulgogi. I will definitely be back for more. Kim-chi was also very good. Not quite as good as mom's but passable.
(4)Rafael S.
order the house specialty and you wont go wrong, the unamarinated beef slices chadolbeggi. There can be a wait, its a small restaurant. The waitresses are fine they dont talk much but you can communicate your basic needs. its byob, free parking. come with friends, you'll be pretty full afterwards.
(4)Josh E.
It's back in business. I just called there and they're open. I don't care that they were closed down; I'm going back!
(4)Annie S.
I really don't understand why this place is so popular!!! Ok I'm Korean so I think I know the food pretty well and I think their food isn't that great. The last time I came here was for my friend's bday dinner and luckily we didn't have to wait for a table. I felt bad because it was SO CROWDED and the line was out the door, but I know that's pretty normal. So anyways, I ended up ordering tofu seafood soup while everyone else got ribeye (cha dol ba gee), which is what they are known for. The soup was very spicy and I didn't like it. I also didn't like the side dishes that came with the meal--- the selection wasn't good and it was pretty salty. Yeah I don't know why I dislike this place so much but whatever, to each his own! I recommend Woo Chon!
(1)Scott H.
Went here with a couple of friends which included a Korean girl so our experience could have been better than others. We ordered tons of food and once we were tired of grilling on our own, our attentive waitress quickly cooked up the rest and made an impromptu little fried rice dish for us tableside. Loved the food, the Korean beer and the company here. Now I wouldn't hesitate to return, even without an "ambassador" in tow.
(4)aldrich b.
Bottom line....great food, questionable service. The place is small and kind of divey, but this is a place you get your grub on...not where you go on a date. I've been to this place a number of times and the quality of food has been really good most of the time. I think there was one time where I thought the meat was too fatty....but that's like once in like 10-12 visits. I would definitely recommend the chadol gui which is thin slices of unmarinated beef that you cook on a stone plate. The side dishes, or pan chan(sp?), that you get are pretty extensive and it comes with the meal. The type of side dishes you get varies sometimes, but you usually get the cabbage kimchi, radishes, either potato or apple salad, sliced fish cakes, and sliced spring onions. The best part is that after you're done cooking all the meat, they'll take some of the left over kimchi and make kimchi fried rice at your table where you were cooking. I always save some extra meat to eat with the rice....so good. The service is always hit or miss. It's always better when they're not busy, but you will get the occasional long wait for more water or they forget that you ordered a drink. It is what it is.....I'm not saying it's right, but I've been to places with worse service then here.
(4)Vivian Y.
Super tasty! Great service! We were luck to come here at about 6pm and avoided the line up out the door within 30mins. this is on a school night too kids! I went with Korean people and they knew what they were ordering. Everything was delicious! HIghly recommended. Wear clothes you don't care about cuz you will smell like food afterwards. but worth it..I swear!
(5)David W.
After changing a flat tire last Saturday we were definitely ready for a hearty meal. What better on a hot dirty sweaty day than some Korean BBQ. We arrived at Cho Sun Ok at around 5:45PM and just beat the rush. We were seated immediately. We ordered the Bulgogi, which serves two. Just minutes after ordering the kim chee blitzkrieg began. Included in the price of your meal is a bunch of small dishes. A few things pickled, a few things spicy, and a uber delicious potato apple salad. The waitress then delivered our Bulgogi to the hot rock pan on our personal burner at our table. The cooking and the smelling begin! The Bulgogi was delicious, but I was disappointed that they don't do the fried rice at the end when you order Bulgogi. The décor is traditional Korean? I can't really speak intelligently on the interior design philosophy of Korea. My only experience consists of a 3 hour layover in the airport in Seoul. However, the design of Cho Sun Ok is what I'd like to think would be typical in a Korean restaurant in Korea. The service was "prompt". Is prompt a good word when trying to really mean a bit rude and trying to rush us out? I've been Cho Sun Ok several times before and this type of service is what I'd consider par for the course. If you can put up with "prompt" service and smelling like beef after your meal then Cho Sun Ok is for you. I know I can. 1 Bulgogi for 2 -------------------------- $32.00
(3)Nancy B.
This place is really good. I'm 1/2 Korean so I've been eating Korean food all my life. My favorite here is their bi bim bop and bulgolgi. However, the bulgolgi that you cook up at your table is just average. The good stuff is the bulgolgi that THEY cook up for you on the back grill by the entrance. It has a unique flavor that is highly addictive. If you are picky about bathrooms, make sure you go before you get here. To get to the 1 bathroom , you need to walk through the kitchen.
(5)Louie D.
Great Korean restaurant in Chicago. A diamond in the rough. Make sure you get some soju and the cold buckwheat noodles in a broth. This place is hard to find parking tho. Check out this post from one of my compadres: tinyurl.com/kneq44
(4)Aileen V.
This place is pretty tasty. Or it could have been that it was the first time we actually ate in about 10 hours. We had alot of cinnamon raisin bread to hold us over till then. Anyways.. this was our first chicago restaurant when we landed. It was right across the street from Natalie T.'s mom's friend's coffee shop and we couldn't say no. We ordered the unmarinated beef option for two, so it was two orders for the four of us. They give you so much food for what you pay its ridiculous! We had plenty leftover. The food was a bit salty, but it was still yummy, none-the-less! The service was great, really friendly. You have to literally pass through the kitchen to get to the bathroom, and I can vouch that it's pretty clean. The table was kind of small and they cook it for you on the table and my sweater smelt of the beef the rest of my trip in rememberance of this place.
(4)Bradley J.
Definitely go with a Korean - not only will they be able to tell you what's in all the little dishes, they can keep up with the seemingly impatient staff. Also, leave jackets/extra clothes in the car, since they will smell like whatever you ate for a good long time after you've pooped out the meal.
(4)miki s.
The food here is fantastic. A great place to go out with a small group of friends (4-6 ppl) My friends and I dine here every other week, we always order chadolgui to share. The meal comes with banchan and after the beef from the chadolgui is done cooking the waitress makes a kimchi fried rice on the stone pan at your table. I like to let the rice sit for 3 minutes so the bottom of the rice crisps up and slightly burn (soooooo good). The service is okay. The waitresses are fast and efficient, not too big on talking, but I don't mind it. They always take good care of us. Things I've eaten here: Chadolgui for two $24.95 --- this is awesome I get it every time Sundubu $6.95 ---- very yummy spicy seafood tofu soup Kalbi $15.95 --- tastes amazing but better eat it fast doesn't taste good when cold Bulgogi $10.95 --- not as great as other restaurants, you're better off with the kalbi Yukaejang $6.95 --- great flavor, the beef is a little tough but still tastes good Mul Naeng Myeon $6.95 --- I see almost every Korean in this restaurant ordering this so it must be good. I liked it but cold soup and chewy noodles just aren't for me. Maybe I'll develop a taste for it later. I suggest coming in at before 6:30pm, it tends to be pretty packed almost every night.
(4)Carol K.
Korean bbq among other delicious dishes at it's best. Cho Sun Ok is tasty, affordable and fun for groups. This place gets super packed so beware if it's the weekend. It'll either be a long wait, like a line out of the front door down the block kinda wait (it's a smaller place). Either way it's worth the wait so get your chop sticks sharpened and get ready to cook!
(4)R K.
I get excited about going to places to eat where little to no English is spoken. I feel like it means that the restaurant is too focused on the food to be bothered with things like catering to non-native diners and their Americanized ways. I did not grow up with Korean food so I can in no way speak to the authenticity of this place, but who can find fault in massive amounts of tasty food (most of which is meat)? Whenever I've gone here, my friend orders all the food (in Korean) so I have to be proactive about learning about what I'm eating. I still managed to forget half of what we got! here is what i remember (and recommend): bulgogi- super thin, well seasoned beef, the korean pancake (i really don't think there was another name for it), and suhn dubu (seafood soup). at the end of the meal, they will take all the leftover sides and rice and toss it on the grill with the remaining meat and it's really good (my version of beebimbop). I've been to a few of Korean BBQ's in this area. There are some good ones (like San Soo Gab San) but this is my favorite!
(5)Natalie T.
I came here with my mom, her friend and Aileen V after a long flight to Chicago. It wasn't what I was expecting since I wanted to go to Hot Dougs, but hey, her friend wanted to take us there so of course we went. It was really good here. They are really cheap and the quality is great. All the little dishes they had were good and the ladies there cook your meat for you the whole time. The quantity along with quality is really great! For two people for $25, you'll get more than you can eat. At the end they make kim chi fried rice which is pretty good too!
(4)Jazz V.
It's been some time since I've eaten here. I could never forget the experience, though, partly because I am in love with Korean BBQ! My two dinner mates and I ordered the pajeon and the bulgogi. First of all, they're portions are HUGE! Those two dishes stuffed the three of us and we still had leftovers. The pajeon was delicious and everything I could ask for in this dish. The bulbogi was good, but does not stand out from other bulgogi I've had. The banchan was also very tasty. I was a bit disappointed to find out that if you just order the bulgogi and not the chadolgogi, they bring the rice out with the meat so you don't get the fried rice at the end! Also, I think they would benefit greatly if they just made the place a little larger... I personally have no problem with the service. I appreciated the promptness and efficiency. I'm not a fan of servers who give you fake smiles and stay to chat-- just take my order, bring my food fast, and keep my cup filled I could have sworn that our server filled my water from like 3 feet away! I was astounded as I watched the stream of water fly form her pitcher into my cup like those jumping water fountains at Navy Pier. That, my friend, is skill.
(4)Joey R.
Anyone who doesn't give this place a 5 must be clueless when it comes to Korean food. This is the best Korean spot I have found East of the Mississippi and BY FAR without any argument the best place in the midwest for Korean food. I went to a few other places on my own and finally called upon the duties of some local Korean friends I have that brought me here. The food was great (Kalbi, Bulgogi, Kimchi pancakes) and whatever else I tried to stuff my face with was amazing. The ladies that serve you were so much fun and kept trying to give me tips on how to pick up Korean ladies and kept letting me know that my Korean needed a ton of work (which it does). Then after I thought the amazement of this place was over they took our leftover dishes and mixed them in our cooking pot with rice to make a special fried rice type dish. Now this is not very Korean traditional per say but it looked yummy. Sadly I left it on the subway or somewhere and never got to try it but that was a cool +1 to the place. Check out my pics of the food, yumm! This is one of my 2 Chicago spots that are a MUST VISIT when I am in town.
(5)Sayantan B.
Really some of the best Korean BBQ I have had. The service is not restaurant-like but its probably like home, where your mum indicates you to not make a fuss and eat your food like a good boy...no special over the top attention - only 'Here's your food - eat it!'...But then just like mum's cooking - REALLY good food doesn't require good service! The bulgogi was extremely well marinated and cooked on the table on a hot stone plate. In fact, I would recommend if you go to this place then just go for the Korean BBQ because some of the other dishes that my friends ordered, though good, were not as fantastic as the BBQ. The BBQ is their speciality and they do it very well. Also if not opting for the BBQ I would recommend the beef or pork dishes as some of the chicken or fish dishes may not suit all palates. There is of course a line that stretches to the outside and you should definitely consider a 45 min wait during peak periods. Also if you get the Korean BBQ they make a fried rice on that hot stone plate with your leftovers, that you can get in a doggy bag. But we did not get that. Why? Coz we had literally finished everything! And there was not a morsel left!
(5)Y L.
Decent food, BAD service. I had a lot of Korean friends growing up and definitely have plenty of experience with Korean BBQ. The food at CSO is pretty good, the cold noodles, bulgogi and the seafood pancake are my faves. The service leaves a lot to be desired!! If you are not Korean you just don't get treated very well. When they bring out the kimchi they will only give you the "American" types and the portions are much smaller that they will provide to their Korean customers. I always ask for some extras and usually get it, except for the one time where the server told me that they were out of the green onion and ten brought some out for another customer. If you are looking for authentic KB, you will find it here just don't expect too much of the service and be prepared to ask for the things you really want (sometimes more than once). I will still go there on occasion but there are better places out there.
(3)Janet L.
This place is SO delicious. We could tell that it was a hit by the long line for the restaurant. It's a bit cozy inside, but the service was fine and speedy. The air vents never work at Korean BBQ places, so keep your fancy clothes at home. They cook the kalbi for you instead of letting you grill it on your own, but it was still amazing. Chopchae was good, and so were the side dishes. For some reason we didn't get the lettuce leaves or sauce for the bulgolgi/rice, but maybe they just don't serve it that way...? I definitely like the food here better than San Soo Gab San, and it's a lot easier to get to. It's always a good idea to have someone Korean in your party (if possible :oP), but it probably doesn't matter that much at this restaurant. Good value for the amount of food you get. If only it were bigger... This place is BYOB (unlike San Soo Gab San) - we doublechecked with the waitress before whipping out our wine, but we also ordered some soju. Get here early if you don't want to be waiting in line outside.
(4)Sang H.
Cho Sun Ok is a great restaurant that is really crowded, but the quality of food is great. The place is BYOB, and because the place is so busy, the staff is really quick and straight to the point.
(4)Alex B.
Have you ever had a restaurant review defined not by what you ordered, but by what you didn't? I ordered the Bibimbap, which was wholly adequate and good, and my companion had an delicious soup that was so spicy that it was nearly inedible. But was I happy? I say "hell no". Why? Because I didn't get one of the "orders for two" where they cook the food at your table. All of it looked great- I was amazed with the amount of food that the other patrons (all asian) where putting away. They had all order the meals "for two" where you cook your own food at the table. Also the kimchee f'd me up- it exploded in my mouth. The only downside to this byob joint is the lack of ventilation- I've spent all day smelling like burnt soy sauce from the "dinner for two"s cooking at other people's tables!!!!
(4)Kristin S.
Great food for a VERY cheap price. I will say that I spent an EXTENSIVE amount of time doing research before heading here since it was my first time at a Korean BBQ or Korean restaurant in general. I read almost all the yelp reviews which were incredibly helpful. We got there at 7:30 on a Friday night, even though I know that's one of the busiest times. There were only two parties ahead of us in line, but we did have to wait for about 40 minutes for a table since the place is so small. I was pleasantly surprised about the decor, though. From the outside and from some reviews, I was expecting it to be pretty sad looking. I actually thought it looked relatively clean and nice, though it is very small. When we sat down, we ordered the unmarinated beef strps for 2 since that's what I heard was their specialty. The server brought out the 10 bowls of assorted veggies, etc. and was definitely not interested in telling us what they were or if there were directions on how to eat anything, so we just started picking at everything and I was really happy at how good they all were. The beef was brought out and the oil on the cooking stone was smoking, so still unsure what to do, we just started throwing some meat on the grill. Eventually a server came over and seemed perturbed we'd started on our own, but not in a mean way. She threw more meat and the garlic cloves on the stone pot and really got things cooking for us. She did show us how to eat the beef (dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper mixture, pick up some shredded scallions and some marinated onion/jalepeno stuff, cram it in your mouth). It was delicious. We stuffed ourselves with the meat and they came over to make the famous fried rice. I was so sad that I really didn't like the kimchi fried rice. It must be the kimchi because the flavor was just nothing like I'd expect from fried rice, and I didn't really like it. That's just my personal taste though. Don't go expecting the fried rice you've had anywhere else, cause this ain't it. Otherwise, I loved the experience and am planning to go again with a couple more people. It's a good place for small groups (4-6) and a fun experience to share. It's also BYOB so the bill ends up being so small for all the food you get! Definitely try it, but if you're unfamiliar, do your research because I didn't hear much English at all the whole 2 hours we were there. Oh, and you do end up smelling like food, but I have that same experience at the Melting Pot, so any time you're cooking at your table, you're gonna smell like food afterwards. We just left our coats in the car and were fine.
(4)Jims L.
I went at around 7:00 on a Saturday for dinner and had to wait 45 minutes - an hour in the cold (because the tiny foyer was already packed with other people) for a table. But I love that if you order the chadeolbaegi (apparently what they're known for), not only do they give you a LOT, in the end they cook the left overs with rice and sauce to make something like a fried rice that is also delicious! Though I didn't ever get my water refilled throughout the entire dinner, and they don't give as many banchan as I would like, I was really stuffed and pleased at the end.
(4)Bill L.
OK... So here is the situation. I don't usually make it a habit to venture far out of the Gold Coast just to try a restaurant, but today I made the exception. My Yelp friend Andrew B.'s stellar review coupled with my Korean co-worker's nodding approval justified making the special trip all the way out to Lincoln Square. Let me say that these two gents did not steer me wrong. I once heard a real estate agent describe a house as a lovely cottage. Apparently cottage is real estate euphemism for small and neat. Well cottage certainly does describe this place... A lovely Korean cottage. Patron's should not expect the waitstaff to laud over you and apologize for every slight, real or imagined. If you keep these points in mind you should have a great time, if not there is an Olive Garden in Schaumburg with your name all over it. We ordered the bulgulgi BBQ for two. The meal came with an assortment of bowls filled with kimchee and various other spiced pickled delights. The quality of the meat was high. Having it cooked directly in front of us added not only to the ambiance but also gave us a sense of anticipation for what was about to come. As we had little experience with Korean BBQ we were not sure of the proper eating protocol. Were we supposed to nibble on the side dishes while waiting for our meat to finish cooking or were those side dishes to be mixed in with the meat once it was finished cooking? For whatever reason we decided that the side dishes were indeed part of the main course and that we should wait for the meat to finish cooking before eating them; however, we could scarcely keep ourselves from nibbling on the side dishes and mid way through the cooking process started engorging ourselves on them. So why isn't a Korean BBQ on every corner? This is the question that is going to keep me up tonight. Even after hacking and slashing our way west on Irving Park Rd. through Cubs traffic, it was well worth the trip and I look forward to bringing my friends along next time.
(5)C P.
Have eaten here several times. The food is okay. My complaint is more with the service. It tends to be rude and rushed even for Korean standards. Whenever we come with Korean friends, the service is a much friendlier. However, when we come by ourselves, the service is poor. For Korean food with better service I recommend San Soo Gap San. If you need to come here, I suggest bringing Korean people with you.
(2)Tuya S.
This is perhaps one of the few Korean restaurants which caters wide clientele including both local koreans and other random folks. Due to and not limited to its convenient location, that is close to yuppie hub, compared to other further north Korean restaurants (and there are many of them up north) the establishment attracts both experts and amateurs of Korean cuisine. The kitchen prepares excellent food. BUT BE PREPARED to wait at least half hour in line on busy weekends and evenings. Because of the size of the dining area and due to the popularity of its BBQ dishes unfortunately the average wait time might feel like forever. The taste of food is well worth the wait and fresh. I am usually religious about my baby octopus dish; my impression is that they choose not to sacrifice freshness for the sake of marination.
(4)Laura H.
So, my husband has been raving about Korean barbecue for awhile now. I kept hearing the terms "bulgogi" and "kimchi" but had no clue what language he was speaking. Well, tonight I found out and now can understand his infatuation. I have to admit I was a little leery at first, my friends had said that they heard reviews that the restaurant overcharged and badly treated white people. Well, to clear up any confusion:I am as white as they get and I thought that the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the numerous condiments were as plentiful at our table as any other table in the restaurant. My guess is that the bad reviews were due to the people not knowing what to order. I decided to go with the bulgogi (marinated beef) and had no regrets. The meat was very tasty. The price was so good for all the food that you get. I am sadly about to move out of Chicago. When I come back to visit, this place will be in the top three of places I would like to eat.
(4)Marissa M.
First time trying bibimbop outside of korea. Got this as take-out tonight. Was pretty good. Had a hard time communicating with the waitress taking my order. I wanted crispy rice and that just didn't happen. I even used the korean word but I got steamed rice only. It was ready in 15 minutes after placing my order. That seemed appropriate since they were packed inside. I definitely want to go back to eat. The restaurant looked so fun!
(4)Eric S.
Ever since this place was featured on "Check, Please!", it has been nearly impossible to get a seat during regular dining hours. Go early or late or you will end up standing outside for a while. Known for its BBQ, so I usually order the non-marinated beef that you cook on the stone-pot. Plain beef dipped in a salt/sesame oil is to die for. Lately, I've been getting jigae with it and opting for the sun-dubu (seafood-tofu casserole) or kimchee jigae. As with all Korean BBQ's, leave any personal belongings that you do not want to smell like charred beef in the car.
(5)Chan K.
Get here early on the weekends to avoid the wait. Traditional Korean dishes and side dishes were good (except the ones with potato had too much sugar for my tastes). Bring some friends along as some of the specialty dishes are meant for groups of two or more.
(3)Ben E.
This is good stuff. Unlike a few Korean places I've visited, where my Korean friends had to bitch out the servers for not bringing the same panchan as they were providing to entirely Korean groups, I got the full variety of options. As for the food, it's really good quality and I have no complaints. I'm a bigger fan of Korean places that have charcoal grills on the tables, but the stone pans are a pretty good substitute. This restaurant can get very crowded, so be forewarned. It's popular, and rightfully so. My only complaint is that even though they do offer beer, for some bizarre reason it's not on the menu. Maybe I'm just utterly idiotic, but I swear they don't list it at all. I've had better Korean food in Chicago and NYC, but I'd go back here any time.
(4)Fran R.
My boyfriend and I went to this place last night. OMG, the food was out of this world. We did the recom. on yelp and did the un-marinated beef. We also got dumplings. 10 for $4.00 hello. It is not the grill type place, they give you stoneware to cook on. the fried rice takes you back a bit, oh so good. I still can not stop thinking about this place. I live in Brookfeild and I would go thru rush hour to get this. Yes, there is a line. Worth waiting for!! Woo Hooo
(5)Jose C.
Eh.... I love nearly all kinds of Asian food, Thai, Korean, Chinese, etc etc, but this place simply left me feeling very underwhelmed. I came here with a group from work. The group consisted of a Korean man who is a regular here, along with four interns from Korea, and a couple other people. We were cramped in the middle of the tiny restaurant at two tables pushed together. Since the wait staff didn't understand English (or maybe just pretended not to), the Korean man in our group ordered this big communal feast, which consisted of about 450 little white bowls of pickled vegetables, sauces, noodles, squid, and all kinds of stuff. Everything was super duper salty and left me dehydrated, which was a problem in itself since the waitress initially only filled our glasses halfway (???) and never came back to refill until we were almost done. So here I am, my plate before me, surrounded by fifty thousand little bowls of stuff. It felt like a game of food Jenga, or Operation- one wrong move and the bowls start falling off the table. Then the waitress begins cooking thinly-sliced beef on our table, which was kind of cool, except that she kept hovering over me to flip the beef strips. She wouldn't "cycle" around and choose someone else to hover over, she just hated me I guess. So here I am, totally immobile out of fear of knocking something over or getting in the way of the meat-flipping lady, with a bad taste of salty something in my mouth and with an immediate need of some damn water. When the beef was done cooking, it was all I could stomach, but even that stuff was ugh. It's like, you either eat it like you're supposed to (dipped in one of 100 salty sauces) or eat it plain, in which case it is totally bland and akin to eating a Ziploc baggie. At the end, the waitress took all the food we didn't eat, and mixed it in the skillet with about 5 pounds of white rice and made the most disgusting concoction of fried rice I have ever tried (notice I said "tried", not eaten). More saltiness, not much flavor. Just salty and burned. I give this place 2 stars because it may be unfair for me to judge a place like this so harshly. It just is not for me. I have eaten Korean food before that wasn't like this, but maybe this place is more authentic?? I don't know, whatever. I don't want to come here again though.
(2)Diana C.
Wear washable clothes. Your clothes and hair will smell of cooked meat, but what's an extra load of laundry and another shower compared to good Korean food? Also, the prices are the lowest I've paid for Korean food, taking volume and taste into account.
(4)Sherry Y.
This has been a place I've frequented at least five times with different groups of friends. Cho Sun Ok has consistent quality when it comes to their grilled Korean BBQ and many bacchans. I also recommend their seafood pancakes it's delicious! The steamed mandus are just okay. The service is decent. We had to wait for a bit for our food to be brought to us and later on had to remind them to bring our checks over to us a few times, but they only had 3 servers for a busy Friday night. Be prepared for a wait! We left around eight and there was a long line out the restaurant.
(4)Amanda C.
Beware: This restaurant will double or triple charge you!!!!! Their scheme is to tell you your credit card/debit card transaction did not go through and require you to then pay cash. Their food is not good enough to pay 3x the bill. If you must go pay in cash and check your receipt. If I could, I would give this place negative stars. As stated numerous times before on this site, the service is beyond awful. You're lucky if they are rude to you because that means they are paying any attention to you at all. Don't bother going here unless you have zero standards for dining.
(1)Steven H.
I don't usually bother to write a review about dining experience, but the experience we had here has compelled me. I have never been so rudely treated while eating at a restaurant. We asked for extra forks and spoons for our kids, and the wait staff gave us such a dirty look. Toward the end of our meal, they came around and literally pushed our table and the high chair my youngest is sitting on to make room for another group. I will never eat here again.
(1)Mia T.
My fav traditional Korean Restraunt!!! I love this place!! It feel like I'm dining while my grandmothers cooking the good stuff!! Went on Labor Day 2015 w/my Ch Sun Oak buddies (yes I have certain people I go to certain fav restraints with) & as usual the food was fantastic!!! The BBQ is traditional style & at the end they make u Bokembop with remainder of your side dishes... They also have the best Nangmyun (chilled noodle summer dish).... The ladies that work there, I've heard people say they are mean but that's how Korean Ahjoomahs are, they are not mean at all!!! I say GO GO GO GO GO & enjoy!!!! Get there early cause there's a huge line always but it's worth the WAIT!!!! Bon appetite!!!!!
(5)Christine F.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I brought my brother-in-law and sister-in-law here, who both spent the last year living on the east coast of South Korea. They *literally* cried of happiness when we were seated. Everything about this place is authentic, from the food to the ambiance and service. We ordered a TON of food, and it was very reasonably priced. We had what felt like a feast for four people, and our total was only $52. Our notable favorite was the Korean pancake. So yummy. We'll definitely be coming here again the next time they're in Chicago!
(5)C.C. H.
Cho Sun Ok is like going to your brusque Korean aunt's home for grilled meats and stew while she fails at subtly trying to figure out if you're Korean too or if your Korean friend's kid can speak Korean - oh wait, that's just how it is when I go to Korean restaurants. I liked how homey this place was and thought the prices were competitive with other Korean restaurants that provide less banchan/panchan. My friend did say she found the seasoning to be on the sweeter side. I think she could be right about that. I tried hwe for the first time off the appetizers list and thought it was tasty but underwhelming/overdressed. I am probably a raw fish purist who only wants to eat fish lightly brushed with soy. Two adults and one eight year-old shared the ChaDol-Gui, Always fun and delicious with all the fixings and a watchful server stepping in to move our cooking along when we were being inattentive. Wonderful crispy rice finish to sop up all the meat juices. Another friend got the DaeGu MaeUnTang (codfish stew) - it came in a very large stone pot and seemed enough to feed two. She took a big container of leftovers home. Looking forward to going back and continuing to baffle the staff!
(4)Ben A.
Met a friend here for dinner and was excited for it since I haven't had Korean food in way too long. Be warned there are no reservations, you simply line up and wait. The wait isn't so bad until you are "next" and waiting inside the restaurant. From this vantage point I was in sensory overload from the wafting aromas, sizzling of meats and all the banchan! My friend and I ordered the bulgogi - marinated beef and for an appetizer the Mandu - steamed dumplings. The service is quick and efficient, not the most personable because there is a slight language barrier, but that's ok. First to come out is the assortment of banchan - small dishes, steamed dumplings and moments later our marinated beef and and two bowls of steamed white rice. Our server started the cooking process and from there we were self-sufficient. One order of protein is plenty of food for two people. The bulgogi was sliced thin and the marinade was great, subtle saltiness and sweetness. The steamed dumplings were fantastic and I would definitely recommend ordering for an appetizer. I was completely satisfied with the entire meal, plus they are BYOB. Between my friend and I we ate every morsel of food and were thoroughly stuffed. I'm already planning to return for dinner. Plan on smelling like "restaurant" when you leave this establishment. There is a fair amount of smoke and meat vapors circulating the restaurant between the main kitchen and the tabletop cooking.
(5)Greg S.
The food here was so amazing that I didn't even notice the unfriendly service. The owner was sitting at the bar and had a scowl on his face the entire evening. My friend and I tried to get him to laugh but the best we could do was get him to crack a small grimace...for half a second. We were proud even of that. To be clear, the food was so good that the line was out the door for the full 90 minutes we were seated AND it was raining outside. Try the chadolbaegi (unmarinated brisket) for the table and enjoy the many banchan (small dishes like kimchi) that accompany the rice and meat. Pro tip: leave your jacket and nice clothes at home unless you want to smell like BBQ meat for the rest of the week.
(4)Erik P.
People have been pissing and moaning that Cho Sun Ok has terrible service but great food. I will concede that on the surface both of those appear to be true. CSO is a small restaurant that does a lot of business, so apparently it can't be all that bad. Most of the bad reviews complain that the service is poor and the staff is rude. I feel that most Americans are not aware that internationally, dining establishments don't bend over backward to cater to your every whim like they do in America. Also, tips aren't necessary given or wanted. CSO is a Korean restaurant serving primarily Korean patron who understand this. The staff is Korean, the food is Korean, and as someone who has served in Korea I found the whole experience to be pleasant and not at all rude or rushed. If you want someone to kiss your butt and constantly refill your water, there are a lot of choices from sea to shining sea for you to dine. If you want authentic Korean BBQ that is worthy of a lengthy wait, then suck it up, accept that Chicago is an international city with international citizens, and try something new. Who knows... you may just like it.
(4)Jen D.
I was drawn to order carryout based on the ever-present line of Korean people out the door, and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered the bibimbop to go, it was delicious!! I need to go eat-in sometime so I can try a bunch of dishes with friends but I'm not looking forward to the line. It's not fancy inside, but it is... "well loved". PS. Be prepared to smell like the cooking meat when you leave :)
(4)Paul G.
CHO SUN OK!??! OK?! get it. i dont, because it not even pronounced that like so dont say it like that, OK?. The pronunciation is Cho son oh. also, the faster you say it the more accurate it sounds. First off, this place is tiny. They have about 10 tables in the restaurant. Also do not go with a party bigger than 6. We went with 10 people and had to be split up. Which was fine with us. This place is BYOB so pack up the booze and if you forgot, the CVS down the street has alcohol [walkable ~4 minutes southeast on Lincoln]. I did not do any of the ordering but we basically got the thinly sliced beef. It comes with soooo many pieces. It is very good. We wanted to order pork but they told us it had to be cooked in the back for some reason. Anyway, my favorite part about this place is the banchan. WOW. It is sooooo good. They fish cakes are amazing. Like something i've never had before. The kimchi is delicious and you can tell it's how made. We put the kimchi on the hot plate with the beef.... HEAVEN. The warmed up kimchi is so amazing. So definitely try that. Honestly there is not much more to stay about it. The service is decent like any asian place. I don't think this is the best korean food I've ever had [LA has better korean food :( OBVS], but it IS THE BEST in Chicago thus far. So go try Cho Sun OK. Oh did I mention, the sign is yellow and it doesnt have any english Title on it? haha it only says "korean restaurant"
(5)Jaci Y.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant is a popular place to have Korean BBq. When you get there around dinner time the line is out the door to get a table. Partly because the place is small dining room. They turn tables pretty fast too. Long time customers go there for the meats, side dishes, and delicious seafood pancakes. My favorite meal to order is the " non marinaded steak" because it comes with soy bean paste dip for the meat, and at the end of the meal the waitress will cook up some kimchee fried rice with the left over side dishes. It is very delicious way to end Korean bbq. They make great tradition favorite dishes like chap jae ( sweet potato noodles) and mandoo ( Korean pan fried dumplings) they are a hit every time we go there to eat. The really cool thing about Cho Sun Ok is that you it is one of the most affordable Kbbq restaurants. You can eat with a family of 5 people with under $50 which is very reasonable. I say try this place out if you haven't yet, the food is delicious. But I have to warn you waitresses work fast and they can't attend to the table as attentively so you might have to ask for fill your water cup up a few times before that happens. Seconds on side dishes probably not going to happen if it's majorly busy. The is the down side to dining at Cho Sun Ok. However, it is very good and I enjoy going there to dine with family and friends.
(4)Ricardo A.
It was my first time in an authentic Korean bbq place with my friend who is actually Korean. Naturally I gave him free range over the menu and let him decide what we would eat. He ordered two plates bulgogi and chaDol-gui. Which ended up being amazing. The portions were huge and the complimentary kimchi and side food pairings made it all the better. I also loved that they are byob. The only set back is that it is small place so unless you make it there early, you're gonna find yourself waiting in line. But other than that it was truly a delicious and unique experience.
(4)Lorraine L.
This place is always busy. Be prepared for a long wait. And I live a few blocks away so I always pass by this place and I always see patrons waiting outside, even in the cold! It's a small restaurant, hence its intimate setting. The food is great. This was my first Korean restaurant with 2 others who also had never ordered Korean. So it was kind of embarrassing because the waitress seemed like she was in a rush and we did not know what to order. She helped us choose so that was nice. We also brought our own beers so it's a BYOB. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You'll be happily surprised!
(4)Denisse M.
This place is the worst!!! This place is so dirty, the waitress are not nice at all. They need to cut down on their attitude, and learn costumer service. The portions are so small, and not good at all. I had high expectations for this place, but I was completely disappointed. Clean this place up geeez so dirty, fix the tables they look like they're going to fall apart any minute. Teach the waitress how to be nice. The place it's too small it felt like I was trapped in a shoe box. Never coming back here, there's other Korean restaurants that are way better.
(1)Samantha S.
Very authentic. Down to the "unique" service that you would expect at a restaurant if you were actually in a BBQ place in Korea. The food is definitely authentic and tasty. But I can see how the service at this place can really put off some people. The servers here are all older Korean women. They will tell you where to sit, put menus down, and ask you to order, without much more conversation than that. But in Asian countries it pretty much like this. Americans are used to amazing service and consider that a big part of their meal. I am part Korean and I know that I don't look necessarily Korean and went with a white guy so to be honest I think they were a little racist to us. Other reviews I've read said they don't bring certain items to the table if you don't look Korea. Which is what happened to us. We ordered the thinly sliced beef #1 on the BBQ menu. It is supposed to come with dipping sauce and onions. I saw other tables get this and this dish really should not be served without the dipping sauce. I should have spoken up but it is so hard to get these waitresses attention. It was frustrating. So I have mixed feelings about this place. I would go again because I know what to ask for this time. But this place might be better to go with someone who is Korean or at least familiar with Korean culture/cuisine. After your meat is all cooked if you order one of the listed #1-3 BBQ items. You will get kimchi stir fry at the end of your meal. It is yummy and made for a tasty midnight snack after a night of bar hopping. The yuekaejang is what you would expect. I enjoyed it very much! I got the $4 small portion and it was more than plenty for one person in conjunction with the BBQ. Also got the rice cake soup which is nice for someone who doesn't like spicy foods as much. This is a mild soup with chewy rice cakes and egg. If you bring cute Asians kids they will give them free candy. I guess the one nice thing is that they did give us each a piece of gum at the end. Maybe we looked cute too, for adults. haha.
(3)Mawie T.
If you're going out with friends instead of eating alone this is the #1 spot in Chicago to get your meat sweat on. The food is ridiculously good, it's BYOB. Their banchan is pretty great and you get so much when you come with more people. The bulgogi and the brisket are my usual go to's and they're pretty stellar. I had them mix us some kimchi friend rice one time and it was excellent. The service isn't as good as some people would expect, but honestly, that's how I know it's a good place to eat. Come early, it was packed when we tried to get a table for 4 at 8pm on a Thursday.
(5)Connie Franchesca H.
Small place, but very delicious. It was very crowded. Line was out the door. Had to call on the waiters a couple times to remind them of additional orders. Besides that very good.
(4)Chris L.
Food is super cheap for amazing quality. The place is kinda small and always...and I mean ALWAYS packed. Every time I went there are lines out the door. If you come with a big party of 5 or more people....good luck getting a seat. Waited 50 minutes in line to have a 5+ table open up but I understand because this place is freakin good. BYOB too so don't forget your alcohol. Overall great food and great prices for Korean BBQ!
(4)Joyce L.
Boy, Chicago. You really know how to welcome visitors with open arms... sike. I rarely use yelp to unload my rage, but my experience here was just so ridiculous that I feel like I need to document it somewhere.... Continue reading if you'd like to be entertained. This past weekend, I visited Chitown for my little sister's graduation. What was supposed to be a monumental moment and a joyous occasion turned into a disaster because of this place. We drove out 20-30 minutes out from Evanston and were greeted with a line out the door - that's fine, you're popular. I'll take it. My mom went in to put our name down, but the waitresses (all 3 of them SEPARATELY) told her: "We don't take names down. We know the order of who came first." We all thought, "oh, weird. I guess that's how they do in chicago." She told us 15 minutes so we waited outside patiently even though the wait turned out to be much longer than 15 minutes. I saw a minivan pull up and a large party of 11 began to wait outside with us. I saw the ladies of the group tagteaming and bugging the waitresses inside. I knew it was going to happen.... BUT I tried to give them benefit of the doubt. Thirty minutes later, it happened. The party of 11 got seated before us, a party of 7. My mom went in to tell the waitresses that we came first when one of the ladies in the party of 11 started pointing her finger in my mom's face (what a delight she was...) and yelling that they got there first. We looked to the waitress for backup and she said, "oh, we don't know the order. you guys should know who came first." oh HAIL NAH. Long story short, we threw a fit, showed them what hangry looked like and left. I'm so thankful for the one honest man in that party who spoke up and said, "No, I saw them waiting before we got here." The lady who was yelling at my mom immediately got quiet and had nothing to say. I don't doubt the food here is awesome. I was drooling watching people eat while I waited 30 minutes outside their front door, HOWEVER, let me be a diva for a sec... I don't tolerate this kind of service and at that moment, didn't think they deserved our business, which is why we left without eating. I don't think anyone NOR anyone's mom should be treated in this manner, but you do you booboo. You do you. PS. If you want 1 useful tip that I picked up while waiting there: parties of 4 or smaller get seated much faster because they have different seating areas for smaller groups. That's all I got for ya.
(1)Stephanie S.
I was craving Korean food and decided to give this place a try. There was a long line outside so I decided to see if it was worth the wait. We waited for approximately 45 minutes before we were told where to sit. The service here was a absolute mess. We asked to keep a menu and they bluntly told us "no" and took it out of our hands. When we ordered, they stopped us from ordering more (which may have been a good thing because we ended up with a lot of food). However, the servers were seemed very rushed and unfriendly. The food was pretty average compared to most places I've been. It is byob so that's definitely a plus, but honestly I don't think I would come by here again - with or without a wait time.
(3)Jimmy R.
BYOB, TONS of food. Fried rice at the end of #1 and #3 are amazing. They would never let us order #2 though, or the tofu soup. Any tips on how to try these dishes would be greatly appreciated.
(5)Ting D.
It's NOT worth the wait! We waited for 50 mins after arriving at 5:50 on a Saturday. I wouldn't mind the wait if the food was great. BUT with a selection of like 6 meat items on the menu, below-average side dishes, mediocre sauce, and so-so meat quality, all I can say is that I regret taking the train from downtown for this meal. Oh, I didn't mention the impatient waitresses! They never stood still for our requests, always passing by and barely making eye contact. I am NOT coming back.
(3)Tina L.
If you order the brisket, they make fried rice for you at the end of the meal. That is seriously one of the best parts about Korean BBQ! As far as quality goes, some of the meat is hit or miss. It really depends on the luck of the draw. They could walk out with a plate full of perfectly marbled meat, or you might end up getting no marbling with a lot of fat or just a lot of the red meat, no fat. So don't expect consistency in that department. But I do love that the fried rice at the end will be the perfect close of a delicious meal. A note about waiting: it's a pretty tiny restaurant, and it's gotten quite popular...so expect a wait. The servers will be busy and frazzled but will eventually get to you. So if you're starving and cannot wait, I don't know what to tell you. At least it's BYOB and you can maybe get started on your drinks first? LOL.
(4)Mira S.
We waited about 40 minutes on a random, somewhat cold winter Thursday night, getting inside the door and out of the cold after maybe 15 minutes. The meat smells waft down the block as you walk in. The tiny place probably seats 40, but the tables are all made for several people, and they'll seat two people at them, so it's not super efficient. Then again you sort of need more space on each table for the stoves, which are built into the octagonal tables and long tables, and set on top of the smaller rectangular tables. The clientele was almost all people in their 20s and 30s, except for one middle-aged Korean couple. We didn't go against the grain, getting the number one beef and a scallion pancake. I would have preferred the marinated beef (bulgogi) but they don't do the fried rice with that, and the fried rice is worth trying. They cooked the beef for us at our table, then dumped in a bunch of kimchi and rice with a bit of beef and the juices in the stone pot. The fried rice made a great lunch the next day. The scallion pancake was stuffed with stuff. They gave us lots of sides, but this wasn't my favorite set; for instance, it was missing the glass noodles I've had at other Korean places. Overall the food was good, service wasn't gushing, but did the job, and it's fun to watch your food cooking. And font forget, it's byob. There's a liquor store about two blocks away, so chances are you'll have plenty of time to walk down while you wait for a table.
(4)Ting Ting ..
Update : I went during lunch hour on a Friday and it was busy so the customer service was decent. Definitely not the best customer service but definitely 10 steps up from when they are super slammed. The food was amazing as always.
(4)Julia D.
Great place to eat if you are elderly Asians. They will serve you like kings. On the other hand, if you are young they will take their sweet time to serve you. Moving on to the food... The juice and fat from the Galbi made the inside of my mouth so happy and warm . The bulgogi was decent. If you make it at the table yourself it's better. Chadolgui was also melt in your mouth delish. Super fatty and crispy. Just how I like my meat hehe.
(4)Stacie L.
There's a joke in a Friends episode about a restaurant being good because there were a lot of Chinese people eating in it. Well, the same goes for Cho Sun Ok, except you know this place is fantastic because there is ALWAYS a line of Korean people (and others) waiting outside. My friends and I were lucky to arrive just before 5pm on a weeknight, so we beat the major rush. We still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, but 30 minutes later, there was literally a line out the door. We ordered the marinated beef (bulgogi) and a seafood pancake for 3. This comes with rice and about 10 other side dishes that will fill the table. You can snack on the sides while the beef cooks right on your table top. It smells amazing, it tastes even better. I did not try to seafood pancake, but my friends said it was just as delicious as previous reviews have mentioned. Overall, this is a solid place for authentic Korean BBQ, but be prepared to wait outside for the experience.
(5)Cindy L.
Food was served so quickly and it was tasty, but the service is meh. You will feel rushed and no one will explain anything to you. I prefer charcoal grills over stone pots, but it was still a lot of meat for the price. Everyone else got fried rice at the end but our table, but we didn't really know what was going on (ie:"/ do we leave the meat in the stoneware or move it to our little plates, etc.). The place fills up quickly, but the food arrives so fast you won't have to wait long. I did feel very rushed by the waitresses. They never came around to refill any side dishes or water
(4)Natan P.
Great food and lots of it. Would definitely return here. Only downside is the wait to get in (no reservations) and it gets hot in there because of all the tabletop cookers, but that's for food this good, it's worth the wait and worth the heat. Bulgogi was excellent along with the Bibimbap and one of the noodle dishes (can't remember name...). Not to mention, the vast array of side dishes they serve you to enjoy before and during your meal was a pleasant surprise.
(4)Barry W.
Excellent Korean food -- Small dinning area so you will probably have to wait, but it is worth it. Not your typical Korean restaurant, more of a home style place, something you might eat at a Korean home not a restaurant.
(4)Evie H.
Cho Sun Ok is probably one of the best Korean bbq places in the Chicago area if you don't feel like spending a fortune for meat (meat-lovers - this place is for you). The banchan dishes are fairly regular. A couple of favorites are the potato salad with apples, fish cake, and the seaweed. As far as appetizers go - order the fried mandu which is basically THE BEST appetizer on the menu served at an incredible price which you won't find anywhere else. It's an awesome steal! Main course - I'm a big proponent of the #1 thin-sliced beef. They bring a giant pile of meat which you can grill yourself. One order can pretty easily feed 2.5 people so order accordingly. I also absolutely love the fried rice at the end of the meal. It's amazing how they can make it so quickly and yet have it taste so homey and delicious. Oddly enough, the fried rice stuck at the bottom towards the very end is weirdly good too so don't let it go to waste! (Clearly I was only a little hungry when I came). Basically if you come prepared for the probably not-so-good service, Cho Sun Ok is the best deal for Korean BBQ in Chicago. Come during off-hours, either a late lunch or an early dinner, to avoid the rush and your service may be slightly better. If you want a place with a better ambiance and service, I would recommend Gogi instead which is slightly further up north (but it's also much pricier).
(5)Nelly M.
If only this place were closer to where I live, I'd definitely come every week! Don't mind the service. Come only for the food! It is really good. A Korean place which is full of Koreans is always a good sign right? I came here right at 12, lunch time so I had to wait for about 20 minutes! But it was all worth the wait. The BBQ was like I expected it and the seafood pancake is good. Good. I wish Madison had a Korean restaurant that has BBQ place like this one.
(5)Sara T.
Whenever a korean bbq craving hits, my mind immediately thinks: "Cho Sun Ok." For a magical explosion of yummy flavors, try the ChaDol-Gui with the accompanying sesame oil & salt dipping sauce, the julienned scallions, and a bite of raw garlic. This particular selection comes with kimchi fried rice at the end of the meal. It's SO money, ironically, for not that much money... it's affordable at around $22 for an order meant to be split amongst 2 people. It's also BYOB so get your soju ready.
(4)Patrycja E Z.
My first Korean BBQ and LOVE it. Everything what we ordered was delish: grilled beef & octopus, seafood pancakes. The other thing is You feel like u went to Korea. Everyone speaks Korean. All eats Korean. You Have a gas burner on the table. This is so COOL!
(5)Jackie M.
One of my favorite korean bbq. I usually come here on Sunday afternoon, which there is no wait! I dislike how the waitress is always rushing me to finish or ignore me. Service is horrible here, but I'm here for the food. I usually order the plain beef and cook on stone bowl, which the waiter later would cook the kim chee fried rice. THe seafood tofu soup is very hearty and enjoyable. The dumpling (fried or steam) is very reasonably priced and delicious. Chap chae was good. Note - do not wear your nice sweater or coat, because you will come out stinking like bbq and kim chee.
(4)Dan M.
A complete hole in the wall but what a pleasant surprise in an unexpected area for me. I was in town and my group came to the conclusion that Korean BBQ was what they were craving. I was a bit skeptical since I am used to true Korean bbq in LA but after a bit of searching this joint popped up on the map. A bit far up on the brown line but we made the journey out there for an early dinner and arrived at the spot around 6:15 on a Friday. There was no line which made sense given how early it was so we were promptly seated. This place does pack up quickly post 6:30 so plan accordingly. This joint is relatively small so it quickly fills up. As everyone else mentions it is in fact a BYOB so bring the Soju from home and save on the overpriced bottles at the restaurant . We decided to of course go with the Brisket (automatic two portions). TIP: You can actually ask for a single serving of a meat dish apparently after discussing with the waitress and order 1 serving of multiple items in case you don't want to be stuck with too much of one thing! The brisket came out and I was immediately surprised. They gave a TON of meat here for a very good price I felt especially for two people. The marbling was good on this one but I could see some inconsistency from the other plates coming out but no complaints since our portion was solid. Cooked well and just delish We wanted to try a few others so we ordered the bulgogi but that was a miss for me and a bit too sweet for me. The fried rice at the end was good also but probably not the best ive had. One thing to note about the service here... yes it seems spotty but I think it has to do with the owner maybe? There seemed to be a visual optic of "rule with iron fist" that seemed to motivate the workers so I think they are just working to be efficient as possible. All in all, a solid joint and will def make this my "go to" for BBQ in Chicago
(4)Jennifer L.
Their food, banchan and overall bargain for my meal was a five, but their service was a one, so a three it is. I don't expect high quality service at Korean joints, that's not the thing, that's not the restaurant culture in Korean joints I've ever expected, but when I have to straight up ask for my check three times after waiting twenty minutes, you are dead to me. When I try to signal for some water, or even some boricha that the waitresses only gave to the More Korean people in the restaurant, and my throat is parched for half an hour, you're deader. I was a single diner on a Thursday, before peak dinner time, and when I first got there, there were three other tables - two with two people and one with three. Then it got to be Korean BBQ fest with multiple parties, including two Korean families, and I was dead to them. The two Korean families were treated like kings and queens, as expected, but, bitches, I'm Korean too! When I told my mom my service sucked, she was not surprised and when I told her I ordered the kimchi jjiggae, she told me the joke is that restaurants use leftover table kimchi to make it - WTF MOM, THANKS FOR THE HEAD'S UP. If that is true, it was still on point. Some restaurants are nicer to you when you are a solo diner, and some are not because they think you're some cheap date. Cho Sun Ok treats you like the latter.
(3)Jialing L.
One of the best places to get korean bbq in Chicago. I would definitely say to try to come here with a Korean friend though; the service is better that way (still not great. but its better). The meat is pretty high quality for kbbq and the banchan (side dishes) and other dishes are good as well. I would say you should get the Cha Dol Gui for sure and the bulgogi if you have enough people to get more meat. I like how they also do fried rice after youve finished the meat. So if you think the meat isn't enough food, the rice will definitely fill you up. Sadly, they do not add more banchan. I've also gotten the seafood pancake (pal jeon); its a huge portion and very well made. The soondubu jigae is very traditional and has just correct amount of spiciness. I'm always complaining that many other places don't have the soup spicy enough but Cho Sun Ok makes it the way I like it. If you're looking for good service, this is not the place. But in my opinion, the food is worth the bad service. And I've been here so many times, I know i'll definitely be back.
(4)Mo M.
Chicago's best food. Chicago's worst service. EAT HERE, NO REGRETS EVER.
(5)Tim W.
A trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without a stop at Cho Sun Ok for some delicious Korean food and a stop at H-mart for a ton of kimchi. Yes, this place is busy. Thus, I make it a point to try to get here at odd hours to promptly get a table. Yes, the service is pretty poor. Yes they will come cook your meat for you if you're too slow. But I've come to expect that as part of the overall experience. After all it's the same 2-3 Korean ladies serving the entire restaurant every time I'm there. Cha Dol is the thing to order. It's super thin, cooks quickly, is perfectly fatty and tastes incredibly good in just the sesame oil/salt/pepper dipping sauce they give you. The seafood pancake has great flavor and thickness to it, but it's more of a green onion pancake with little bits of seafood in it. To finish the meal, they make kimchi fried rice in your stone skillet. One time they let it sit for too long and completely burnt it. We knew it was burnt, but didn't want to mix it because they might yell at us like last time. Also, an OG Korean lady at the next table straight up stole one of our chopsticks without hesitation right after we sat down. This place is awesome.
(5)Yi H.
The food is ok but the service is horrible. Definitely not worth the long drive and long waiting.
(1)MyongHi S.
4 stars for amazing, authentic Korean food. Their stone pot is killer and they'll make kimchi fried rice for you at the table with it. 1 star short because of the terrible service. Oh, PS - the restrooms are quite an experience.
(4)Shauna D.
Chicago's Korean answer to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi!! Great food, terrible service. I had one experience with table top grilling years ago, and I remembered that they brought you the food and you grill it yourself. As soon as we sat down she immediately asked what we were having AS she was putting the menus down. You WILL feel rushed, so if you're not into that, and you're looking to catch up with an old friend and take your time, this is not the place for that. We hurriedly selected the #1 and the fried dumpling appetizer, and I was happy I checked yelp for recommendations/frequent favorites ahead of time, because she was not about to wait for us to browse the menu. After we ordered, they brought us the meat and all the side dishes and veggies, and lit the tabletop stone pot. We waited a few minutes to see if they would return to help us or ask at least if we knew what we were doing. When that never happened, we said, OK, guess we're on our own here, and started putting the meat and garlic and onions in the pot... A few minutes later our server came over with a bewildered look, and a quiet "What are you doing No No No" monologue under he breath as she took what we had in the pot out, and, very minimally/"sort-of" indicated that ALL the meat goes in first, then she will make the kimchi fried rice with several of the small dishes after the meat is cooked. This was never actually articulated, I just put it together after I saw what she did. Not sure why she was so disappointed, after all, she lit a pot and left raw food on our table with any words and walked away.. we are a couple of white people.. we might need a little guidance here. We felt stupid and that wasn't right, we shouldn't have been made to feel that way. Anyway, it's a definite Soup Nazi situation: 1) There will be a wait. 2) You better know what you want ahead of time. 3) Don't mess around or take too long. 4) Don't expect any dialogue. 5) The food is excellent. We (two starving adults) shared the fried dumplings and 1 order of the #1 and we still had leftovers, and our bill was only $31.70... AND its BYOB, AND they take cards... That is pretty hard to beat. Now that we know what to do, we'll be returning and probably often.
(4)MaryAnn Z.
Family vacation to Chicago. Found this restaurant on Google. Should have read All of the YELP reviews! What a Terrible experience! The servers were So RUDE! The food was mediocre at best. The restaurant was small and cramped and the portable gas BBQ were unsafe! Cannot believe the Fire Dept. hasn't shut them down!!! I'm amazed that this place got such high reviews because it was terrible! The food was fair but not memorable. Two tables that were seated after us got served before us. We were pretty much ignored until we complained. Then when we finally placed our order, it was incomplete. The food is Not worth dealing with such rude service!
(1)Jason Y.
Sure is the wait long and the service could be better. But oh mama the food is excellent at a great price point.
(5)Carrie L.
When you put a bunch of hungry people who were delayed and stuck in Chicago in a Korean restaurant, I guess it's fair to say they would definitely over order. We got in around 9 PM and it was a full house. We only had to wait a little bit before we were seated. We each ordered our own korean soup entree (kalbi tang for me!) and two BBQ options. All the food was soo good and their service was quick. We didn't realize they would also serve kimchi fried rice for us. So we were basically left with a ton of left over. Coming from Boston, we were just shocked at how much food and how little we paid. We were also given some hershey bars at the end. Which was odd, but free is free!
(4)Jimmy S.
So the previous reviews were right. Make sure you're ready to wait outside for an hour plus if it's the weekend. We got there at 7:15 on a Saturday and weren't seated until 8:30. You can't put your name on a list, it's just waiting in a line on the side of the building. But let me tell you...once you get inside the aroma is pure meat scented heaven. Once we sat at the table, we had no idea what was going on. The waitress who spoke broken English pointed at a few different menu items, which we followed (besides those that had seafood included). The steak was to die for. Except for the fact that we didn't realize we weren't grilling it fast enough. The sides were...good? Interesting? We didn't know what any of it was. We asked multiple times...and received broken English responses with fingers quickly pointed towards pans or menu items. So was that bean jello or onion? Water chestnut tofu jelly maybe? The noodle dish was good. Spicy maybe? Bland? No idea. The noodles were transparent. I don't even know if beef was included. We brought two bottles of wine. We were rushed out before we could have comfortably drank both. Except there was no line. We could have waited. Oops. The service was nice, if not overly watchful. They never refilled water, put meat on the griddle without asking, or explained anything enough for us that were uninitiated to understand. It's okay. But I just won't know what's going on next time I try a Korean BBQ place. The wait was long, the service was below average, I had no idea what I ordered and yet...I'm beyond happy with the dinner choice. It was fun. I didn't know what I ate. We consumed two bottles of wine between three people. And boldly explored a new frontier of culinary depth. I regret nothing. And yet would never go back to this place on a weekend. But would happily do so on a summer weekday. With my Korean dictionary. 8/10
(4)Patrick C.
This place is one of my favorite places to get Korean BBQ in Chicago. Granted this place is still pretty crappy compared to LA standards, however for Chicago standards it's pretty bomb. This place is not AYCE, but portions are good, the price is just right, and it's BYOB. The biggest negative to this place is that the workers there try to rush you out. They throw all your meat on the grill instead of allowing you to take your time eating. The service can be pretty bad too, but then again, it's a Korean restaurant so what do you expect! Another negative is that you have to wait in line to get in, you can't just put your name on a list and wait for them to call your name. There's always a line during dinner time so during the winter you can be standing in the cold for 1+ hours sometimes.
(4)Tian Y.
Oh goodness this place was packed right up until their closing. We were barely the last people to make it in around 8:30ish (not sure if the hours on Yelp are right, actually) and there were several parties in line ahead of us. Apparently you just line up and get called in - and expect to wait! The place is cramped and tiny and smells like kbbq, but that's what you expect in the middle of the city, right? Service was basically non-existent, even though there were 2 Koreans in our party that spoke to the servers in Korean. I was told that it was even worse when you don't come with Koreans - they just don't get you things and forget about you. Instead of being impatient, you should be more assertive and just remind them periodically. If you like chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket), you're in luck. With tax+tip we paid $16 per serving and were stuffed, and that is SO much cheaper than AYCE kbbq in the suburbs. I was told the slices are normally thinner (like they are everywhere else), but on our day it was particularly thick, tougher, and took a long time to cook... so it may or may not be worth the wait on your day. Then again, the side dishes were delicious (the shredded green onion wasn't thinned out with lettuce, for one) and at the end of the meal, they cook fried rice on the stone pot with side dishes. Haven't decided whether Cho Sun Ok is worth the trouble over more painless options with less wait (San Soo Gab San, for one, or any KBBQ in Niles), but if you do get a chance to eat here, you can expect it to be a reliably good choice!
(4)Jin K.
What's not to like about this mom & pop Korean restaurant! Food is great, quick service, great prices & it's byob!!! Only gripe is that it is a small place & you will have to wait at least an half hour or more to get in. It makes sense, they have great food. We had the 3 orders of the chadol-gui. My wife's favorite & she said it was one of the best she's ever had! High praise, I still can't get over the prices, it's a great value! They had quality side dishes & the waitress will cook kimchee fried rice w/ all the leftover side dishes, classic Korean! My only regret is that we didn't come back & eat here again on our short trip to Chicago. I will be back! As far as the service goes, don't expect much, it's nitty gritty. It helps if you have a cute kid w/ you but you don't come here to get pampered! Just enjoy the great food & value!
(5)Rosa K.
Wtf. I expected a lot about this place. And finally when i got here, it was fxing annoying. They just make us kicked out from there place just because they were busy. We were eating the meat but she keep make us eat faster and faster. I HATE THIS PLACE and I will never go here again. ...
(1)Rose P.
This place have incredible prices but the service is bad. If you don't a Korean friend then it is worse. They make sure you eat fast then leave and there was no rush. No matter how good the food after that kind of service you kind of lose your appetite.
(3)Adrienne T.
Cho Sun Ok does some great things, but they also do some not so great things. Before heading here, keep in mind this place is tiny. I've been here several times, even at odd hours and there is always a wait. The Good: - Their banchan (side dishes) are very fresh and authentic. They usually serve two types of kimchi, as well. I LOVE KIMCHI!!!!!! - They serve the rice at the end of the meal in a bokum bap style, also known as fried rice. I love it. Don't be surprised when they throw in the remainder of your side dishes. This makes for some yummy Korean fried rice. The Bad: - The service here is by far the worst service I've EVER received at a Korean restaurant (In the US and S. Korea). The ladies working here won't even look at you or stop to see if you need anything. Now, I know Korean restaurants are not known for their service, however, trying to get a server to come to your table is not an easy task here. The past time I was here they refused to make eye contact with me and when I spoke to them in KOREAN they turned to my Korean friend instead and answered her - even though she wasn't doing the talking. - They don't serve alcohol. I usually rejoice in the BYOB restaurants. Nonetheless, there is something to be said about soju and meat. It goes REALLY well together. It should be served here, but it is not. That makes me sad. If I want to dine here, I first have to go to Joong Boo Market to get my soju and then go to Cho Sun Ok. - Their yukgaejang is horrible. My Korean friend agreed. It tasted like salted water with some red pepper. Yep - don't order it! Ok - so you see - there are some great things happening here and not so great things, which is why it received my A-OK approval. I prefer other k restaurants where I will at least get served soju and receive better service.
(3)Misty S.
I had a sudden craving for Korean food and came here on a Sunday evening. My internet was down so I wasn't able to properly prepare for a new restaurant (e.g. scan Yelp reviews for tips and tricks). There were things I wish I knew before I came here and this one goes out to all the first timers: Walk Through Guide for Cho Sun Ok: 1. Wear clothes that is ready for a wash - Yes, grab that pair of jeans you have been wearing for a week and that shirt you wore for half a day. I am starting off with this as a reminder that you will smell like a piece of smokey meat dipped in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic sauce after you leave and will want to throw everything you are wearing into the wash after the meal. You will also want to jump into the shower because your hair will absorb the stentch. 2. BYOB - There's also a Jewel within walking distant if you need to pick some up. You might want to bring your own water too because they don't do a good job with the refills. 3. There is no hostess - There is no list to put your name on. Find the end of the line and stand in it until you get a table. If you want to know how long the wait is, you can ask the people in front of you. Even then, you can only speculate. 4. Order Chadolbaegee (Cha Dul Bae Gi or however else you spell it) (unmarinated beef) - Apparently, this is the in thing to order. In my unenlightened state, I went with the ever popular Bul-go-gi (marinated broiled sliced beef) and was not disappointed. Bul-go-gi for two for $25. Open your menu when you are ordering so that you can point to the items you want. This will help your waitress quite a bit. 5. Pass on the spicy beef soup - The broth was quite bland, yet spicy...like watered down tobasco sauce. Maybe that's how it is supposed to be? At least I didn't get beef tendon like I did at SSGS as a result of a communication break down. 6. Banchan arrives shortly after your order - these small dishes of food are quite delicious! You can ask for more if you run out, but you'll have to get someone's attention. 7. Leave the cooking to the waitress - We are used to cooking and flipping our own meat at Korean BBQ's, but almost got our hand slapped by the waitress when we attempted to touch the tongs. "Not ready!!" 8. Ask your waitress - I am adding this one because most of us are used to the waitress doing the asking. If you want something, ask! You won't hear the phrases below here: "I noticed your water glass has been empty for the past 30 minutes, would you like some more?" "You still look hungry, did you want to order something else?" "You have finished eating, are you ready for the check?" 9. End of meal fried rice - I heard and saw but never got. I think you have to order the unmarinated meat to get this. The waitress will come by after the meal and dump your rice into the pan with some kimchi and whip up a delicious batch of fried rice with the left over meat juice. It seems like every other table had this but us. I actually tried ordering fried rice from the menu but they said they ran out. Hmmm...very suspicious. I would come back for the tasty food (minus the soup) at decent prices and relatively fast service. PARKING - There is free street parking nearby, but you might have to drive around to find one. There was plenty enough on a Sunday evening.
(5)Camille R.
After first time visiting here, I was turned off about the service but whatevs. The cha dol bak gi is the best thing that's ever happened to me. Plus the kimchi fried rice at the end to top it all off. BYOB Long wait Meh service (BUT WAY BETTER THAN THAT PIECE OF CRAP SAN SOO GAB SAN) Excellent food
(4)Stephanie M.
very very very close to my grandma and mom's cooking! unfortunately, i do not have the patience to cook some of my beloved korean dishes and its fortunate for me that this restaurant is right near my place in the city. i always stick with my top 3 favorites. the thinly sliced rib eye beef that's pan fried in a stone bowl at your table side (p.s. must mention this before you sit at the table because some seats do not have the gas range at the table), yook gae jang (spicy beef soup), or the do gahn ee tang (beef knuckle soup). everyone of these dishes comes with a massive amount of side dishes (bahn chan) so come with a very very hungry stomach. if you order the cha dohl baek ee (thinly sliced rib eye) after you grill your beef, they will come to your table side and make stir fried rice right in front of you. sort of like what you would find at any hibachi place. they also waste nothing so the stir fried vegetables are your left over bahn chan's (side dishes). the price is very reasonable for the amount of food you get, and guaranteed you will have left overs!!!!!! unless you've got an endless pit of a stomach. probably best that you bring mint gum with you at the end (especially if you're on a date) because korean food uses a lot garlic. :) enjoy!
(5)Wei H.
Pointer #1 - Order those sizzling cook-it-yourself fried rice and BBQ meat stuff!!! It smells heavenly. You will know what I am talking about as soon as you step in coz they are EVERYWHERE permeating the air and occupying your mind until you order it. Plus, you would probably feel like a great chef coz seriously, the meat is marinated perfectly and anything cooked on a the Korean equivalent of a hibachi is legit. I can only imagine because we did not order one. This leads us to Pointer #2. Pointer #2 - Just because other patrons seem to be loving their food, does not mean you will like the dish. When the waitress asked you in a concerned tone "This is spicy! Are you sure?", you should give it a second thought. I am referring to the spicy naengmyeon (cold noodles with broth) that I ordered. Prior to Cho Sun Ok, I had one naengmyeon experience and it was wonderful. I guess I must have gotten a regular version coz boy, the spicy one at this place was very strong. I am used to Sichuan spicy not Korean spicy so sadly I did not enjoy it. Pointer #3 - When in doubt, order barbecue. Their barbecue is amazing. Korean BBQ is not a hype - it is a real and competitive rival of your regular American BBQ. Portions are generous here and you actually become full from just eating it, and satisfied. Pointer #4 - Don't be shy in asking for refills of the side dishes, provided that you like them. As someone that love them, I sadly report to you that, nope, you cannot just treat them as your meal. Each person needs to order their own dish, or have their share of food if you are buying multiple-serving dishes.
(3)Jesus S.
I did enjoy this place... my first impression was kinda scummy as for some reason everyone kept staring at me... maybe cause i was brown and not yellow. and wearing a hoodie.... JAJA IDK Well the place was full, which to me was a good sign, i only had to wait about 10 min to be seated. we ordered 2 Kalbi and 1 bulgogi. the meat was very tender and side dishes seemed freash. i wouldnt mind coming back. as long i i dont get that feeling i did in korea once when i walked into a restaurant and was told koreans ONLY. Sure felt like they wanted to say it... but they knew better....cause ill slap a ho!!! Piece
(3)Ang K.
Went on a Saturday for lunch, no line! The food was tasty :) I don't have much to compare it to but I definitely enjoyed myself and my friend did also. It was fresh, so yay! As per people's suggestions, we ordered the Chadolbaegi (sp?) which is unmarinated, thinly sliced beef. I think we might have enjoyed the Bulgogi (marinated version) a little more, BUT this was good anyway. Fresh and SO thin :D great off the hot stoneware with pretty much any of the banchan (all of which are tasty). We were given about, mmm, 10 or more little dishes and all were thoroughly enjoyed!! And of course, at the end the server made us fried rice with the last batch of the meat :) As for the service. Ok, if you are used to American customer service where you are waited on like royalty, "the customer is ALWAYS right!!", then yes, you will not enjoy it here. As for me, someone who prefers to not be doted on constantly like I was the most precious thing in the world, the service was just fine. The servers took our order, brought out the food, came by every once in a while to glance if we're not ruining anything and/or to chuck some of our meat into the pot to cook it faster, and then if we caught their eye and called them over. They didn't say much, but they were definitely not mean or rude (unless your definition of rude, again, is not having your ass kissed attentively :P). Anyway, we drove all the way out from the northern suburbs, and if you've got the time, sure, make a trip of it. However, I wouldn't go desperately out of my way to drive all the way there for Korean food unless I really needed to satisfy a fix and didn't want to bother taking my chances elsewhere :) it's good but maybe not worth 3 hours roundtrip. Overall though, a solid Korean restaurant :)
(3)Jamie D.
Disclaimer: I've been here countless numbers of times before, and I've always enjoyed the food. The decor is lack-luster, the space is pretty cramped, and if you come around 6-7 PM, it's going to be packed, buuut I've pretty much gotten over that. I've also come to terms with the stiff service from the ajumma. That being said, I'm pretty much just going to review the food. I came here on a date last night, around 9 pm (an hour before close, there was no line) with a Korean dude. It was my first time going there with Korean company, but I didn't expect any stellar treatment from the ajumma just because he was Korean. However, it *did* help get the ordering process. We were both in it for the chadolbaegi. Ten minutes after ordering, our meat came out with the stone bowl. We had both been to CSO before, but it had been a while since he last dined there. When the banchan came out, he was kind of confused and asked, "Where's the lettuce?". One thing to keep in mind, CSO does NOT give lettuce with your meat. I'm sure you can ask for it but I've never done it, and neither did he last night. What chadolbaegi DOES come with are raw, shredded green onions. Don't get me wrong, I love wrapping meat in tons of lettuce, but the green onions go AMAZING with chadolbaegi. It also goes well with the garlic. Dude totally was hardcore and ate it raw, but I asked him if he could cook a few for me and he readily threw in a few cloves to get nice and softened/caramelized. The banchan was plenty and amazing as always (I'm not Korean, so don't hold me up on this, but I really, REALLY enjoy banchan). Last night was kind of a treat because we got water kimchi and large chunks of radish kimchi, in addition to the standard bean sprouts, tofu, sweet glazed potato/carrots, seaweed salad, cucumber, Korean potato salad (my ultimate fav banchan), pickled radish, and napa cabbage kimchi and other dipping sauces. The water kimchi threw me off because it was in a sort of soup bowl and we got two bowls of it, so I assumed it was soup. Upon asking Korean dude, he explained it was water kimchi. I've never had it before but it was YUMMY. Soo refreshing, crunchy, and light. Dude cooked the meat last night, so the ajumma pretty much ignored our table, which was fine. Times I've been there before, they would pile up the meat and leave it there before returning to stir it. Instead, of doing this, dude separated the meat and therefore the meat cooked faster and more evenly. I love my meat crunchy, so he left it a little longer in the stone bowl to get that crunch. Dude compared the chadolbaegi to bacon, and I totally agreed. The fattiness in the meat melts in your mouth like butta! However, I highly recommend you also dip it in the sesame oil and the fermented soybean paste for an extra level of fatty, salty goodness. After eating most of the meat, the ajumma returned to cook the awesome kimchi fried rice. Unfortunately, dude didn't touch the bowl and left it to the ajumma to cook...which kind of resulted in burned rice at the bottom. However, you MUST savor these burned bits! Dude thought I was crazy as I madly scraped the bottom of the bowl afterwards. He was like, "Don't eat the burned parts". It's not burnt..just crispy ; -d We ended the night on an awesome note with barley tea and good conversation about politics. There was another Korean group aside from us at the end of the night chilling at the bigger tables. However, when 10:30 rolled around, the party got up and left, and we took the initiative to do the same. I guess because there weren't many customers who came after we ate, we didn't feel rushed to leave, which was a nice change. I guess that's the plus about going there after the busy hours. I guess my take-home advice for CSO is to come here for the Korean BBQ and be prepared to get stuffed with GOOD food (go for the chadolbaegi!!). You know that stuffed feeling you have after eating so much good food? Oh yeah, that's what we both felt last night. I was walking around with ~two-hour food baby in a food coma. It was THAT good.
(5)Shuyuan Q.
I went Saturday dinner and there r lot of people. I waited for a half hour. Food is good. However, service people are not enough. Maybe it's busy. Still recommend.
(4)I L.
Food was delicious, all of it! Service is where this place is lacking. The lady put the meat on the little cauldron even when i told her we weren't ready yet. She said OK OK and still put it in there... They clearly don't speak Engrish very well, dont let them hurry you around.
(3)Xianyi H.
Fantastic place!!! Nice sides, delicious kimchi fried rice and I love the barbecue stone pan! The price there is also reasonable, about $15 per person.
(5)Jaime G.
Best Korean in town. Like authentic Korean or interested in trying? Cho Sun Ok in Lincoln Square is the place for you. Come now. It's that good. And bring your own brew...it's BYOB.
(5)Brian K.
Famous For: (My rating in parentheses) - Chadolbaegi (10/10) - Banchan (Side Dishes) (10/10) Ethnic restaurants are hard to review or to take advice from. After reading a few reviews, some of the things people order and expect from this place are kinda weird. Perhaps to a non-Korean who's been to their fair share of Korean BBQ places, there are certain expectations for every DIY Korean BBQ that Cho Sun Ok doesn't meet, but that's like expecting great steak at a seafood restaurant. Natives have a completely different tongue and set of requirements when it comes to their own food than foreigners. Ever have a hamburger in Korea? They think it's all the rave, meanwhile, I thought it was terrible! So, with that in mind, I'm reviewing this as a Korean.. With a decent amount of traveling on my belt, I want to say that Chicago has some of the worst Korean food on the planet, contrasted by LA that has some of the best Korean food on the planet (better than Korea)! I've been to a ton of Korean places in Chicago (obviously), but nothing compares to LA except for 2 places, but 1 of those closed down, and the other is Cho Sun Ok. Despite what you may have read elsewhere, you need to order Chadolbaegi and go home. Don't bother with anything else. There's a minimum order of 2. Oh, and come here in groups of like 3+ (not too big because the place is tiny), never alone, there's no point. Chadolbaegi is basically very thinly sliced beef brisket. It's got a lot of fat around the edges of the meat. Once you order, they'll bring a portable Butane burner and a stone pan with some sesame oil drizzled on, and start to heat it. Along the way, they'll bring you some banchan (side dishes) and I am very very satisfied with all that they bring out. Not only is a a decent amount, but it's very good! The Korean potato salad is awesome and the kkakdoogi and kimchi are pretty good too. The sliced moo (radish) is excellent! Anyway, the chadol comes out and they put a bunch on the pan and start it. You do the rest of the cooking. Chadol is very thin, so it cooks very fast. Almost as soon as it's on the pan, you can see it browning, so you flip it for a few seconds, and then take it and eat it. You dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper mix too. Personally, I just love getting several pieces of meat, lightly dip in the sesame oil mix, and then piling some kimchi, moo, and just taking that in 1 mouthful. I'm the type of Korean who eats very minimal or no rice with Korean BBQ. You have to specifically ask for rice if you want it. Usually, after the meat, I'm already pretty full. But when your meat is about gone, they'll pour a bunch of rice on the pan and all of your left over banchan on top of it. After a while, they'll come back to mix it. Leave it heated for a while, and then they'll come back to scoop it in a bowl for you. This ultimate ending is just amazing. This is why having good banchan is so important for Cho Sun Ok, because of this finale. Because it's a stone pan, even when the flame's off, it's still cooking the rice so you get that nooroonji that's oh so delicious and crunchy + tasty with all the extras on it! Couple things: - Place is TINY! You go for dinner and there's a line, and if there's a line, you will wait a while! - Service - you know how in movies, you'll hear people scream for their waiter? That's how Koreans do it (except in Korean). If you don't, you'll get overlooked. - Smell - You will smell like Cho Sun Ok afterwards. Typical Korean BBQ. - Attire - Stretchy pants! MAN I'm hungry for this now! I realized I just explained how to eat at Cho Sun Ok without really reviewing it. Maybe I'll add an update later.
(5)Tera D.
This was...interesting. We went with a group of 4 on a Thursday and luckily we didn't have to wait at all around 6pm, although it was hopping within the hour. We were all first timers, which may have been our mistake. There's definitely VERY little explanation or customer service, so I mostly had to go off what I read on Yelp. For beef we went with the ChaDol-Gui (unmarinated) and the BulGoGi (marinated). The marinated one was WAY tastier, but from what I understood you had to get the unmarinated one to qualify for the fried rice that they make you at the end. We also ordered the Jap Chae and an octopus dish. The octopus was very chewy and not my favorite. I really liked the flavor of the Jap Chae, but I should mention that Korean "vermicelli" noodles are NOTHING like the Italian or Spanish kind, so just be aware. When it came time for the tabletop cooking we were totally confused. No one explained if this type of meat is meant to be cooked rare, or crispy, or whatnot, so we just felt like we were winging it. We also had no clue what to do with the 10+ little dishes of mystery items they brought out, which felt like a waste. All in all, I don't know that I'd go back unless I was going with a Korean person who knows what they're doing!
(3)Hoang M.
The food was great! We ordered a bulgogi combo for two and it came with an assortment of kimchi. Wished we could have had more baechu, because it was the best kimchi. Fried dumplings were delicious :). I also ordered kimchi soup for appetizer but I didn't like it so much. Service was okay. I mean they can't speak English very well, but they seemed to be very attentive, except when we wanted to pay for our meal. It took them forever to bring the bill the table, but I guess it's because the restaurant was so full. If you want to read more about the restaurant and see how the food looks like, you can go to my blog: vietnamesefoodie.blogspo…
(4)Char Y.
always yummy on a cold day! we always come back for the appetizers and soup in the freezing cold. service is always ok, i think the ladies who work there are just tired.
(4)Nam D.
long line but definitely worth the wait for authentic Korean cuisine.
(4)Connor P.
Food was adequate, service was terrible. If you weren't Korean, you didn't get treated right. Our waitress literally said 2 words to us, and it took her forever just to get us our beverages. I WOULD NOT go back. You're better off trying another Korean restaurant. 1 out 5 stars is a generous rating.
(1)Dan N.
I've been here twice. People have pointed out that the service was poor. My impression is that the waitresses (they're all female as far as I've seen) are really unhappy. In fact, they seemed unhappy and almost scared in a such a way that it gave me the creeps. If that's not reason enough to stay away, the meat seemed to be poor quality as well. Nothing about this place justifies the long lines I see most days when I walk by. If you want good Korean food, go to Joong Boo Market (Belmont and Kedzie) and eat at the cafe in the back. High quality, and authentic Korean food. I won't be back to Cho Sun Ok, ever.
(1)Mina I.
Wowza. If you have not set foot in Cho Sun Ok Korean Restaurant, you have been missing out big, and I mean BIG. This is a late review but I came here for the first time over Labor Day weekend when my parents were in town visiting me since I had just moved to Chicago for a new job. My dad insisted on only eating Korean food while he was in Chicago so I checked yelp and found this place. The best part is that Cho Sun Ok is only 1 mile away from m For being a full blooded Korean myself, this place is off the chain! For a Friday night, this place was quite busy but we got a table right away and our waiter came by with our drinks as soon as we sat down. I loved that since in the Korean culture, it is all about hospitality. Then, our waiter brought out many banchan. Banchan are small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in the Korean cuisine. The great thing about Korean restaurants are that banchans are always FREE! Yes, free! Banchans are mostly consisted of: - bap (cooked rice) - guk (soup) - gochujang (spicy red chili paste) - jjigae - kimchi (Kimchi is fermented vegetables, usually baechu (Napa cabbage), seasoned with chili peppers and salt. This is the essential banchan of a standard Korean meal. Some Koreans do not consider a meal complete without kimchi) Other banchan that were served were the following: - kongnamul (which are old boiled bean sprouts with sesame oil) - sigeumchi namul (lightly parboiled spinach dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce) - miyeok muchim (a seaweed with sweet vinegar and salt) - musaengchae (long julienned white radish in a sweet vinegar sauce, sometimes with ground dried chili peppers) - gosari namul (prepared fern shoots that have been stir-fried) - gogumasun namul (boiled/seasoned sweet potato shoots) - gaji namul (boiled eggplant) - and lastly, doraji namul (which are boiled bellflower roots) And yes, I repeat, these are all free! Then we ordered the chicken and beef galbi for our main entrees. To be honest, I am very picky with galbi and in case you do not know what galbi is, let me school you. It is made with marinated beef (or pork) short ribs in a ganjang-based sauce (Korean soy sauce). In the Korean language, galbi literally means "rib" and can often indicate uncooked ribs. In this case, our galbi was perfectly marinated and tasted exactly how my grandmother and mom makes back in the motherland. Get your butt here for some authentic Korean food!
(4)Joyce H.
Korean BBQ win. Good Korean BBQ in the city! I've been here twice; first time was a pretty diverse group of people including some fluent Korean speakers who did their magic (excellent experience), and then second time with brother and boyfriend (Chinese & Taiwanese). I'll give my review based on the most recent account. We rolled in at 5:30pm on a Fri night before the dinner rush. 15 min later and we would have been stuck waiting for a longgg time. Inside was warm and bustling with the delicious delicious smoky smell of meat. We were seated almost right away and got our banchan (yum). Tried to ask for the spicy banchan and got a plate of spicy kimchi (diff from the kimchi that came with everything else.) Brother ordered some yukejang and liked it. We ordered the cha dol bae gi and another unmarinated beef cut that was thicker (forgot the name... excuse my noobiness). Delish with the garlic and onion. Auughghghh.. so good. We did expect to be "pushed around" by the waitresses (as others have mentioned), and we were totally expecting them to come over and show us how the bbq is done. Actually, I think we felt relief when they came over and silently scolded us for not doing it correctly. Haha. They care about us, yay! We actually had 3 or 4 waitresses coming over to help us. Some would walk by and push the meat around for us or turn down the heat. They were all very efficient and busy! The best part... the kimchi fried rice at the end with the drippings of the meat all mixed into the crispy deliciousness. That stuff is gold. It definitely filled us up good. The kimchi fried rice at the end is exactly what I think about when I think of cho sun ok!
(4)Phil S.
This is one of the few Korean restaurants left in Chicago that actually still makes decent Korean food. Their meat quality is top notch. Unfortunately this restaurant is in an area that has become overrun with hipster yuppies in the past decade or so. It is a very small restaurant and simply cannot handle the volume of non-Korean patrons that have extended 1 hour plus lines out the door or crowded around your table. Korean BBQ and Korean food in general seems to have become fashionable lately and trying to get a table while rude people loiter at their table long after their meal is finished has ruined the experience for me at one of my favorite restaurants. I am glad that they are doing so well now but it makes me sad that it is so hard to eat here now. If there is one thing that I could convey to the non-Korean patrons of this establishment is to please be courteous of others who are waiting to be seated when you come to this tiny restaurant with your large groups by not loitering at your table. We can all enjoy this place if common courtesy is observed. Oh yeah, it's BYOB now. They used to sell liquor without a license for ages but with the gain in popularity came the scrutiny of the city. So if you're wondering why they don't carry soju or beer anymore it's because they can't.
(5)Bryant K.
Food is amazing as always. Service was good considering that the restaurant was packed. It's one thing if the restaurant is dead and service is bad but you can tell that the waitresses never get any down time.
(5)Samantha G.
I have been going to this restaurant ever since I was three years old and one of the only places I remember my father ever taking me to. I am so sad that I have to write this review over and knock it's rating down to 1 star from 5. I went to Cho Sun Ok a few weeks ago and I was so disgusted by the service my best friend and I received. It was a Monday night and the place was bustling as usual. We started off with the spicy beef soup. The server never came back around so we could order our Bulgogi. We had to flag down the owner's wife to finally order after an hour! We finally ordered Bulgogi as we normally cook on our table, however the server decided we didn't need to cook, so she just brought out a plate of Bulgogi for one!!! I was extremely pissed off by this point. Through it all I did not complain or make a scene, although I thought about flipping the table (like Theresa did from The Real Housewives of NJ)! Then the owner's wife rudely shoved a chair into me, which she had taken from another table to make room. The entire disaster lasted almost 3 hours without an apology or attempt to make things right. I could not believe how rude they were to my friend and I! I have seen and heard things about them being rude and racist, but did not want to believe it until now. My friend is Puerto Rican and I get mistaken for it all the time. These people should be ashamed of themselves! When I came in with my Korean detective friend, they were oh so nice and even gave us things that I did not even know were available there! Now, that is suspect! I honestly wanted to cry because I felt as though I lost a family member. I will never return to Cho Sun Ok...even if they were the last Korean restaurant on earth! THEY JUST LOST A VERY LOYAL & LIFELONG CUSTOMER!
(1)David L.
There's a reason there's a line always out the door at this place. The chadolbaeki meat that is their bread and butter is excellent and also their seafood pancakes. My sister in law, who is a native Korean, fashion designer now living in NYC, moved to the states about 5 yrs ago. She said, " this is possibly the best Korean food I've had since being here." That's probably all the endorsement I need to give
(5)Kristina B.
Very very bad service. Didn't even get to try the food because we sat at our table for 20 minutes without being served. The waitress threw our menus at us, literally with chop sticks and then never came back. We did see her occasionally serving other tables that were seated after us. Could not get over how rude they were. We were really excited to try this restaurant and went for a special occasion. Our night was ruined by the bad service and rudeness
(1)Janna Z.
You may wait a bit to get seated. You may get scolded for not doing everything correctly. You may not get a new spoon if you drop yours on the floor. But you will love it.
(5)Elisabeth E.
This Korean restaurant is AMAZING. It's so delicious! We have been searching for a good Korean food place since we moved here and that is the one area in which we have been dissapointed...until tonight... I read the reviews below and thank you for the tip that you have to wait in line...we had wait at 7:45PM on a week night...but it wasn't too long and it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!! The pajeon (veggie) was perfect. Their bulgogi is delicious and we had the kimchi chigae was delicious...I usually can't eat it because it's too hot and spicy but this was perfect. Spicy but not so bad that I couldn't handle it. All around this was an amazing meal. Highly recommend!!
(5)Jennifer G.
Service not very good. Dirty and dark- Not a pleasant atmosphere. Food was kind of cheap, tasteless and weird menu- limited, unspecific, confusing, NOT vegetarian friendly!
(1)Cherie R.
My parents and I started coming here way before it got popular - I can't even remember when! The specialty here is the chadolbaegi - super thin slices of beef brisket grilled on a super hot stone grill. You dip the pieces of beef in a mixture of sesame oil, salt, and pepper, and eat with the green onion salad. Heaven in a bite. :-) The banchan are good, the mul-kimchi fantastic, and the fried rice at the end they cook on your stone grill with all your leftover banchan is the BEST.
(5)Ericka A.
The food is great! The service leaves something to be desired. I've heard Korean restaurants can be notorious for leaving you hanging, but this was just ridiculous. I called to reserve a table and was told they don't allow it, so we showed up early and got in line. They don't take your name either. You literally just wait your turn. There isn't much standing room and the line went out the door. It's fine during the summer. I wouldn't want to attempt this in the winter. We were seated and ordered the Bulgogi, Seafood Pancakes and a soup. Everything was absolutely delicious. We couldn't have asked for much better. I don't think the ladies trusted us to cook it ourselves. They did it for us and not others. We're done with our meal and we have to wait for our waitress to come back. About 10 minutes pass and she is nowhere to be found. We ask another waitress for a box and the check. We wait. We ask a third waitress for a box and our bill. Nothing comes. Our waitress returns and... Nothing. I think we asked 3 or 4 different women for boxes and a soup container multiple times. We get our doggy bags in order and now we're waiting for them to finish running our payments. We spent 30 minutes waiting for a table, 30 minutes on our meal and a mind-boggling 45 minutes trying to wrap up our leftovers and pay. I highly recommend the food, but only if you have nowhere else to be in a timely manner. Thank goodness they are BYOB. I need alcohol to deal with this kind of annoyance.
(2)Jon H.
After living in the neighborhood for 18 years we finally ventured in with a party of 8 for dinner on a Tuesday night. We arrived around 6:45 and got the last table before a line formed at the door. As other reviewers have commented the service is brisk and it pays to know what you want the first time the waitress comes around because if you hesitate you'll be left waiting. The good news is that the menu is very focused so ordering is easy. We ordered four entrees (1 un-marinated beef, 2 bulgogi, 1octopus) and the seafood pancake as a starter and had plenty of food plus fried rice to take home. Everything we had was great and the side dishes were numerous and flavorful. For the un-marinated beef the drill seems to be to put some of the garlic in the pan and then add the meat and cook as you like then eat it with the side dishes. The communal cooking was fun but the table does get warm from the burner and stone pan. After you are finished with the entrees the server makes fried rice in the pan and it is the best I've ever had with leftover bits of meat, vegetables and octopus plus some of the side dishes added. I'll be eating it for lunch today! The place is intimate and the decor is kind of mid-sixties Asian with large blocks of pink salt scattered around the place and ventilation hoods over each table. Our bill for 8 people was $120.
(4)Joe L.
Was in Chicago on a business trip and met up with my sister for dinner. I usually get pizza while visiting Chicago because who in their right mind wouldn't, but this time I wanted something different and was craving my recent obsession, Korean BBQ. Cho Sun was much different than what I'm used to in CA. First, it is not all you can eat and they have you cook the meat in a pan rather than on a grill. They didn't really have much of the ban chan that I liked, but eh, all Korean BBQ places vary on that, so that's whatever. The place was extremely packed and their waitresses were pretty unfriendly. The meat seemed to be pretty good quality and tasted good. It was on the high end of what KBBQ usually is at $25, especially for it not being AYCE. All in all, it was decent.
(3)Maurice H.
I work in a town that for many years until recently had a kim chee factory and a Korean supermarket - in New Jersey. I would buy my gallon of kim chee from the dimunuitive lady who made it, and has been doing so for many years. "I am a kim chee life" she states. I was lucky to have tasted many types, but enough about me. This restaurant is typical of the very plain, crowded (20 minute wait on Saturday night at 9 PM) somewhat noisy BYOB with a solid following only because of the good food. You walk through the kitchen to get to the rest room which was clean and tiny. The trick at many Korean restaurants is to get the servers to smile, and maybe laugh in order to break the typical sterotype of Korean restaurants. Once you do, if you do or even try, it changes your experience. The variety of little dishes that come with the meal are fun, just to figure out what they are. Bulgogi was cooked at our table on a portable gas grill that was well used and needed a bath. The food was great and with many Asian diners, the vibe is really authentic (Korean channel on TV). Excellent food, typical atmosphere and reasonable prices. Like it.
(4)Nick L.
Been here a couple of times and I have to say that the BBQ here is pretty darn good. However, I found it funny (perhaps they were trying to be helpful except for the disdainful looks) that they would grab the tongs from my hands and start cooking for us. At first, I thought this was stellar service, going above and beyond, but it's not. If you cook just some of the meat, they will come over and plop the whole lot in to speed up the process. It's pretty small inside and does get packed and busy so I can understand the thought process but it's just not cool.
(3)May L.
If you're looking for great customer service and food, at least you'll be getting one of the two here. Service could be better, but then again you get that a lot at most AUTHENTIC Asian restaurant. The servers don't speak English so if you're going to attempt Korean food/BBQ for the first time you should definitely go with someone who knows a little bit about the menu. We came here right when they opened to avoid the crowd and the long wait. We ordered Bulgolgi (marinated beef), Galbi (marinated short ribs), Bibim Bap and the Korean seafood pancake. We weren't cooking fast enough so the waitress came over and dumped our meat right onto the stone pot, cooking it that way made the meat kind of stew in its juice but it still came out tasty. The Bibim Bap was bland but good for anyone watching their waist bands since its full of veggies. The pancake was pretty good, not greasy and filled with green onions and octopus tentacles sticking out, yum! My favorite had to to be the Galbi, they cooked it on their own grill and brought it to us. It was tender and full of flavor, I found myself licking the bones clean! Overall great deal especially for the price, just make sure you come here either early or on a weekday and without any expectations of great customer service and you're good to go!
(4)Jung K.
Heard so much good things about this place and I finally got a chance to go. All the reviews and hype held true. The place is not as big as other korean restaurants but the food trumps everything else. I ordered Cha-Dol begi and seafood pancake. All meats are in 2 serving increments. Ordered 4 serving for 3 people. Quality of meat was amazing. Hands down best Cha-dol in chicago area. Flavor and the large portions make it worth every dollar. The side dishes are pretty high quality and very tasty. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! At the end of your meal, they bring out rice and fry it in the same pan the meat was cooked in. They add all the side dishes and make a very tasty fried rice. My only dissatisfaction was the responsiveness of the service. Had to ask for water about 3 times before actually getting someone to grab the pitch of water. You have to know what you're ordering. They don't mess around with 'oh whats good here' or 'what do you recommend.' I cant imagine what the service would be like if I wasn't korean and didnt know a lick of korean struggling to figure out what to get. Trust me, just get the Cha-dol, you wont regret it. Get in, order the food, eat and enjoy, and everyone is happy. Overall, price and food was great. and I don't think a little lack of attentiveness from the servers is worth docking one star.
(5)Chrissie C.
They have really good korean food. I love their korean bbq cause they would mix every leftover make a fried rice out of it at the end. However, service definitely need improvement. Seems like they are only nice toward their own kind.
(4)Jennifer M.
I have to agree with Kevin W. I don't mind the line so much as I'm very upset with their service. It's become too much like Kuma's Corner. A gathering place but not a restaurant to stay and loiter. There is a reason this place is now BYOB. You're meant to eat and leave the libations for a bar down the street! I come for their share portion, Bul-Go-Gi. For $25, you get a bunch of tapas appetizers, bowls of rice and a large plate of raw meat to cook yourself. What you don't finish, they'll come by and turn it into a Fried Rice dish to carry out. That is my favorite part of the meal. The place is small, cramped and HOT! The Employees don't speak English very well. The overall feel of this place is that you've crossed the Pacific Ocean. Prepare to wait but stay... it's well worth the experiene of good Korean food.
(5)Mandoos G.
this place was a blast. It was our first time doing Korean bbq so I was a bit intimidated as to what to do. Don't worry, you have about an hour of standing cramped together in line next to the diners so you can study how it all works. That would be the only reason this place doesnt get a 5 star rating. I feel it can't be that hard to just start accepting reservations or maybe give people a number when they walk in. Something to make it more civil. Aside from that, the food was fantastic. Just great. You get a bonkers amt of food for the price. It's overall just a good time. The servers don't really fool around though. I suggest going having a good idea on what you already want and try not to ask too many questions.
(4)Stella S.
DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS HERE!!! We were visiting Chicago from houston and came here based on reading a review in the chicagoist. We have been to Korean bbq before and everyone was looking forward to it. The line was out the door, so we knew it was going to be good. After waiting at least an hour an a half, we were seated in the corner. We were all hungry and excited, especially my meat eating 7 year old. Everyone was happy, especially her and she was doing what she does when she was happy. She was whistling. She can't whistle very well so it is kind of quiet and in the din of the noisy resturant no one noticed. But the old man owner did, and got after her (spoke in a rude, firm voice) twice about it. We were very apologetic and she was mortified, because she never gets in trouble. Meanwhile the table next to us is having a good time, but being loud and dropping f bombs. That was ok, apparently, but a kid whistling was not. I wished we had left. But it was cold, and we had waited for so long and everyone in our group was hungry. And guess what? The food was just ok.
(2)Christine K.
Service sucked but I was warned before I went. There is nothing special about the food here and really doesn't compare to any mediocre restaurant found in other cities.
(3)Partha A.
Have nothing to compare Korean food against. Got the beef bulgogi - tabletop cooking of marinated beef. the table was filled with small plates of kimchi n vegetables n pickles. that could fill you up by itself. the beef was awesome - sweet n tangy. although they forgot to serve us the complimentary pancakes. also got the cold buckwheet noodles...it was sweet n spicy. the dumplings are not worth having. these two dishes by themselves make up food for four although it was just two of us. they do refill the small banchan plates. service was dicy...but taking off one star is enough. BTW - gets very busy. we had to wait for 30 mins for a table for two.
(4)Raymond S.
I have no idea what I ordered. I have no idea where I was. I have no idea what was paid. I have no idea what was said. I have no idea what animal I ate. All I know is it was pretty damn good. Don't ask me for suggestions. All I can offer is order the pickled stuff, with the flat things dipped in brown stuff, and order the red sauce covered sliced meat. And kimchi
(4)Anita B.
Apparently if you are Korean, you get waited on otherwise you are SOL. We were ignored, treated poorly and didn't even get our fried rice ending. Like many other reviews, the food was just ok, nothing to write home about, We were rushed through and basically made to feel uncomfortable. I don't care how good the food it, will never go back. There are plenty of other places that will be happy to take my money. Also, it wouldn't hurt the owner to clean the place up a bit, the hoods over the tables are hanging with dust.
(1)Susan S.
Good food but small place. Pace too quick
(4)Doug F.
Been there about 10 times now. Each time the food was excellent. Prices cheap. Leave Happy. Already taken all my friends and family. I recommend: Daegu Maeun Tang (Spicy Cod Fish Soup) The Bul-Go-Gi (Marinated Beef) Doeji Gui (not so Spicy Pork) Yukagae Jang (Spicy Beef Soup) Goh-Deung-Eo Gui (Salt Grilled Mackerel (surprisingly moist)) Jab Chae (Pan stir fried vermicelli noodles with shredded beef and vegetables) Skip the goya/pot stickers (bad, store bought?) Service is ok. The servers are not exactly "smiley" but efficient. However, on three visits they forgot my Coke. Decor is eh too. But the Food and Prices more than make up for lack of Ambiance. Most of my friends who have gone here rank it in the top three best Korean Restaurants in Chicago and add in the low prices it becomes my "Goto Korean Joint."
(4)Alan K.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant is located on the corner of Berteau and Lincoln. Initially, I thought at first that I had to pay for street parking when in fact, street parking is free....a rarity in Chicago. Too bad I parked far down the street. The restaurant is a small establishment. There are only several tables, some of them have grills built into them and some of them use the portable grills. I ordered food that did not require the grills. I ordered a Soon Dou Boon which is Tofu Soup essentially. It either comes in two selections at this place, either beef or seafood. This place did not give me the option to select the spiciness. One thing to note, I think next time I come here, I would do it at off hours because those Korean ladies were just running around the restaurant like crazy. I left bad for them. When my beef tofu soup came, it was accompanied by a good assortment of ban chan (side dishes). The soup was somewhat spicy, just the way I like it although I wish I had more water to wash it down with. It was difficult to get a waitress to fill my water cup because they were extremely busy. I really enjoyed eating here. Another note, I sat adjacent to the door which was not very good because when someone opened the door, it directed a cold draft to my back. I will definitely suggest to them that I would prefer to sit towards the back of the small restaurant if possible.
(4)Kenneth Y.
This reminds me of the good ole times when I lived in SoCal. It is a great representation of what Korean food is all about.
(4)Tim H.
Good service, seafood pancake and fried rice made with the leftover meat, side dishes, and kimchi are the highlight. They cook the meat for you at your table so no need to start cooking it yourself. I found the meat a bit dry though.
(4)Laura C.
Korean food like home. Wait staff is so nice. I have come here many different times and the staff always treats me the same. It is a far drive from the burbs and sometimes there is a long wait, but it's worth it!
(5)Michael S.
Oh my... second review in a few days that I need to update after mentioning it to another yelper! So service... well it was seriously lacking when I wrote my first review, but it was totally fine the last time I went (and I didn't even have to recruit a Korean friend... I'll still go with you though, Brian K.) Service wasn't the best, but it was good the last time I went. Maybe it has to do with timing as it does get really busy. Ordered correctly this time with the Cha Dul Bae Gi... Sooo delicious and the lady gave us more banchan after she asked if we wanted more! The lady cooked our food for us and just was great for that though she wasn't friendly... It's cool though... For people who are hesitant about going because of the service or some negative reviews, take it from me who has to update his review. It's good stuff over there. Order the Cha Dul Bae Gi and you'll be fine! Also, Props to the barley tea they serve you too. It's not jasmine, but it's good.
(4)Alice M.
Story time! So I was back home in Chicago, and my mom wanted to bring me to a late lunch. As she was picking me up, I started feeling extremely sick. By the time she got to my sister's apartment where I was staying, I didn't even feel like moving. My mom thought it might just be that I hadn't eaten in awhile (with the flight and sleeping in), so she brought me to Cho Sun Ok, the closest Korean restaurant nearby, to make me feel better. We were seated at a 4-person table and we ordered dduk gook (rice cake soup) and soondubu (spicy soft tofu soup). Feeling sick, I sprawled across the two seats on my side, only occasionally getting up to have a bit of the dduk gook broth (which was good by the way!). My mom finally decided that we should just pack up the rest of the food to-go and go back. As the bill was coming, I really felt like I was about to throw up, so I headed to the bathroom. BUT one of their employees had just walked in as I was walking towards it. I hurried back to the table and told my mom I had to go outside to throw up. Though she looked worried, she asked me to wait until she handed the waitstaff our bill. With my back towards the rest of the restaurant, I couldn't hold it in anymore and I threw up into the empty bowl!!!!! Some splashed onto the bill and cash. My mom tried to dry it a bit with napkins, but it was still a bit damp as she handed it to them. Embarrassing. In any case, thank you to the restaurant for being so helpful and understanding. Also, I didn't have a ton of the food, but my mom mentioned it was good. I hear they're known for their chadolbaegi -- I'll have to try that sometime. Their prices seem very reasonable, especially since Korean can be expensive sometimes, so next time I'm in town, I'll have to give it a REAL try.
(4)Yina S.
My favorite Korean restaurant in town! Must get the thin sliced beef!!! (cha dol bak ee) They mix rice and other side dishes on grill after you are done with your meat. (Super good!), so make sure you leave some room for that!
(5)Meredith P.
YUM! This place was awesome! I went with three other girls to try this place out on Saturday night for our monthly BYO dinner. One of the best parts about going out w/ these girls is that they are always up for trying everything and anything. Our entire party arrived at 7:30 and were seated almost right away. The place is definitely bustling and if you sit too far out on your chair you might get an elbow from a waitress trying to get through...but it would still be worth it. We ordered the #5 which was a seasoned beef that was cooked right at the table. With that order we got about 12 side dishes to try. I pretty much have zero idea what any of it was but for the most part they were all pretty good! The beef was SO good- seasoned and cooked perfectly. FYI- you have to order the #3 or #6 to get the fried rice. In addition to the beef we got the seafood pancake and the fried dumplings. The seafood pancake had shrimp and I think some squid or octopus, with peppers and jalepenos. The dumplings were pretty standard but good. My friend and I were commenting that even the rice tasted better here than other places! Service was attentive enough, and because everything is already on your table you don't really need a waitress except to bring you a corkscrew. Overall- definitely go! Don't let the reviews of the long lines scare you off.
(5)Jessica V.
My review is based on one experience here, and I will start of by saying that we will be back, but our first experience could be better. My boyfriend and I came here in the middle of the week last week for a random night out. When we arrived, there was a bit of a wait, but I think we got seated in about 20 minutes. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but the tables seemed to turn over pretty quickly. As soon as we sat down the waitress asked us for our order. We had NO idea what to get, having never eaten at a Korean Restaurant before. We ened up taking a few minutes to look over the menu and opted for the Seafood pancake appetizer and the bulgogi. We had wanted the fried rice that they make at the table, but we didn't realize that you had to order specific things in order to get that, oh well, next time. The bulgogi was awesome, as was the pancake. The prices are very reasonable and the service is very quick. Our only complaint is, we really ordered blindly, and our waitress made us feel a little rushed and didn't give us any guidance as to what to order. While it was technically our fault for not looking into what to order before dining here, she could have been a little more helpful. We will definitely be back, and this time we'll know what to order.
(3)Katherine R.
I stay down the block from here, and it is a keen restaurant, busy every night, and is kiddie corner to a nice coffee shop across the street for dessert.Outside this restaurant as you are walking by brings you in attention with mysterious vegetable aromas coming from inside the kitchen. After several months my curiosity of what could be steamed broccoli or I even thought the strong outside aroma may have been cooked cabbage I didn't know, and I wanted to try something new. Korean food is new to me so this was my first time ordering such an exotic array of potent tastes and aromas from the healthiest way to eat vegetables (raw or fresh). Upon walking inside the restaurant there is cooking of fresh vegetables and meats in the middle of most tables. I ordered the spicy squid and a spicy red broth with sprouts. The sliced zucchini was very good, and over white rice made a colorful presentation of a large quantity that lasted me two days of a firey take-out meal.
(4)Jimmy S.
Don't go here for the service, because it really does suck by any conventional standards. Don't go here during peak hours if you don't want to wait in line. Definitely don't go here if you have anywhere else to go afterwards, because you will reek like burnt Korean food. But this is one of the only places I'll go in Chicago for Korean food because it is simply awesome. Get the chaedol (what everyone else is eating) and enjoy it. Right down to the amazing fried rice w kimchi, beef fat, and leftover sides. If possible, do yourself a favor and drag a Korean-speaking friend with you to handle the brutal servers.
(5)Haeri J.
I try to hit up Cho Sun Ok at least once every time I visit Chicago. Last time being mid/end of December. Just a few heads up about this place, and restaraunts like this place. 1) The waitstaff here consist of about 3-4 people on a normal night. One curly haired women is EXCEPTIONALLY nice. There is another who is the opposite. I will let you find out for yourself. ;) By the way, it doesn't matter if you're white, asian, or whatever. The rude one is sort of always rude/curt. Haha. 2) This is a Korean BBQ restaurant. Have you ever been to one before? There are two types of Korean BBQ restaraunts. One is where they give you meet and let you go at it! Second is a very frequent style in which the wait staff will cook for you in front of you. Now, on a busy night that may seem like a way to get you to eat your food and get out of there. (True it may be) But that's how these kinds of resturaunts WORK. In Korea, and ultimately the States. Yes they will grab the tongs from you if you look like you're having trouble, or if you're too busy eating they will grab the tongs from the table and cook it themselves for you! If you don't like it, just tell them "Oh could you wait to cook the meat?" politely. Just say something. Don't just sit and take it!! If it's cooked enough you push the meat to the edges, and lower the heat. That way it's there for you to eat it. Anywho to continue, besides their meats, and what not they have a plethora of other Korean dishes. It's always in good nature to end with a chilled bowl of "Neng-myun" which is chilled noodles. I personally like eating that along with my meat but if you don't tell the servers that, they will wait until the end to give it to you. This place is BYOB, so if you're of age, maybe bring a few bottles of beer or if you forgot you can just go to the Jewel about 5 minutes walk down and grab a 6 pack of something. Also, this restaurant is not very big. If you decide to come during the dinner rush, you'll find that there is a line going in and around the place. Good luck! I really like this place because if you're headstrong, patient but not rude the servers will give you what you want. And it's damn good.
(5)Stephen K.
Been here twice. Food is great. Everyone should get the bulgogi. Galbi is alright, had better. Lots of side dishes to eat. Service is alright, typical korean restaurant service. BYOB. Lots of none Koreans each time I went so no one should feel uninvited.
(4)Mayank P.
There is a wait, but it's worth it. The service is okay, but the atmosphere is fun. I've never had octopus before, so I can not compare... It was chewy, little bit bitter. The other food was good. First time at a Korean BBQ, not a bad experience.
(4)Ted C.
Cha dol bae gi is the way to go here, it's the unmarinated beef slices that you cook at your table-a little range is brought to your table with a stone pot with oil in it. Ask for some naeng-myun, cold buckwheat noodles, it goes well with the meat. I'm usually near bursting at this point but the best part is when the servers come by at the end and dump everything in plus rice. You don't want to mess with their mojo-a friend of mine thought he could do it but it turned out bad, let them do their thing, and enjoy as much of the rice as you can. I want to note on their new look. I know they remodeled a long time ago but I'm still surprised by it. They used to have stuffed game birds near the ceiling, which makes me wonder if the pheasant and other game birds are off the menu. The phone booths are now closets, which is a good use of the space, I guess-I'm kind of surprised they didn't try to turn it into a really skinny booth. It's weird to see a lot more non-Korean people here. I've been here a few times with family and it was always a little hole in the wall kind of place and I think word of mouth started to spread. I've never really had issues with their service-although I'm Korean and when I eat at Korean places I don't really put a lot of stock into table service, be advised though, the busier it gets the more you'll have to do to get the attention of someone who works there.
(4)Hans H.
Said to be the first Korean BBQ in Chicago, this place deserves the high marks that people have given it. But it also deserves the low marks too, mainly in the service and experience. The highs: The meats and dishes are excellent. Don't pass up the seafood pancake and sides like the chap jae. The meat here is so very good that you should definitely try getting some of the unmarinated meats. They'll do the table cooking for you somewhat too. The Lows: Service. Because the place is so small, they seriously rush you in and out so they can turn over as many tables as possible as fast as possible. Do not expect a friendly look if you hang around too long after finishing your meal. The moral: Come prepared to eat delicious Korean BBQ. Don't come to hang out. Don't come to be pampered. Don't come expecting a manicure and hot towels. Expect to be burned by splattering oil and smelling all smokey from the delicious things being cooked 2 feet from your plate.
(4)Karolyn S.
The best thing about the experience here was the walk through the kitchen to the bathroom. I got to see an older woman elbow deep in beef and blood. Awesome. Didn't gross me out at all; in fact, it made me love the atmosphere. Really. It did. Kind of true to culture. But that's where the fun stopped. We began our examination of the menu. While there were only two of us, I like to look at all my options, especially at a restaurant I've never been to before. My date and I were asked five times in 2 minutes if we were ready to order. We finally succumbed to the pressure and just ordered something from the table top for two. My belief is that when you go out to dinner, especially in a city where there are so many options, you should be able to relax a bit. The sour-pussed waitress came back and threw our ingredients for the table top at us. Some of the sauce actually spilled on my shirt. Soy sauce on white. Great. No apology. Just threw the beef in the pan at our table and handed us the tongs to cook. That's great. I love interacting with food, but it seemed that every other table was getting a bit of a demonstration as to what to do and how. Not us. So we winged it. We tried everything from the bitter seaweed to the pickled veggies. It was okay. Nothing great. My date was afraid to ask for a fork due to the rude behavior of the waitress, so he struggled through with chop sticks. We had leftovers partly due to the fact that we were reminded each time the waitress came back to see if we had put money down for the check that there was a line out of the door. If you want a relaxing dinner, this isn't the place. I left anxious and not at all satisfied with the food. I will never be back. There are far better Korean bbqs elsewhere in the city where they actually treat you like a human being and appreciate your business.
(1)Steve K.
Pleasantly surprised to find authentic, delicious Korean food in Chicago. My cousin and I were in town from L.A., and took our friends here after reading some great Yelp reviews (Thank you, Yelpers!!!!). We were all blown away. Ordered the combo #6 (thinly sliced brisket, cold soup, and kimchi fried rice served at the end), seafood pancake, and spicy octopus. Food was sooo good. Don't think the waitresses appreciated my cousin and I comparing everything to L.A. Korean restaurants. LOL. Think one told my cousin, "this is not how we do things in Chicago." LOL. B.Y.O.B. There's a Jewel Osco two blocks away, and Half Acre BrewCo is within walking distance.
(5)Michael G.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant. the name says it all. This place is just OK. The service was OK, the food was OK, the price was very appropriate. This would be a fun place to go to as an event with friends, but not a great place when just reviewing the food. With what you just read, you may be asking yourself why I only gave this place two stars. Here goes: Two of my favorite items on a Korean menu are black bean noodles and Korean fried chicken. While it is OK that neither of these items were on the menu, it was not OK that the owners of the restaurant had ordered these two items from an outside restaurant to eat on their lunch break at the table next to me! If the Korean food at a Korean restaurant is not good enough for the people who own the place, why should people go and eat there?
(2)Ovi H.
Oh man, wait takes a while for large parties, but the thinly sliced beef brisket (Chadolbagi/Chadol baki/Cha Dol Bae Gi) was incredible. BYOB it from Bottles & Cans a block south and you're golden!
(5)Chi L.
We came here on a Friday night and we waited for over an hour for a table. I went to the bathroom twice during that time, and you have walk through the kitchen with the workers slicing away. I asked one guy working there how long he thought it would take and he just I don't know. It didn't seem like there were very worried about pleasing customers. When it was finally out turn for a table it was pretty exciting but the seating is kind of cramped. We sat next to the register and there wasn't much space for the staff to walk by even, so it was hard to relax there. And as others have mentioned, service is kind of lacking. The food overall was pretty good, but we were so hungry that we over ordered and over ate.
(3)Michelle K.
I used to love this place. Came here since 2002, back when I was young enough to get chocolate bars from the owner of the restaurant. When it comes to Korean food, I believe it's the best in the Midwest. But the past six months have been a nightmare. The last four times I visited with my family, I ended up leaving with a scowl on my face and regret for bringing them to a place that shows such little respect to their customers, especially the elderly. Ask for water before the meal? Don't expect to get it until after you pay the bill. Same goes for spoons, side dishes and bowls of rice. The only time they pay attention is when you ask for the check. Maybe our server was having a bad day. But all four times? I've waitressed at several Korean restaurants, so I know the workload is a little heavier than at other types of establishments, such as Japanese restaurants (which I've done as well). However, no matter how bad it got, I never acted out on customers. If you want good Korean food, but poor service and a long wait, this is the place.
(1)Lu Y.
LOVE this place for their authentic, cheap and quick Korean food! We had to wait for over an hour at 5:30 pm on a Saturday night, showing this place is really awesome. Note: the line is deceptively short. Ambience: Loud, BYOB, busy, great ambience for getting together with friends =) Service: Very quick and efficient. Despite how busy they look, they make the time to come over and cook the meat in your stone pot! Food: OMG amazing. Some of the best Korean food I've had in Chicago. Definitely order something for the stone pot - their specialty sauce is out of this world. Also, I'd suggest ordering the seafood pancake and bibimbap (which is not served in a stone bowl). Lovely kimchi. And at all costs, avoid their pan fried dumplings.
(4)Cannie W.
I have tried multiple Korean restaurants around the Chicago area and this one has really good food. The sides are good, the meat is tender and juicy and the seafood pancake was the one of the best I have ever had. We were lucky and came around 4:30 for a party of 4. There was no line at all and we got seated immediately. The waitresses were super fast and got us all of our food super fast. They weren't really friendly though because they have such a high volume and so much to do. They were going to cook us the fried rice at some point but we weren't eating fast enough so they chose not to. Just don't come expecting good service....now that I think about it, I wonder if good Korean restaurants in Korea are like this?
(3)M A.
Little run down,food authentic as can be.Tables in middle have cooking stove for preraration of dinner.Bul goki to die the sauce the sauce.Big portion of appetizers dumplings almost dinner .Tried the beef dumpling soup awesome. Feel stuffed.
(5)G L.
Believe me, I am a native Korean and the food here is not just great, it's authentic. I was really surprised when I first tasted its Korean Miso, soybean paste, one of the basic ingredient of Korean food. It is house-made, kept authentic flavor. I think the taste could be even better than some majority korean restaurants in Korea. The long waits (almost an hour!, sometimes more than an hour), loud and small spaces, and unpleasant service (maybe, more focus on just serving and cleaning) was definitely minus. However, the food itself compensates every inconvenience of this restaurants, we may had complaints while we were waiting and eating for those stuffs, but every visits were satisfied with its taste. If you want to experience the real korean food, this is a great place to try. However, you may need to be more progressive and be accustomed to korean way of restaurant serving. This may be painful, but the taste will compensate all and even you might be able to enjoy those as a culture experience.
(5)Kathy S.
I've been here a few times since my last review and although I'm still underwhelmed by the chadol, their kitchen food is delicious! My favorites are: Kimchi samgyupsal - have to get this everytime Bibim nangmyun - my favorite place for bibim Soondubu - pretty good for a place that doesn't specialize in soondubu.
(4)Jessie G.
! I haven't tasted food but I won't come here again causing their service and environment! If you want to have a good dinner with Korean food, there are so many choices in Korean Town.Maybe their food is delicious but the service really sucks!
(1)Wayne H.
My girlfriend and I come here quite often. It is definitely a long wait during its busier times and getting a water refill or your check at the end of the night is like digging for gold. Despite the notoriously bad service, the food is worth it. They have the best Doenjang Jjigae (spicy tofu soup) in the city. They also give you a great amount of fresh pan chan (small dishes with your rice). The Kimchi Samgyeopsal (pan stir fried pork with kimchi) is another one of my favorite dishes here. Not only is the food great, but you also can't beat the price. This is a great option for a delicious, cheap meal, when dining out. But be warned, if you don't have the patience for the bad service it will ruin your night.
(4)K K.
In a word...delicious! The banchan were plentiful and tasty. The spice marinated pork was off the charts. The self-cook beef could be improved but I take ownership of that one. I loved the rice. Definitely coming back...
(5)Lex B.
I've lived in Chicago for seven years now, and been to Cho Sun Ok way more than I would like to admit. I've had my share of good and bad experiences there. I speak Korean, so I think it's alittle easier for me but DON'T GO FOR NICE SERVICE. I wanted to write about my last time I was there because it was such terrible service. We got the Korean pancake and it was soggy. We got the yeuk ge jang and that was okay. But the worst part is the meat. We wanted to get the K-BBQ experience and cook it at our table. We also ordered the meat where they make your kimchee rice at the end, but could not find anyone to come make rice for us. I finally was able to find someone who came over (with a lot of attitude), and they threw the ingredients in and walked off without actually giving us rice. So the kimchee juices were non-existent (and extremely burnt) by the time they came back with the rice. Our rice tasted extremely burnt. And then we couldn't flag down anyone to turn off the fire (we were sitting at one with the burner attached to the table), so we were sweating. We finally just had to figure it out ourselves because there were no waitresses in sight. Also, as a feminist, it sucks to watch the man sitting while watching Korean shows and barking out orders while the women run around like crazy. I grew up in a Korean household, so I get it...but it just doesn't seem right, especially since they are usually extremely under staffed. I took some friends who had been wanting to try out Cho Sun Ok for a long time, and I was straight up embarrased that I took them. I don't think I will ever be able to go back again. In other news, if you do want some good Korean food with nice service, check out Ban Po Chung!!
(1)Fumie K.
Don't even look at the menu and order the 'chadolbaegi' (beef brisket). This is what they are known for! ...and I must say--hands down the best in Chicago. 2 servings of meat is perfect for two people as it comes with a lot of side dishes. The server will also make you fried rice at the end, which is always my favorite part of the meal. DELICIOUS!
(5)Jennie C.
Typical hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant with authentic food. Both the kimchi pork and japchae were excellent. Generous spread of banchans as well. This has always been one of my faves for Korean bbq in the city.
(4)Holly C.
Stars are for the food only - get the Cha Dol Gui, no questions asked. I'm sure other items are good, but this is my favorite. At the end, you'll get a kimchi fried rice type made in front of you. There are a good amount of side dishes, and the place isn't as smoky as regular KBBQ places because they use stone pot over a stove top instead of traditional open type grill. Of course they are friendlier towards Koreans, that's just how the culture is I guess. I did notice a lot of non Asian patrons, so I think everyone has accepted this fact and just go there because the food is amazing and cheap KBBQ. If you're ok with unfriendly service and great Korean food, this is the place to go. There are however a lot of options in the area for Korean food though. Chicago is pretty well known for it.
(5)Phillip L.
First off, this review is biased. I been thru this place since before my nuts dropped. And it still looks and feels the same. Food and the owners are still there. Old dude with the Hawaiian shirt and that tiny ass figaro chain watching TV while sippin on Crown. That wash station u gotta jump thru to get to the toilet. The busted ass parking lot u gotta fight for out back on Sundays. What's different is there's white folks dining here now. On they own accord. Back then when we saw white folks there, they were with some Koreans and the gossip on the table was they probably someone they owe money too or they doing business. But now, esp with the golden age of Korean food on the American food stage, they there to try out some new shit! Big ups yourselves white folks! I imagine they experience here is akin to how our immigrant parents was intimidated and intrigued by the food when they first landed in the states way back when. So I guess it's nice to see a full circle come around where the act of assimilation, at least with food, has now shifted. Cha Dol is all I do there now. And rolling with 4 empty stomachs is required to really enjoy this meal.
(5)Brian P.
I quite enjoy this place. The fact that it is SO busy is a testament to what you get here--honest food with good quality. I had yukgaejang soup and it was quite delicious. --the beef shreds were clearly of high quality (I suppose because all the beef coming through this restaurant is quite high quality) and tasty. There was a good amount of it, too, so it was beyond just "flavoring" the soup. In addition, it wasn't overly or underly spicy--just right. The main attraction is to do BBQ here. I recommend the #6 beef because the thicker slices are just much jucier and toothsome--I personally like the texture of that beef. For sure, use the sauces and spring onions that come with. I have not tried the other items at the back of the menu and so I can't comment on it, but from spying at other tables, there were some authentic treats there too. fun!
(4)Juan C.
When there on a Tuesday night around 9pm. There wasn't a wait. Awesome place. Good food. The Korean pancake was good. Only thing the servers where very unwelcoming. Sort of rushed to get us in and out. Overall great place. We will be back.
(4)Robb H.
Solid. I've had better in L.A., but not in Chicago (equal here, but not better).
(4)Suri L.
Love their BBQ and Soup!
(5)Hannah H.
This is one of the better Korean BBQ places that you can go to - the place can get pretty jam-packed and there is usually a wait. We usually get the chandolbaegi, as that is the quickest one to cook (thinly sliced beef); their banchans are pretty decent, and the older guy who's the owner who walks around in his doctor's coat is pretty funny. The leftover banchans and the rice goes into the grill to make a spicy crispy rice dish to pig out some more. +crispy rice at the end with leftover banchans
(3)Papa M.
Like most Korean restaurants in Chi-town, horrible service. The servers seemed very tired. No smiles. They rarely made eye contact. I think they didn't to avoid having to provide customer requests. Had to ask 3 different servers to finally get some water refilled. Had to ask several times to get some rice. Our table still had about a 1/3 of the beef left on the plate to cook, but the server brought the sauces and ingredients to cook the spicy fried rice.
(2)Mark H.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it!" An old yellow exterior signage hangs over the entrance door. As you enter you can't help but to notice the 1970s wood panel surrounds which covers the interior walls. I can see a natural trepidation for initial foodies, based on these simple observations, to consider this restaurant. With that said, however, where the owner failed in upkeep, he has done one thing right...they serve the freshest meat or "chadol" and the tastiest side dishes. The customary fried rice ending is a nice topper to a great meal. You leave on a full stomach and wonder how they stay open at those ridiculously low prices. Expect a minimum hour long wait though on weekends. This is a constant and no exaggeration. The byob helps the wait time go by quicker. The staff always appear shorthanded so you need to get aggressive in requesting your needs. This attitude will not be offensively received but just a way to keep your food and drink coming throughout the course of the meal. If you've never tried Korean BBQ this is a great starter place to check out.
(5)Alessandra F.
Terrible experience. The place was hot as hell, we had to rush through dinner, waitresses bumping into me throughout dinner, they refused to replenish the meager side dishes, and the food was just standard. There are so many better korean places in the suburbs such as Shabu House and Amitabul.
(1)Katherine Y.
Bad service!!! We first time come here and there so busy, it's fine, we wait then when we sit down, the lady just throw us the Manu and no one take care us, when we order the beef to bbq, no one service us, no any side dish if we didn't ask, I was wait for the final rice when we finish the beef ,because my friend told me that taste so good and that's why I wanna try to eat here, but no one come here , we trying to ask the lady, when she come she just take the stone pan out and throw us the bill, but we didn't ask check out, then they all guys go service the other table after we came, that's so rude and so horrible service!! It feels like I can't pay the bill if I keep order food so they give us the check??!! But I still pay more then 20%tip. If just eat the stone pan slice beef I can homemade myself why I still waste my money and get that attitude??! I won't eat here anymore , so so so disappointed!!!!
(1)Megan H.
Absolutely love the food here! Just be warned, it is a very small restaurant, and they do not take reservations, so if you are daring to attempt dinner on a weekend, be prepared to wait. And wait. And wait.... but the food is fantastic. I wish I could give a more helpful description of what we order, but the beef short ribs and the un-marinated beef bbq option are our regular picks, and they're both amazing.
(5)Hannah C.
If you can get past the wait and the really, I mean REALLY REALLY pushy service, you are in for an absolute treat. This place has the curb appeal of a homeless shelter, but once inside, it's a feast for the senses. This locals spot delivers authentic Korean food at very reasonable prices. Here's how it works: you arrive and your waitress will hand you a menu and point you to a table and before your fanny hits vinyl chair she wants your order. At that point tell her you want the Korean Pancake and then tell her to go away. It's ok, she won't be insulted. You just bought yourself 90 seconds to decide what your table is ordering. She'll return with about 20 small bowls, all things pickled and kimchi, fire up your stone pot. Here's a tip. Eat your kimchi but don't mess with anything else. Order Your meat of choice, wait 10 seconds, she'll be back and throw a couple of pieces in the pot and you're on your way. At that point feel free to cook up the garlic, potatoes, whatevs along with your meats. When you are done and so so happy, she'll come back and throw kimchi in the pot and make kimchi fried rice. It's perfect. You can die happy now. Oh! And it's BYOB.
(5)sum l.
Me and my family went in about 5pm for dinner this Easter Sunday, not surprise that it was very busy... Like crazy! We came in and wait for about 10 minutes, we got a table and we start ordered dumpling, korean pancake, bulgogi and galbi. Everything was amazing. And service was good. Great experience !
(5)Michael S.
First off, I always leave my jacket in the car when I eat here because the enclosed space will naturally leave you smelling like a mixed bag of cooked meats. Second, the wait times can get long due to the fact that a) there is limited seating and b) tables are not getting turned over fast enough. There are usually 2 servers who pretty much race around to serve the entire restaurant. Therefore, the service can be spotty at times, but they try their best to work efficiently. Part of that means trying to turn tables over quickly (feeling rushed?), so that wait times can be shortened. With that being said, it's best to have your order ready when the server comes around. They are not really looking to answer all your questions about the various items on the menu, so be aware. Without question, the go to item here is the Chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket). The minimum order is 2 servings, so I would recommend ordering based on the number of people (ie. 3 people = 3 servings). The Chadolbaegi and accompanying side dishes are about the best that you can get in Chicago and that is why patrons are willing to wait. The meat does cook fairly quickly on the stone skillet, so you'll want to monitor as you're enjoying your meal. Once cooked, the meat is dripping with goodness and I usually dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper sauce that is provided and eat alongside the marinated green onions. As you near the home stretch of meat cooking, the server will come and dump a bowl of rice and kimchi to make a fried rice that will top off your meal. I like to save some pieces of meat to add back into the fried rice. At this point, I'm fully satisfied and my stomach is about to explode! Oh yes, don't forget, it is BYOB, which means less time spent trying to track down the server for a water refill! Overall, since GOOD Korean food is hard to come by in the Chicago area, when you find a spot like Cho Sun Ok, you figure out a way to eat there. Even if it means standing out in the cold!
(5)Amy D.
Bottom line: Good find with delicious variety. KBBQ with a happy ending! Time: Dinner on a Monday night. Made it just in time before the dinner rush Service: Neglected. - What service? Granted it was during the dinner rush, but that shouldn't be an excuse. - Would ask repeatedly for things. Was faster on getting the bill than anything else. - My rating is definitely for the food ONLY. Food: Delish! - Either I was really hungry or the little dishes were amazing! Big fan of their seaweed and cucumber dish. Very refreshing! We were munching on that while we waited for our ChaDol-Gui and SoonDuBu JjiGae. - Plenty of meat for that price! Quite reasonable. The soup was good in terms of flavor, but I definitely have had better. Didn't have a lot of seafood as other Korean restaurants I have been to. - Love how they utilize the remaining side dishes to make kimchi fried rice! Great way to end the meal. My type of happy ending! Although the place doesn't look that welcoming at first, this place is a definite treasure. Been driving by this place for years and finally I walked in! I am glad I came across it and gave it a shot. The ONLY flaw about this place is honestly the service. Only wished the service was better especially if I am a paying customer.
(4)Richard P.
I am a fan of this place if you can get out of the waiting period. I highly recommend going in during off times like the many other reviews say on here. I went a little bit early but still found myself waiting about 30-45minutes. The waiting area inside the restaurant is also pretty small so a lot of people will be waiting outside which is terrible when it's cold out so at all cost try to avoid it!!! But finally once I got inside, the restaurant seemed like a nice cozy, Korean restaurant. The place has good meats for an extremely affordable price. They're known for the chadol (Thin sliced beef) and it was really good! I also tried the kalbi which is my favorite korean bbq but also one of the pricier ones. They cook it for you and bring it out all prepared which was nice but it was a bit disappointing/salty. However, we (4 people) ordered a ton of chadol, kalbi, and two orders of naengmyun for 80$ (AND almost forgot you get a giant pot of fried rice at the end)!!!! What an amazing price for a Korean BBQ spot! This place is also BYOB so it is a great spot to come with a small group of friends. Yes the service isn't that great and the wait might be long, but it is a cheap and tasty place!
(4)Yuri H.
Best Korean restaurant I've been to in the Chicago area. The wait was very long, but darn, the food was gooood. We got there around 12:30 p.m., and we got seated around 2 p.m. We had dwenjangjjigae, gun mandu and chadolbaegi (meat). The service isn't great, but don't let it stress you out. The food will make up for it!!!
(4)Albert K.
No reservations and Very busy. People have to wait in line outside the door. Very small restaurant not enough space. There is a small bathroom is in the back next to the kitchen. Very unorganized waitresses hard to get their attention. Feels like being ignored. It seems like they try to rush you out for the next customers. The waitresses seem like they are under a lot of stress. It's hard to see them smile. Byob you can buy liquor at Jewel down the block. The Food is good and delicious.
(4)Shing Yiing O.
I was visiting Chicago again for a seminar.. So I requested for something decent.. I guess living in NYC where so many great restaurants are easily "accessible".. Chicago CTA is not as great as NYC MTA.. but oh well.. I am thankful that my friend has a car.. So we all drove to Cho Sun Ok.. My friend claims that they have better korean bbq as compare to K town.. I actually I do agree.. I have never been to flushing for korean food so I don't know.. We met a girl that used to live in NYC and she said that Cho Sun Ok is definitely better.. So after waiting for almost an hour on a Friday night.. we finally got a table.. Reason why I love Cho Sun Ok: - great bbq - CHEAP!! some prime beef cost only 25 dollars.. WOW!! And it was HUGE!!! If you come in party of 2.. I guess you can only order 1 portion.. because i bet they serve 2 pounds of meat.. - Big portion as mention BYOB So we ordered - some beef for bbq - bulgogi - seafood pancake - kimchi tofu stew There was a lot of side dishes.. so it was just perfect.. after our meal.. they threw all the left over onions, garlic and kimchi on the grill with rice.. and added some spicy sauce.. it kinda tasted like kimchi fried rice.. and bimbimbop.. well.. the burnt of the rice was great.. lol.. I guess you don't come here for the service.. they don't take down your name.. You have to stand in line and as soon as you reach in front.. they will ask how many parties you have.. The max capacity in this restaurant is 50.. which is big compare to NYC.. but it is pretty small in chicago.. I prefer they have a system where you write your name down instead of standing in the line.. and the place is pack and you can barely stand anywhere.. in the summer, at least is warm.. but it was below freezing in the city of wind..
(4)Mark C.
Sara and I get urges for Korean food on a reasonably regular basis. To get our fix, we usually head to one of two places - the first, is "pick your standard" Korean restaurant out in the burbs. Sure, some are better than others, but there's a number of solid options out in the NW suburbs - Woo Rae Ok, Woori Village, Jigul Jigul, to name a few. In the city, there's also a number of good options - San Soo Gap San is the obvious choice, Gogi has been getting some recent praise since it opened, Great Seas fills a nice niche, but for us, Cho Sun Ok remains the go-to Korean restaurant for us. Logistically, it can be a bit tough - it's a small room, BYOB, and no reservations, so during busy times, you can expect to wait. But once your'e seated, expect a treat. Thankfully, we went on the early side of a Saturday evening and got seated right away. And ordered what we order there about 90% of the time - Haemul Pajun to start, and the Chadol Gui. The Pajeon, a seafood pancake, is always a nice start to the meal - crisply cooked with a good mix of scallion and seafood, mostly pieces of squid. Then comes the meat fest - ordered the Chadol Gui - deli-sliced brisket, so thin that a few seconds grilled on the stone pot is all you need. The order for two is a huge amount for two people, and a solid amount for 3 or 4. The panchan is a good variety and all fresh with two types of kimchi. The shaved scallions are a nice touch as well. The best part of Cho Sun Ok - once you're done with the meat, the pot gets cleared, and they swing up a nice plate of kimchi fried rice, the perfect end to a meal that hits the spot. Pics and more up at: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(5)Christopher N.
If you love the hospitality of a racist dying llama with the flavors of traditional Korea BBQ, I definitely recommend this place for you, your family, and possibly your neighbor's wife (doesn't matter who your hungry little heart desires to bring). It took 17 minutes for the staff to acknowledge my family's existence. This annoyed me to extreme amounts and had me starting my meal hangry (for those less savvy, hangry = hungry + angry) :) When we finally got seated, I was greeted by a friendly grease puddle that I unfortunately placed my arm in and I found I chose the chair with gum or glue-like substance on it. I think I had about 20 seconds to look at the menu before I was approached and asked what I would like to eat. So I had my family order as to not having a chance to look at the menu. ******fast forward to when the food comes out 5 minutes later (wow, omg, that's fast service!!!)******* They cook for you, mix up the food, and even distribute it amongst the group evenly. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they even wiped your own sweat and tears for you. Sounds great right? Wrong. It's horrible. Apparently, if you seem remotely anything other than Korean they do everything for you. They cook massive amounts of meat for you, choose the speed in which you would like to eat, and even decide what you feel like eating and whether or not you have a preference of spice, salt or even over indulging in the same taste until it's gone. During the whole meal I looked around and every full Korean table was cooking themselves at their own pace. Amazing!!! Now that I've said "a little" about the service on to the food! We ordered the bulgogi for two and octopus with vegetables for two since there were four of us. Ban chan was good and filled with variety. Just a tad spread out on the table so I tasted maybe 75% of them. Round 1: Bulgolgi was decent. Not sure if the massive quantity being cooked at a hare's pace did it for me or not. Round 2: Octopus was delicious and maybe a tad salty in the sauce, but a treat to eat especially when they threw in noodles. Round 3: Rice and spicier kimchi is finally thrown in to soak up all the remnants of flavor and sauce left behind after cooking the meat and octopus. I was nearing full at this point and felt that the rice had a kick but overall a bland for my taste. Overall, I would never come back. I left feeling very disappointed after craving the opportunity to eat Korean style BBQ for over a year. In all honestly, I feel a dining experience starts from the moment you enter the door to the moment you leave. I would have given this restaurant 0 stars due to my experiences. Fortunately, I gave this place a star for at least having some food that I can say was good.
(1)Oliver W.
Very tasty Korean BBQ! Don't expect much in terms of service (my friend even called the wait staff rude). But I guess that's a thing because they seem to make a point of being as terse and direct as possible. Anyways the BBQ was delicious! Super greasy but tasted amazing. And the pickles were also very good, not just thrown out there for conspicuous consumption.
(4)Julie Y.
Always came here with my family growing up. I don't know why the categories says chicken wings because that's defiantly not correct. It's byob and small inside so on a busy night you will have to wait outside for a bit but it is worth it. The seafood and meat is great, they bring it out uncooked and you cook it yourself. Always good n fresh. At the end ask them to make you bibimbap, put all the ingredients in the bowl (leftovers) mix it up and take it home. Come hungry a lot of food is served!
(4)Ngoc N.
This is one of my favorite korean bbq places to go too. The ahjumahs are mean but nicer than at other places. I love how when I first went there I looked super confused and they basically came over to cook everything for me. I like how its cooked instead of a grill, it gives it a different experience. The banchans are limited but the ones you do get are well made! My favorite part is the kimchi rice at the end made used by all the leftovers from the meal. I unfortunately am never hungry enough to eat the rice right away. My favorite is the cold noodles from this place! The portion is huge and the seasoning is the best I've had in the city. The reason why I can't give this place 5 stars is because the wait can be god-awful long. Plan accordingly or make sure you have comfortable shoes!
(4)Stephen B.
Great visit to this restaurant today. Ordered the dumpling soup and BiBimBop and when it arrived I thought I'd ordered way too much food! Maybe I did, but it was all delicious so I finished it anyway.
(5)Christina Q.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Tuesday night so it wasn't quite busy like the other reviewers. We got sat down quickly and felt a nice korean ambiance from the restaurant. One big complaint I had was the service. Obviously, the language barrier was huge and muddled. It was hard to communicate, and we expected it to be like this because of past experiences with authentic korean bbq. Servers were kind of rude, seemed like if you weren't korean, they weren't as attentive. However, the food was delicious in spite of the service. We got the kimchi tofu soup with seafood because of the cold weather. It was savory with soft tofu in the spicy broth. There was a lack of seafood though, but the broth made up for the 'seafood' aspect of this dish. We chose the thin meat slices versus the other options. The meat was definitely a good portion for two. The servers cook for you so that was definitely a good experience. As well, they teach you how to pair up the banchans with your meat. It was succulent and delicious. And at the end, they made us some kimchi fried rice which was unexpected. The crispy rice from the bottom with sizzling vegetables and left over meat. Yum! It was definitely better than I expected. If you have a grim about service, this is not a place I woulf recommend. However, if you're up for some pretty good food and a new experience then definitely give it a try!
(4)Karol N.
Delicious food, reasonable prices, and byob. I will definitely go back but only with someone who speaks Korean. The folks complaining about service have never been to Asia, or any authentic Asian restaurant in the U.S. at all. You come here for the food, not the service. If you don't like it, go to P.F. Chang's or Pei Wei.
(5)Michael O.
This place is a real gem! It is the best Korean I have ever have. The service may not be the best and the place is tiny but I have to say the food more than outweighs it!!!! I understand the complains about long waits and the service. I would say about the service situation that this is a cultural thing so minimize it and focus on the food. Regarding space, the actual place is small so you have to go on strategic hours: I find that 6:00pm is generally speaking pretty good time. Alternatively take it to go! Now, the important point here: regarding the food everything is fantastic here. The staples (Bulgogi, Bibimbap, JapChae) are incredibly good but I would say be adventurous as every single dish is delicate, prepare with fresh ingredients, and served in a very traditional appealing way. If you are specifically coming for the Bulgogi you are going to have one of the bests and if I can make a suggestion try the ChaDol-Gui for a change. You will be surprised how amazingly good this dish is!!!! One more thing, this place is BYOB! Great plus! You can really get an amazing dinner for 2 for less than $50 with a pretty good bottle of wine from home!
(5)Samantha M.
This is my favorite Korean family restaurant in Chicago. I take my parents here every single time they come, and they love it (they live in New York so this is saying something)! The way they serve meat here is very authentic, and according to my dad, it's how he used to eat meat in college when he was in Korea. You order KBBQ and after you're done eating, they'll fry rice for you using the same pan with all the side dishes thrown in. Additionally, the KBBQ here is on the cheaper side at around $25 for two servings! This definitely isn't a place where you'd want to have a date at--the restaurant is pretty cramped, crowded, and it's always busy, so you'll either have to yell a lot to get service or wait. But it's a really fun place to go with your family or with a group of friends. Note: if you go during prime dinner hours, you'll have to wait a bit because the restaurant is fairly small. If I had easy access to a car, I'd definitely come here much more frequently than I do now.
(5)Angela M.
We went on Labor Day around 8 pm and got seated right away since a table had just opened up. The service was better than I was told it would be. Maybe that's because it was a slower evening. I actually felt fine with the service. I'm not big on being schmoozed and excessively pampered. We came for the food anyway. And the food is not only excellent. It's also very generous. I mean, the little bowls of sides are small. But overall, the amount of food could feed a family of four for two meals. Really. There is a lot of food. I feel excited to bring my husband and family here.
(4)Michelle Z.
The food is all right, but the service is soooooo bad!!!! They totally ignored me when I ask them for extra bowl to share my soup. Idk if they didn't understand me or what, but I would never go back!
(1)Kay O.
The bibimbap they make after you're done grilling all your meat (certain dishes only) is fantastic and really just the cherry on top of a great meal. Be warned though, the wait is pretty long. The smaller your party, the faster you'll get seated.
(5)Ibrahim J.
Summary: great food! I ordered the tripe BBQ (it said "house specialty on the menu, so why not?) and the waitress kindly tried to encourage me to get the bulgogi instead-- I'm obviously not Korean so I understand why she tried to dissuade me...Only after pointing to her stomach and making sure that I was aware, did she accept my order It was chewy as expected, but If they can make tripe that pleasant, then I must get the "proper" beef next time. The waitress kept coming around to snip the meat and make sure the bbq was functioning. The best part came at the end when the now- empty stone cooking surface was filled with a mixture of kimchi, rice, and butter to make a wonderful kimchi fried rice, complete with all the deliciously browned juices from the meat. Side dish quality is a good indication of what you will get at these places-- and in this case, they were great. At lesser places, you can tell that they've been sitting out for a while, but not here. I went alone, but as with most "hands on" KBBQ places the setting is great for family groups or dates.
(4)Bethany A.
I revisited with my boyfriend when he came to visit me in Chicago, and it's still just a 4-star place. The food is on point, but they seriously should consider enlarging the restaurant because during dinnertime, a line builds up around the entrance and it's not pleasant for the diners eating their food near the door nor the people waiting for a table. I mean, there's always the option of standing outside... but in Chicago, that's not really a real option.
(4)John L.
Review really only deserve 4 stars since service was lousy, buuuuut the food is insanely good! I've heard the wait can be 2 hours on weekends but this place does Korean right! Only homemade Korean is better than this place, and it's still a close second! They kind of go cheap on the banchan but it's probably because it's so delicious! That made no sense but it is what it is!
(5)Will C.
So last night for dinner, we finally came to try out Cho Sun Ok after the many raves from friends and from Yelp reviews. And it is true that the food is absolutely delicious and the service is lacking. If you are a very passive person, you will starve. You need to be assertive and aggressive if you want to get the staffs' attention. That is typical if you are a frequent Asian fare eater. So we came in with group of 4 on a Saturday evening. Arrived at 6pm, got seated at 6:45pm. I've heard where the average wait time varies b/t 40 mins to 2 hours. We also had no koreans in our group nor anyone that spoke it. We ordered the #1 Cha dol bae gi, #4 Bulgogi, and the #5 (beef and octopus, forgot the name lol). All were very delicious. The group loved the Bulgogi; I loved the Cha dol bae gi. The service......was shockingly not that bad; I only had to smack the waitress the menu once to get her attention haha. We actually had 5 refills for the group of the 5 times we requested it. One of which they came by and asked if we needed water. MIND BLOWN.....haha. Bathroom, not going to lie; pretty nasty. Its through the kitchen but I've seen worse. So this first experience was very good and even the worse not terrible, but I do know how these types of restaurants are where the waitresses have been trained not to make eye contact haha. The food was definitely 5 stars. Very good cuts of meat. Wait time was a 2. Service 3.5 to 4. We will come back again for sure.
(4)Mimi H.
The service was not as bad as everyone says. Honestly, that's just how it goes at Korean restaurants and often times just the culture. They want you in and out of there so the quicker you know what you want the better. We had the bibim neng myun and cha dol baegi. Absolutely delicious. Lots of variety in the ban chan (side dishes). Kimchi fries rice in the end to close out the delicious meal.
(5)Tim B.
This restaurant serves some of the best Korean food I have ever tasted. Every dish was mouth watering and delicious. Unfortunately, the service here was absolutely sub par. We received little to no acknowledgement after we ordered. Our server would not talk to us at all. She never brought us plates or glasses of water after requesting them several times. We were the only table that had not received these essentials and many of the tables had been seated after us.
(2)Sarah B.
The food here was incredible- all the condiments/side dishes they bring out to accompany your order, the fried dumplings, the short ribs (holy freaking delicious) and the octopus/steak tabletop order were all very tasty. BYOB is always a plus too! The only slight downside to this place is that we really had no idea how or what to order (both in terms of items and quantity) and looked to the waitress for recommendations and explanation of the menu, and she did not help us. However, what we picked off the menu ended up being delicious, and I would certainly recommend this place to others!
(4)Patty C.
Good and consistent authentic Korean food. I come here quite often. Service is okay, but servers speak very little English. Also, you will smell like this place afterwards, so be prepared.
(4)Benjamin B.
The food is good, however the ambiance is a little rough for a date night. It was a bit noisy with the small space, the staff cleaning tables make a lot of racket tossing dishes into a bin, and my chair and arm were repeatedly bumped into by the staff as they walked by. Overall, our waitress' attitude felt a little cold. Didn't want to make eye contact so it made it difficult to get her attention when we needed something. Overall, we won't go back as a date spot, but in a group setting it might be fun.
(3)Fish Y.
Great place for korean food, but the customer service....
(4)Kelly P.
I love this place but I give only 4 stars because the service. The food is very fantastic but the service is suck. I wait for my Coke 30 min.
(4)Marc A.
Not able to write anything that hasn't been said. Just what a great cramped, overcrowded, limited english, super tasty and friendly place to eat. No it isn't romantic...people are crammed in like a NYC subway. Yes it is loud....mostly from orgasmic taste bud explosions. Waitress did not speak really.....but if I wanted hand and foot I'd go to Les Nomades. She was however extremely efficient. 4 people enourmous servings = 62$ with tip. Parking can be a pain.
(5)Elina S.
Okay, Cho Sun Ok, you were kind of a zoo. I've wanted to go to an authentic Korean bbq place for a while since I've recently become a bigger fan of Korean food in general, but unfortunately this place did not leave me longing for more. I came here with my husband and my two friends on a Sunday around 4:30pm and it's good that we did since there was only like 3 tables left and the place is tiny, and a half an hour later it was completely full. What annoyed us is that even though there were 3 tables left, we were sat at the smallest one and when we asked to be moved to a bigger table just because we felt a tad cramped, the lady told me " nope, that's an 8 person table." If she meant 8 midgets, fine. I guess I was just going to let that slide. Then when it came to ordering we got the dumplings as an appetizer and they were nothing special nor flavorful so I would skip those. Then they have these cooking packages for $25 and we wanted to get two of the bulgogi since we're a fan of bulgogi and there were 4 of us. I asked if they can put that rice on top as I read about in many of the reviews. She flat out said, nope, it doesn't come with rice and made us order another dish that apparantly comes with rice. I mean, after having both the bulgogi and the other fatty meat that she advised us on, I don't see why they couldn't have just given us the rice with bulgogi and bulgogi alone. Oh well, we were given all the little dishes that were decent in taste. Then that other meat came up that was super fatty which my husband hates and it didn't have that much flavor, it needed salt and sweetness or spiciness, just everything. We didn't like it at all. Afterwards, came the bulgogi which was tasty but we would have liked more of it since we liked the sweetness of the meat, but apparently we couldn't have had rice with it even though the rice was given right after the bulgogi. So if I ever come to this crazy busy, they will not refill your water for a while establishment, I will ONLY order the bulgogi and make them put some rice on top with the kimchi and all the other fillings even if I have to pay extra for it. I just don't like when someone forces you to order another type of meat just for the rice, it didn't make sense. Overall, it was super hot in there, super congested, the place is tiny, they are not super friendly at all and the food was alright. I guess I will just stick to Korean food served as a meal and not where you cook it by yourself. Oh and after everything the kimchi fried rice was just okay, too much sour flavor to it in my opinion.
(2)Erin P.
Be prepared to wait in line for dinner. We waited close to two hours for dinner with a party of 5 on a Saturday night. However, once we we seated we had a great experience. While the servers were busy, they took the time to show us the correct way to eat our meat with the proper condiments. We also loved the short ribs, chive pancake, kimchee fried rice and all the little bowls of fun snacks!
(4)Tony S.
Great korean food for the price! $25 for bbq for 2 people, more than enough to fill you up
(5)Bruno V.
The food is amazing which why everytime you go you have to wait. Bring a book. Lol The service can appear to be quite unfriendly. Just know what you want to order and be quick. Eat and get out!! There are always people waiting for your table!
(4)Dave L.
My wife and I were visiting Chicago for a week. Every place we visit we try and look for Korean food cause obviously we love Korean food and plus we're Koreans. We were told of this place by one of our friends. She said that it's the best in the area. So we already had high expectations before even stepping in the front door. We got there around 7:30 on a weeknight. And it was packed! Good thing it was only two of us so we were able to skip the entire line and sit at the only table available which happened to be a two-person table. There were three groups ahead of us and were waiting for a bigger table. There isn't a hostess to get ur names and out u on a waiting list. It's just first come first seating I guess. Right before we sat down at our table there was an argument about who was here first between two other groups and it got a lil heated. So I docked 1 star because of possible issues like this at this place. My wife ordered the duk mandoo gook and I ordered bibim naeng myun and kalbi. The banchan (side dishes) came out first. And plenty of it came out. And it was so good. 100x better than the Korean restaurant we went to in Ann Arbor (see my other reviews). We finished a few side dishes and complimented (in Korean) how delish they were. And the lady brought out more for us very quickly. Our entrees came out fairly quickly and they were all good. Kalbi was awesome. I've read some reviews saying the service is subpar. But I didn't feel like it was. It's not a 4 or 5 star restaurant with a hostess and a crew of waiters and waitresses. It's a small Korean restaurant and a few ppl as a wait staff. And with that in mind, we were served pretty well. This place does get real crowded. I can't imagine what it'd be like on weekends. But I would recommend this place as the food, from the banchan to the entrees, it was real good.
(4)Michelle K.
The line wasn't out the door today so we decided to wait. We were seated relatively quickly and ordered the deungshim as well as the galbi. The deungshim we cooked ourselves and the galbi came precooked. The galbi was pretty delicious--well marinated though a teeeeeeeeeny bit too sweet. The deungshim was okay--it came to the table frozen as meat at some Korean places come. The meat was okay. I was actually SO hungry and ate a lot of the banchan (side dishes) that came out though I normally refrain from eating them at most Korean places because they're usually not great. Aside from the seaweed and potato dishes, the rest of the side dishes were pretty unremarkable. That being said, the fried rice they make at the end uses the kimchi and other spicy side dishes in addition to the things they bring. This was something we were looking forward to but something was missing about it. Maybe the egg or cheese or even sesame seed oil or red pepper paste. Or all of the above. We added our own sesame oil from the dishes they gave us to dip the meat in and it was fine but nothing that I would want to pay for again or go out of my way to eat. Lastly, we ordered the mool naengmyun and the bean paste stew. The bean paste stew was definitely not what we expected and was WAY too salty. The naengmyun, however, was pretty good! The service was atrocious at best--the waitresses use their hands to put the ice in their cups (we sat next to their working station and I watched as they did this) and were not very attentive to us or most of the other tables. You're busy, we get it but there are 5 of you for 12 tables. We had to ask for things multiple times and were often treated rudely which I guess is pretty customary for a Korean restaurant. Honestly, I don't understand what all the hype is about and would give this pace a 2.5. I would definitely not wait again for this place!
(2)Shaynee S.
Nothing speaks my language better thank kimchee and hot and sour soup! Cho Sun OK Restaurant is authentic as can be and met my Korean food craving that was long overdue. Here's the thing about attending a GOOD Korean restaurant. 1) Don't expect grade A service because that's not why you go. It is expected to have your server to be a tiny, aggressive, straight to the point woman who is here to pump out a plethora of dank pickled goodness and get the hot plate going. If you're looking for a smile and an in depth explanation of how a dish taste.... than you have no business being there. 2) Go in knowing that you will be crammed in like sardines and probably sitting so close to your neighbors that you have no choice but to listen to their banter because that's how good the food is here and everyone wants to eat here. 3) NO YOUR NUMBERS. Majority of the time no one knows the name of the deliciousness presented on the menu and the server never expects you to. Just know the number of the dish you want and they'll make it happen. They key is to be efficient as possible in the ordering process.... don't waste their time trying to pronounce dish items because you want to seem cultured and PC. 4) Don't lounge. Get in, eat, and get out. As much as you want to sit down and converse.... there's an entire line out the door giving you the stink eye because you decide to take a breath in between bites 5) Don't complain about the wait. It wouldn't be good if there wasn't any wait. Now that we got the ground rules out of the way, let's talk food! Boiled and fried dumplings... delicious.... but there dumplings so you can't go wrong BBQ pork: spicy, tasty, addicting Bulgogi: tender, flavorful, juicy Hot and sour tofu soup with seafood: you could tell that they either make their own tofu or they get a high quality brand because the creaminess and texture s not one to be bought in stores. Broth was excellent and the seafood portion was spot on. Vermicelli noodles with seafood: fantastic! Knowing that this gem of a place is walking distance from my abode gives me reassurance that I will make it through life here in Chicago and now I have a spot that can adequately suffice my crazy Asian cravings whenever they act up. Thanks Cho Sun OK for the comfort blanket;)
(5)Cindy L.
This restaurant offers one of a kind experience. Yes the food is alright but the waitresses are so rude. Me and my boyfriend went there, waited in line and when it was our turn the hostess simply skipped my boyfriend and asked the couple behind us. It's hard not to think the hostess skipped him because of his skin color. Then we had to remind her we were in front of the couple. Then she sat is down and the waitress who took our order kept telling us the orders we wanted to take were too small of a portion. Seriously what kinda customer service is this? I would never come here again simply because of the fact that we received subpar customer service and potentially discrimination because of my boyfriends race. The owner is lucky I didn't file a complaint. Maybe you shud train your waitress to be subtle when a black guy walks into the restaurant. This is just straight up disrespectful and ignorant. This place has lost my business forever.
(1)Lisa H.
Decided to take my friend here for her birthday because she loves Korean BBQ and I heard nothing but great things about this place. It was a Wednesday evening and upon arrival, I noticed there was a line forming out the door. The wait time was about 30-45 minutes (they don't take reservations.) After close to an hour, we finally sat down and were given water and menus. We decided to get an order of seafood pancake to start. The pancake was filled with squid, imitation crab meat, onions, and some bell peppers. The taste was just ok, nothing too special. For our entrees, we got bulgogi (marinated sliced beef) and doeji gui (marinated sliced pork) to BBQ. The meat was marinated well, but tasted just like every other Korean BBQ place I have been to. So food wise, there is nothing too special about this place. The service here isn't as bad as everyone claims it to be though, but still could have been better. They only refilled our water and any side dishes that were empty when asked, but they did take the time to help us cook our meats and made fried rice with our leftovers. Overall, I think Cho Sun Ok offers average food and service. I don't see myself coming back anytime soon to wait in an hour line.
(2)Emmy H.
Go early! And I wouldn't suggest bringing alcohol if you're going on a weekend- just as a courtesy to others because if you do, you'll be hogging a table longer while there's a line of people waiting. The food is delicious, and you'll always leave with your hair smelling like korean BBQ!
(4)Elizabeth H.
I had the fried dumplings, thinly sliced beef, and the mackerel. They were all outstanding! A great place for small groups or dates.
(5)Lucy C.
PROS: 1. Cha dol bae gi. I don't even need a menu. 2. BYOB. Nothing beats Korean BBQ and ice cold beer + soju. 3. Pan chan (side dishes) galore! The kimchi is really good. 4. They put rice in your pan at the end of your meal for freaking delicious fried rice, flavored by all your meat oils and leftover side dishes. It's tempting to ask for extra butter... 5. They give you gum with your check. CONS: 1. No reservations + small venue = line out the door. 2. Sometimes they will put small parties at the same table. I shared mine with a couple that really liked PDA... 3. Despite talking to the servers in English, they will always respond in Korean. 4. You have to walk through the kitchen, all the way in the back to use their tiny, I-can-barely-turn-around-without-touching-the-wall bathroom. 5. Your hair and clothes will smell like meat for a week. A fragrant souvenir of your culinary adventure, perhaps?
(4)Barry m.
I love this place. They give you tons of food for your $, its BYOB, the quality is fantastic, the Kimchee Chigae is the best in the city, and it feels like being in eoul. For all y'all complaining about the Ajuma's (old woman waitresses) you must understand the way of the Ajuma. Tough as nails but very sweet on the inside. , !
(5)Marcela R.
Delicious food at a great price. Severs are nice, but they barely speak English and they do not seem to bother to understand a word of what you are saying.
(4)Jenny T.
Sorry guys, not a fan. Before coming here, I noticed a lot of people had gripes about the service, so I came prepared. However, after waiting almost an hour and the waitstaff seated the party of 3 and a party of 4 that came AFTER my party of 2, all bets were off. I had put my Asian game face on and everything, walking up to the just emptied table, but the server totally denied me and I was left standing there awkwardly as the parties behind us filled the empty tables. We were pretty hungry by the time we got seated, and we ordered the beef with octopus, kimchi jigae, and seafood pancake. I was underwhelmed by the panchan (two varieties of kimchi, sweet marinated potato, seaweed, bean sprouts, potato salad, pickled radish) and the kimchi jigae (usually a quick favorite) lacked that particular oomph. My man and i observed that the kimchi fried rice ending was only given to those who had ordered the thick cut meat, since we didn't get this treatment as we ordered the thin cut meat with octopus. No matter --we were full enough as it was by the end of the meal anyway. He had a hard time getting iced water refills, and I had a hard time enjoying dinner since I felt for the accumulating crowd by the door escaping the cold. There are many other great places in Chicago for Korean food. Not sure what the hype is about this place, maybe its appeal is that it's public transportation adjacent? Most likely won't be coming back here. Good luck with the wait!
(3)Sippy P.
VERMIN, GNATS & SO RUDE!!! We love Korean BBQ so we were excited to try Cho Sun Ok while visiting Chicago with it's good reviews from Yelp. Our party of 5 sat down and were totally ignored for nearly 20 minutes before we went up to the register to ask for menus and water. All of the women servers had dirty looks on their faces and threw plates and silverware around like they were mad. Koreans who came in after us were getting their water, menus, and food immediately. I guess you have to be Korean here to be treated with any level of respect or courtesy. Food was just okay. The only meat available to cook was beef. The stoves are NOT authentic charcoal but gas. Lots of gnats flying around the table and food. Vents over the grills do not work well. As I waited outside for the rest of my party after our meal I watched a very large mouse (or small rat) scamper out of the side kitchen door of the restaurant. We won't be back. There are much better, cleaner, and friendlier Korean restaurants out there!! NOT deserving of these 3,4, and 5 star ratings!!
(1)Mai L.
Been here a few times and never disappointing. This time we had bulgogi and kimchi pork belly. Both were the best I've ever had! The soondubu was also really tasty but a bit too spicy for me and did not have much seafood.
(4)Corey D.
The food and presentation are great! The service, not so much. They were waaaay to busy, poorly staffed and it's super small. You have to hang your own coat too. We didn't get service at our table for the first twenty minutes. This was a Monday evening, so I can only imagine how it is on other days of the week. If you're not White or Asian prepare to be stared at, but they eventually became a little more comfortable.
(1)Danny M.
I have passed by this place numerous times when we go for burger night at a bar by here. My friend told us about this place and he highly recommended we try it. Therefore, I came here with a group of 4 on a weekend and it was packed, so we had to wait outside for about 20 mins. As soon as we were seated, you can tell the service was pretty bad from the beginning. We didn't get much attention for about 10 minutes after we were seated. However, when a Korean family came in about 15 minutes after us and were seated next to us, they automatically had VIP service. They were attended to first and they even placed there order and they had water on there table already. Our table...still nothing. Anyway, we finally placed our order and water was brought to our table. My favorite thing from here is the Suhn Dubu, which is pretty good if you love tofu. It was spicy, but nothing crazy. Other than that, everything else we ordered was just okay for the most part. I really wanted to try the Kimchi Fried Rice because it looked so yummy, but we were too full to get that. Plus it is huge... For the most part, I thought the food here was good, but I have definitely had better. Plus the service was beyond horrible, which ruined my mood to eat. At one time, I just wanted to finish my food and leave.
(3)LaDarian D.
One of my favorite parts of living in North Center is Cho Sun Ok. This place is PACKED everyday because the tradition style of Korean hibachi is always on point. The sliced beef & spicy octopus is a must monthly at minimum. Inexpensive BYOB & always hits the spot
(5)B T.
I can't believe this place existed in the US. Absolutely tasty and authentic Korean restaurant!!! High quality, very crowded, availability of great selections! What's that called? The rice in the Teppan in the end, that become crunchy, mixed with spicy kimchee, meat and vegetables? I'm surprised about the authenticity and quality. The only cons: 1) BYOB (can be the PRO, haha) 2) crowded (people love this place) 3) definitely get food coma (eat well within budget)
(4)Zach A.
Wonderful Korean food, my favorite in Chicago. The little dishes that come with everything, pan chan, are fantastic! Ask for more if you really like something. Enjoy!
(4)Jiwon M.
you know we always talk about the perfect foods always come from "the dives"? Well this is the hole in the wall place that will like FLOOR you with amazing food! This is the Korean version of the Soup Natzi (Seinfeld Episode go check it out if you didn't get it). They will run you ion like you were cattle but man you WILL come out like PIGS. Serious Korean eats. Authentic as they come and you WILL Crave just about everything you eat! MUST TRY AT LEAST ONCE
(5)Liam A.
We couldn't even eat here and this "review", if I must, will just detail what we experienced in merely trying to. So we arrived here late one Friday night with a party of five. We didn't have reservations so right off the bat we were okay with waiting for a table to open up. The problem started when we entered the place and immediately found about 15+ other people standing around like sardines in the tiniest entry way ever. It must've been less that seven feet of space from the door to go outside to the unmanned hostess booth and every inch of that space was taken up by people waiting. Amidst standing there shivering to near death because the door either woundn't remain closed or someone was entering/leaving, all the people waiting started wondering if anyone's actually been acknowledged by the staff. Turns out that out of the 3 or 4 parties waiting there the staff had only talked to one. From where I stood I could see over our crowd and noticed that all of the workers kept busy and none even bothered to check the situation by the door. Just poor management of the situation, that's all. Add to that how it was freezing cold and none of us were given an estimate wait time for a table let alone greeted. Half of those parties waiting ended up leaving due to being ignored. We followed suit. I don't think I'd go back again even if I was guaranteed a table.
(1)Mandy W.
Ok..This 1 star is for the food. Horrible service!. So, I had guests from Canada and since they love Korean food and i took them here. We had the party of 8 and i ordered like 4 orders of cha dol gui and the server only brought out 2 orders ( well they charged me for 2 only at the end). It was my first time here so i didn't know how big the order was so i assumed that they brought out enough. I tried to asked for more banchan and the servers brought only kimchi out and she did not seem like she wanted to served us. They tried to rushed us out even we had not finished with out food. What a bad place! It left bad impressions for my guests since they said the services a the Korean restaurants in Canada are way BETTER than here. It is so embarassing though.
(1)Ashley V.
Best Korean BBQ in Chicago, hands down. So happy I found this place!! Unfortunately, the line during dinner hours is always ridiculous so if you can, try to go during off peak times. The bulgogi is unlike any I've had before. So sweet and juicy - amaaaazing. And when you order the chadolbaegi, they will make the kimchee fried rice with the rest of your meat in the end. Yes, the service is sub par but they have never been outright rude to me. Totally worth the wait and meh service if you ask me. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Connie Y.
Nothing too stellar about the BBQ at this place, but food is good. This place is a bit small with long wait times as a result. I don't believe that it's so good to the point that you can't get good Korean BBQ elsewhere for much less wait time. Service is not great either with the wait staff being quite brusque and unattentive.
(3)Joseph J.
Hands down the best Korean food in Chicago. Sure, the waitresses are surly and can't speak a word of English, but I don't care. The trifecta of Kalbi, Kotchari, and Korean sticky rice in your mouth at the same time is pure heaven. Their kimchee jigae and yuk gae jang are off the charts. I've been going here for 13 years and will never stop. Highly recommended.
(4)Christina K.
Food is decent, but the service actually made me really unhappy, speaking as a girl who's waitressed for 1.5 years. We had a table of 3, were sat within 3-4 minutes after they cleared a table. We ordered fairly quickly - galbi, soondubu jigae, and seafood pajun. While we were waiting for our banchan, we saw 3 other groups come in, be seated, eventually order, and then receive their banchan from the same waitress who took our order. Two of the groups were caucasian, one was asian. We wondered why there was such a long delay for our banchan and asked the waitress if ours was coming soon. She brought it in a few minutes. Overall, it probably took us about 5-10 minutes longer to get our banchan than it did the other 3 groups. All right, whatever. Maybe she forgot our table, which happens, or maybe she purposely served white people first because they tend to tip more than asian americans. I get it, really. We got our food in decent time and started eating. The soondubu was really nice, galbi had approx. the right flavor, but was rather tough, and the seafood pajun was disappointing. It was not crisp at all, more moist and soft, and the batter left a lot to be desired. I love pajun, but only if it's stuffed with a big helping of seafood, if the batter itself is delicious, and if it's fried so that it's golden and crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. We asked for water nicely. Then I asked for a refill of 2 specific banchan dishes. While I was asking for the refill of the banchan, the waitress stared at me, started walking away. I said "Sorry! Can I have - " but no, she was already gone. I'm pretty shy and I don't consider myself bitchy when I ask for things in restaurants, so I was very shocked that she just walked off while I was nicely asking her for water and banchan. My friend flagged down another waitress and asked for the two banchan dishes. We never got our water for the rest of the meal, nor did we get our banchan. I understand that when it gets busy, as a waitress, you start forgetting things, but I try my best when I'm serving to make everyone as happy as possible. I've never just walked away from a customer asking politely for water and extra appetizers, which is why I was so unhappy with the service I received. I'm not sure why the service I received was so bad. Either way, not bringing my friends around here anymore.
(2)David P.
I was in Korea for 4 years and the people are much more kind and customer service is tons better in Korea. We went to this restaurant because heard it was best in Chicago. If this is best in Chicago, they should close this restaurant. If you weren't Korean, you didn't get any service ... Period. We sat at our table for at least 15 minutes (literally) before we even got water. I had to flag our server down to even get the water. Food IS NOT very good. I love Korean food and have eaten tons of times and this was the worst. I've eaten in New York and food is much better. Even in Nashville there is a Korean restaurant called Seoul Garden that puts this place to shame. Anyone who says this place is good is either a relative to the owner or has never had real good Korean food and SERVICE. I will NEVER go back here.
(1)Nathasja T.
This place is great! It may appear dark and dingy on the outside, but when you walk in it is actually surprisingly clean and light inside. There are a couple of tables in the center, and a few booths around the outsides of the diningroom. Seating is limited, so do your best not to come during peak times. The restaurant is BYOB, which is a total plus. BYOB creates an immediate, cozy, homey feel. It kindof reminds me of stopping over at your best friends house after work with some brewskis and take out food. Only you are dining in, and the food is ubdoubtedly gonna be so much better here. The tabletop grills here are hysterical. Instead of spiffy, built-in grills this restaurant brings out these little tabletop grills of all shapes and sizes. They are of the variety that your grandma would take if she went camping fiftysome years ago. It is so cute and still totally does the job. We ordered bulghogi to share, and what a great decision that was. You receive a large amount of meat, and since the marinate is so gorgeously, sinfully delicious you would easily be overeating if you'd order your own portion all for yourself. Bulghogi is one of those dishes that are very hard to mess up in my book. It is almost always a glorious feast of flavor, and I will go as far as saying this may be the best I have had so far. The meat caramelizes in such a manner that you will soon find yourself scraping the pan for itty bitty pieces stuck in the bottom. It'll make you feel like a total hobo, but you must not waste a single piece of this Godly goodness. The banchan are good, but be careful when asking for refills. The waitstaff seems perpetually crabby, so much so that I laughed out loud at the user comparing this place to the 'no soup for you' skid. It really sortof is like that here. Also, check your water before you drink it. They tend to give out some oddly colored brownish-yellow water. I have still not deciphered what this was, but it was oddly tasty. I was told it was a traditional Korean drink, but if you prefer regular ole American see-thru water, be sure to specify.
(5)Kathy L.
The best cold buckwheat noodle, except for my home made. My husband and I are going to have it for lunch today. Just as an FYI, you never go to a Korean restaurant for service. It's done the same way in Korea... you come in, sit, order fast, and if you need anything else, you raise your hand and holler to get the waitress' attention. :)
(4)Marianne A.
I'm doing a review from when we went here last week. Last and first time was in February, this time we came earlier (630pm) looking to give this place another try since the food was the standout last time. We were seated up at the "bar" near the front and this time we got much better service because all the Korean aunties had to pass us going in and out of the kitchen. Had a the spicy shredded beef appetizer soup ($4) and it fed both of us. Again had the bulgogi dinner for 2 with all the side dishes. Food was as authentic and great as last time, loved the kimchee! Sooo happy with this experience that it totally made up for the previous. It was packed again and as we left an hour later at 730pm there were about 10 people in line out the door! It needs to be bigger so that more groups can be seated comfortably. Legit korean food in the city! And yes, you totally smell like beef after!
(5)Raymond M.
I think this is the one of the best Korean BBQ restaurant in Chicago. I heard that this place was really small and the wait is long for a table. Luckily, my friends and I arrived when there was one table available. Unlike other Korean BBQ restaurants with grills, this place has stone pots. We ordered the ChaDol-Gui, BulGogi, Galbi-Gui, and KimChi JjiGae. We started with the ChaDol-Gui. The thinly sliced beef was tender and well-complimented by the side dishes and dipping sauces. It is similar to the Beef Brisket from Woori Village, but it was fresher here. The Galbi-Gui came as a separate dish. The charcoal-broiled beef short ribs were delicious I would like it to have some slight burnt pieces on the edges to give it a nice crispiness. Next onto the stone pot was the BulGoGi. The beef was tender, juicy, and well-marinated; it was sweet and not too salty. The KimChi JjiGae did not stand out among the kimchi jjigae from other Korean restaurants I went. After we were finishing up our last meat, the server placed most of our side dishes onto the stone pot along with a few more ingredients and rice. I have never seen this before. This kimchi fried rice was very delicious because it was mixed with all the flavors and juices from the meats and the delicious side dishes. The variety of flavors and textures within the fried rice was further enhanced by the stone pot making the bottom of the rice crispy without burning it black. The service was better than most Korean BBQ restaurants. They actually cook and serve you food; however, it felt a little rushed because the server had to attend to other diners. I was a little disappointed because our side dishes and water were not refilled when asked, but it's okay. I walked out happy and full. As I walked out, there was a huge line waiting. Thankfully, we were not one of them. One of the best Korean BBQ!!!
(5)John Y.
Awesome portions and totally authentic taste. Kicks the shit out of K-town's offerings in NYC. I will definitely come back when I visit Chicago again.
(5)Connie L.
This is my favorite Korean place in the area--the tabletop bulgolgi is amazing along with the seafood pancake. I suggest coming either really early or during a weekday. The place is small and you will probably have to wait awhile if you come around 6PM. I've stood outside in line during a winter night just to grab a table. I would give it 5 stars if the service wasn't so bad (it would be better to bring someone who speaks Korean). They rarely check up on you and you can expect your water to be empty (my friend anticipated this so she brought her own).
(4)Angel W.
Great food but horrible attitude if you are not Korean. We are supposed to have three orders of fired rice , but only gave us one. We had No water / tea till halfway meal.
(3)Sam C.
I have no idea why this place is ranked so high. I came here before a meeting during dinner time and ordered the following: 1) SoonDuBu JjiGae 2) Galbi The soondubu is a bit watery but it does have better flavor than most places I've been do (which isn't saying much). The Galbi is giant ribs and not the smaller ribs, which makes eating hard. The worst about the galbi is that it tasted like it was precooked then they just heat it up. I have to say, I'm totally disappointed.
(2)Doe L.
This place is A-OK (as yelp states it) in my opinion. There's always a wait. I'm not bothered about this part since it's kind of expected to wait for good food. I am a little annoyed by the constant flow of people walking ahead of me to see if they can put their names down (FYI you can't). When your only waiting area is a tiny crammed space between the two doors, that can get old fast. If the line gets past the door, it's kind of an honor system then because I have seem a bunch of people just crowding the door and not forming a line. Why is there usually a wait? Because the place is tiny. Expect to be very close to your neighboring table and if you're unlucky enough to get stuffed into a chair in the walkway, expect to get bumped by people. The chadolbaegi is good but nothing that really wows me. As stated, service is not that great. They've never been very mean to me but they also don't really care. It may take a minute to get refills (on panchan, drinks, etc...) or it may never come because they just forgot. They do get their essentials down fast though (Get your order, bring first panchans, bring your meat, make the fried rice at the end). They just don't care. My bf was distraught when they sped off with one of our dishes and there was a big slice of haemul pajeon left on it. They took off so fast that we couldn't even utter a sound. He was inconsolable for the rest of the night (not because it was really good but more because he hates wasting/losing food).
(3)Anna H.
This place has the best chaldobaegi (thin sliced, non-marinated beef) and kimchee fried rice, which is cooked at your table in the same stoneware plate after the meats have been cooked. This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the city limits of Chicago by far. But the space is very small and this place is always packed. Be prepared to wait in a line during peak lunch or dinner hours. They do not take reservations. I would not recommend coming here with a part of more than 6-7 people. BYOB - woot!
(5)Mimi L.
Best Korean food in Chicago and it's BYOB. My friends and I usually order the un-marinated beef and drool at the end when they make the crispy rice. Sorry I don't know how to pronounce the dish, I just know where to point on the menu. The waitresses don't speak much much English and they usually ignore you until you flag them down for something. It's a small place and the wait is kind of long during peak times so don't go there too hungry.
(5)Jane Y.
came here TWICE. service was AWFUL. First of all they neglected us the whole time going to other tables to cook their barbecue (probably because we couldnt speak korean or were not white says my Korean friend who i talked to later on). server never once looked at us then, when we ask for more side dishes, they didn't give it to us nor did they give us the kimchi fried rice with our bbq for 2 im highly disappointed because their bbq is not bad service is so awful i would not go back nor recommend it. they were just plain RUDE. i understand that they were semi busy but there were plenty of servers for the amount of tables (speaking from own serving experience)
(1)Adrienne C.
"I don't stop eating when i'm full. The meal is not over when i'm full. The meal is over when I hate myself." -Louis CK Oh, Chosun Oak...good thing I don't live in Chicago anymore or else your delicious, thinly sliced Cha Dol Bae Gi* and kimchi fried rice* finale would have been the end of my waistline. Get the soondubu* (tofu soup) to have with your meat. Especially if it's cold outside. This place is an excellent value (approx $30 for 2 people). You probably won't need to eat lunch the next day either. note: the overworked, middle-aged Korean waitresses are in the business of quickly accommodating all their customers. dont expect anything else from them. tip: leave dry clean only jackets/coats in the car or else they'll smell like smoke from the meat cooking at your table also, it's BYOB now. *I'm Korean, so you can trust me
(4)Kira W.
Went here with friends last night and really enjoyed the food. We started with the pan friend dumplings which were very tasty. BulGoGi was the main meat dish we ordered and wow, it was amazing! You cook the meat yourself on your table as well which is a fun experience. The other meat entree we ordered (which was not cooked at our table) was the KimChi SamGyeobSal. This was my favorite. So much flavor with a little spice to it. I couldn't stop eating it! We also had a rice and noodle dish both of which were very good but the meat was the main event at this place. It is a very small restaurant so I recommend getting there early or you are in for a bit of a wait. I will definitely be coming back here and probably ordering the same exact meats because they were THAT good :)
(4)Peter D.
For the price, location, and quality, Cho Sun Ok is a winner. It may not have the most extensive menu I've seen, especially compared with other Korean BBQ offerings I've had in Baltimore and Philadelphia, but the quality and affordability outweigh the smallish menu. Oyster pancakes are a MUST and I would highly recommend anything that can be grilled at the table (as opposed to the kitchen). I'll be back for sure. Did I mention it's also BYOB?
(5)Chrystarie H.
The bulgogi and banchan was delicious. Thank u fellow yelpers. My friend loved the place ^_^
(5)Gina P.
I've never been to Korea, but I've been to Cho Sun Ok! The food was fresh, hot and delicious. The service was that of what I would believe to be "Korean." When in Rome, ladies and gentlemen. I ordered the hot & spicy tofu and beef soup that was super hot and nice and spicy. My friend ordered something that gratefully provided all the itty bitty sides. I'll definitely be back for more, and recommend you try it!
(5)Kelsey H.
WOW! Great small ALMOST hole-in-the-wall Korean place with great food for a great price (5 of us BIG eaters ate for under $70). We had the Chaldo-gui, which was unmarinated thinly sliced beef. We tried to cook it on our own but were too slow by cooking it slice by slice, so the waitress came over and grabbed a hunk and just threw it on the hot stone bowl in front of us. The restaurant was a bit cramped and they were definitely trying to expedite our eating process (which is the only reason for the -1 star)... I felt as if I was in an eating race! BE WARNED!! The meat that comes LOOKS like a gigantic heap, but trust me, it shrinks down when you cook it and it's so thinly sliced (and scrumptious) that you'll eat through the entire pile! 5 of us did order the Chaldo-gui for 4 though... Also BYOB! My favorite food of the night was definitely the scallion pancake. So flavorful, moist, and the dipping sauce (slightly spicy, and I think soy sauce-based) brought another dimension to the already delicious dish! After cooking the beef, they make a "bibimbap-style" rice dish in the stone bowl afterwards, and that was (of course) so yummy as well. Gotta love scraping that stone bowl for the crunchy rice!
(4)Bobo D.
The food was good overall. Not very impressive tho. The cold noodles can be only rated as average, at least compared to the Korean restaurants I have tried in Los Angeles. They are not flavorful as I thought Price could not be beaten though.
(4)Vang N.
My first time here was an excellent experience probably due to the fact that I brought a korean friend and went on a week night so it was less busy. I craved for some kbbq so I came here for my second time. Unfortunately, I should've known better than to come on a busy weekend. I can understand that when it gets really busy, the waitresses forget about you every now and then. My friends never came here before, so I strongly recommended it but left them disappointed and me, embarrassed. My friends and I waited in line for about an hour because we thought it would be worth the experience. When we were seated, no one gave us any water. We had to ask for water 4 TIMES! Even after the side dishes and meat came out, there was still no water! Also, when we asked for a refill on side dishes, the waitress just kept nodding and walked away..but never came back with anything..not even a stop at our table to check on us. We asked for side dishes about 3 times but by the time it came, we were done eating and still waiting on side dishes. We were pretty much ignored throughout the whole dining experience. The only good thing is the food here is great and authentic but the place is so small and disorganized. I would still come here again, just hoping I don't get the same crappy service.
(3)Felicia L.
Everything was very delicious and it helps with Korean friends guiding is through the menu. The BBQ was very tasty along with many side dishes and the rice which you put in the hot plate to fry is a must! Tried their soft tofu soup which is very yummy as well. Be prepare to stand and wait in line as no reservations taken. If Koreans are recommending it you should be sure it's good!
(5)Xi L.
I am not sure why this place is rated so popular. My two visits did not give me enough convince to make a third trip. The first time there I was sitting at bar and have one bimbinba and soup. I would say it's just at par. You can get it in either Del Seoul or Gyu. The second time was yesterday and I went for the beef on stone pan. First, I waited for more than an hour OUTSIDE with freezing wind. Second, the service is really poor. They kind of push to order, push to cook and maybe push for leave then the others can sit and order. I would say that's fine if I enjoy the taste. Again, it is simply at par. Sorry. But my home made BBQ beef with BBQ sauce I bought from hmart is way better than this. Maybe I should open another one nearby. Also, I am not sure why the fried rice at the end could be the so called highlight. It's really again under par. If you can add more spicy sauce, it could be better. But have you tried to make punched egg fried rice with sausage at home? You will know why the fried rice is under par. Overall, I think this one is overrated and I would not go back intentionally.
(3)Brigitta k.
Food is pretty good, but service is so horrible. Walked in and no one greeted or say anything to us, gave us a table and 10 seconds later made us share our table without asking if it was ok. Never again!
(1)Haydar M.
whoever gave this place a rave review either has horrible taste, or is into eating rotten meat that made us feel like we were eating cat/dog. wtf. the place was horrible! horrendous, horrid, horror.. we came here because we felt that san soo gab san was too far to get to. but omg.. the food was so bad (while the side dishes were fine) it was the meat, that just made us squirm for 3 days straight.. bad bad food. if i could give this place 0 stars i would have.. terrible! avoid!
(1)Aaron B.
When we arrived the place was full except for one table. we got lucky and were sat very quickly. This was one of the few highlights of this lunch. Once we were sat it took 10 minutes to get menus and water. We knew very quickly what we wanted and then waited a long time again for her to come back. When she brought our food she knocked my wife's spoon and napkin on the ground. She never came back to replace them. She never came back to fill our waters either. We were missing some of the sides that other tables had but we never had a chance to ask why didn't we get that. The only time a waitress approached our table was when they were rushing us out and she grabbed our plate of thinly sliced meat and dumped it in our stone sauteed pan and said I needed to cook it all at once. I on the other hand was searing small amounts of meat to get a better flavor. Now I had a pot of boiled meat in juices. I guess I was taking to long. When we were ready to pay we waited again so I just got up and approached a man who I think was the owner and paid. oh yea the other highlight was the Korean pancake. Very good!
(2)Glo K.
Koreans have critical eyes and critical taste bubs when they walk into a Korean restaurant. How do I know this? I'm Korean, and I grew up eating endless amount of Korean food because my mom is an awesome cook (shoutout! :P). My parents like to go all out when it comes to Korean food, and we enjoy ordering family style, which I definitely recommend doing in a group setting. Your table can taste a little bit of everything and this is definitely a "must" in a typical Korean family dinner outing. My family and I ordered the cha dol bae gi ($24.95, thinly-sliced brisket cooked over a stone pot), yeolmu naaeng myeon ($7.95, buckwheat noodles in cold beef broth; perfect in the summer), and some spicy tofu (appetizer). On top of the order, we were served a plethora of panchan (small side dishes) which is always free. At the end, the waitress will create kimchee fried rice with your leftover side dishes on the pot you cooked your meat. They leave the rice sit for a bit so the bottom of the rice gets crispy! I love it! Everything was delicious. I loved the social aspect of Korean bbq. Friends and/or family are cooking, eating, and laughing at the table around a communal fire. If you have never tried Korean food, I would recommend trying out Korean bbq first. Cho Sun Ok is definitely worth trying and will make newbies fall in love with Korean food for sure. I'm deducting one star because it's a little pricey compare to many other Korean restaurant, but I would most likely take friends here to eat and impress. Warning: please plan a strategic time to go because it gets very busy there :)
(4)Sam Y.
My favorite korean restaurant in Chicago. Try to avoid peak time. It is a small restaurant and there are people waiting in line all the time.
(5)Jay I.
I think this is as good as it can get in Chicago. Even though they have kinda limited bbq menu, they still have solid lunch/dinner menu. Actually their bbq is cheaper than most other places (25 bucks for 2). The portion is huge for the price, and they also make you fried rice at the end from the pan we used to cook the meat. Authentic korean style... (very common on university village restaurants in korea). I guess there is a reason why this place is popular. I am pretty sure I will be a regular in this place.
(5)Jake M.
This place is ridiculously good. Went for lunch with a couple of coworkers and the place was already filling up around 1145. We had the bul go gi, some bee bim bop and a cold noodle soup that i'm not even going to try to spell. Everything was awesome. Service was fast and not super friendly. None of us are Korean (Guatamalan, Persian and Irish) and while the waitress definitely didn't make small talk, she got the job done and did it quickly. An awesome, super flavorful lunch set us back about $10 a person. I can't wait to eat here again.
(5)Priya S.
4 of us were craving some korean barbecue and landed in Cho Sun OK for dinner. A couple of things, they shut early (10:30 they are showing you their watch and not very politely asking you to leave). Also the kitchen shuts and 10 or even 9:59 as she wouldn't take my tofu soup order at that time. So make sure you come on time as you might have a bit of a wait (we waited around 20 minutes). The place is small, very minimalist with around 10-12 tables. There is no grill top as such, it's more stove tops that are place on your table and you cook on them - that didn't bother me too much. The food itself was tasty, we ordered the dumplings, and the seafood pancake that i really recommend. After that we order the beef bulgogi and the mackerel. We wanted a side of kimchi fried rice but that isn't possible unless you order the regular beef. Luckily my friend insisted and we got the kimchi fried rice with the bulgogi beef - it was probably the best dish of the night! A plus point is that it is BYOB and they don't charge a corkage fee (well we think they don't as we didn't really understand the receipt, it was all in korean!). The quantities are big and we had left overs from what we ordered. It was definitely a fun and tasty experience though not sure if I would go all the way out there for it again.
(3)angela h.
Willing to go back to try other dishes, but knowing full well that I'm going to get crap service. I guess that says a lot about how much abuse I'm willing to take for tasty eats.
(3)Justin B.
The service wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting...and the food was just as good as advertised. We did octopus, and both the marinated & un-marinated bulgogi, all were excellent with all the side dish fixins. And, the kimchi fried rice brought it all home. Spent $24/person with tax and tip, for the amount of food, this is ridiculous. Monday nights were very easy to work with, if you show up just before or after a normal dinner hour, there's no wait at all. BYO!
(5)Paul d.
So let's get the following assumptions out of the way first. 1) The staff will speak little to no English. 2) The service will be minimal and inattentive at best. 2) You will leave there smelling like walking bul-go-gi. Unfortunately, the generalization of Korean restaurant experiences remain intact with this place. The only ambiguous part of the whole ordeal is waiting in line and not knowing if there should be some wait list you should be on. Secondly, I made a joke to my wife that only way to get the attention of the waitresses is to position your head low to the ground since they always seemed to be looking down to avoid any type of eye contact. That being said, I won't base my review on these imperfect logistics. Instead I will base it on the food and I will tell you that the bul-go-gi that we had was the most flavorful bul-go-gi we have ever had at a do it yourself BBQ place in Chicago. Same went with the Jap chae. I cannot say enough about how good the food tasted and it has vaulted this restaurant as my top Korean BBQ joint in the city. (The place has at most 12 tables and is popular so go at off times if you don't want to wait a ridiculously long time.)
(5)Samantha J.
I'm not an expert on Korean food, however I have been to Korea and LOVED the food. I couldn't tell you what we had, other than meat, more meat, a seafood pancake, and the fried rice thing at the end. Everything was wonderful: the food tasted great, it was delivered quick, and the waitresses kindly stepped in when our designated meat flipper was asleep at the wheel (or tongs in this case). It's small and cozy, and BYOB. Be prepared to wait outside if you get there when it's full.
(4)Lu W.
Remember that it will close at 10 p. m, when ever you enter the restaurant. If you want to enjoy the Korean style, just go. But the flavor is not delicious as imagine.
(1)Sean P.
Good food, average service
(4)Dennis T.
No frills Korean BBQ place with a nice environment and feel. The side dishes and main meat entrees were very good. Great value for very good food.
(5)Y B.
COLD RACIST RACIST COLD UNPROFESSIONAL!!!! Food is good but the service is beyond horrible. My husband and decided to eat here this past weekend with our baby girl. After waiting for just water for 30 minutes we noticed that the two other families (which were Korean) that arrived way after we did were served their meals first before we were even just served water. I asked the lady about it and she pretended not to understand me... she called another server over... and told the other women: "THEY ARE NOT KOREAN" in Korean... my husband understood them since he is 100 percent Korean but doesn't look Korean... he said why does that matter. I was completely shocked and taken back by this treatment. COLD COLD COLD Horrible. You get a sense that you are not wanted there from the beginning... of course unless you are Korean.
(1)Marcy M.
How do I even begin this review?! I'm in love with #6!! I will wake up in the middle of the night craving this place. Honestly. I dig it the most! My last visit was on Thanksgiving evening- oh my wow. What a great experience. Sure they are not gushing over you by any means- but truly amazing food. Byo is a plus! I highly highly highly recommend this place!! Recently I spoke to someone who opened my eyes to other options on the menu- reviews to follow!!! :) YUM!
(5)Joonho Y.
Some of the Best Tasting Korean Food in Chicago. It has a very "Down Scale" feel to it that you either think is Charming or Grungy. The Kalbi here is awesome, and you have the option of the Traditional Table Grill or just having it Grilled for you (which I prefer). Staff does not speak English very well, so be prepared for that, but you will still be able to order what you want. It will be Well Worth It!!!
(4)Anne M.
Well, can't say I enjoyed it. . . Decided to try something new, and it didn't quite work out for me. Why? Because I had no idea what I was ordering, what the dishes were that were served to us, what I was tasting, what the two frazzled older ladies running the show were saying to me (those poor ladies need some help!), and on and on... Communication is key - in life and in restaurants - and there was none here. My date and I arrived here on a Wednesday evening, and stood in the warm, heavy with cooking smells/oils, not really a waiting area, waiting area as our table was being prepared. Sat down and were promptly given two glasses of water and two dirty/falling apart menus. No explanation, no hello, no nothing. So, we decided to go with a tofu/bean soup for me, and a beef noodle dish for him. Let's give it a try! Shortly after, one of the women dropped off an assortment of tiny interesting looking side dishes, but didn't explain anything so we had no idea what was what. Then our entrees came with sides of rice, and we had a table full of good looking (mystery) food. My boiling soup (literally, it was boiling) took a while to cool, but smelled delicious. Once I was able to sample it, it was indeed good, and spicy. Thank god for that bowl of rice, because I wouldn't have been able to eat it without the rice to mellow it out. We sampled a few of the side dishes, but didn't care for the flavor of them (personal taste, nothing against the food). *Date ran out of water quickly into dinner (the food is hot!) and flagged down one of the waitresses, she made some comments as she circled our table, while simultaneously ignoring us, and didn't actually fill up the glasses until we asked for our check - better late than never, but geez.... I've been wanting to try this place for a while, b/c it's somewhat close to the pad and b/c of all the good reviews, and I must say, I was disappointed. I know many of the reviews warn of bad service and say "just enjoy the food". I'm sorry, but part of a restaurant's job is providing good customer service (or at least some basic communication!) - it's part of the package, and without that, the entire experience is compromised. Perhaps with a little more guidance from our waitress and some communication, this could have been a much more enjoyable dinner.
(2)FoodLover Z.
Being a huge fan of kalbi, I've been waiting a long time to go to Cho Sun Ok. And the pace didn't disappointed. Great kalbi, served with an array of Korean side dishes. The only gripe I have is that the price of the items on their menu isn't very clear. The kalbi was printed as being 9.95, but my total bill was over 16 bucks without tip. Other than that, this place is great.
(4)John K.
Of course, I am already prepared for the long wait...it turned out to be like 45 minutes...but man...with my frat bros and all the BYOB beer plus some chadolbaegi and marinated pork, oh shit I just had an ecstatic eat here. All of us 7 guys ate just enough that we were not bloated and we got the check...o m g that was super super happy reasonable. I know where I am going to go if I really want great Korean BBQ that is worth the wait
(4)Dax R.
This place is always packed. If you are craving Kalbi, this is the place to go! Also, is it just me or do you get better service when you are here with Korean friends? Food more than makes up for the hit or miss service.
(5)Hannah N.
I'll start by saying I'm super Korean. Like, lived in the motherland for about 12 years kind of FOB Korean. My first food was probably kimchee. This place is known for its Cha-dol-bak-ee (super thin-sliced beef), and more importantly, the fried rice they serve you afterwards. 1) No such thing as getting your name down and being called when a seat opens up. Get in line with everyone else. There is absolutely no organizational system to the seating, purely first-come first-serve. 2 people could get seated awkwardly at the round 6-top (this puts you at an interesting dilemma of where to sit based on your relationship: 60 degrees is too close but 180 degrees is too far). 6 people could be crammed into the 4-top. May the odds be ever in your favor. 2) I'm okay with rude service in traditional Korean restaurants. This place has that in abundance and a half - super rude and slow service. Get prepared for dishes to be thrown at your table by nonchalant stone-faced servers. Get prepared to feel as ignored as a white crayon unless you basically yell out for things that you want. Just be patient and prepare to ask for things several times (and I mean SEVERAL) and you'll eventually get what you need/want. Actually, ask for things to be refilled in anticipation of them running out before they actually run out since odds are you'll have to ask them again anyways. 3) I like to cook my own meat. Sometimes the server ladies just throw you the plate of meat and never return, so you have to be comfortable with starting the process on your own. Although... Sometimes they are more attentive if you look like you don't speak Korean. 4) If you want the cold noodles (which are pretty darn good), you can't do it the traditional Korean way and try to order it as a dessert after your massive meat meal or the servers will look at you like you are insane and refuse to serve you because they really want to get the tables moving. You must plan ahead accordingly and order it with your meat. 5) I like to think that I know my Korean BBQ, and taste-wise, this place is pretty good. The Cha-dol-bak-ee is like beef bacon. I mean, the meat itself is probably placed nebulously between average to above average (it's frozen in order to shave it so thin). However fried rice after meal is what makes this place the winner ALL THE TIME. You won't get fried rice for any other kind of marinated BBQ item (a.k.a kalbi or bulgogi), it only comes with the Cha-dol-bak-ee and maybe a couple other non-marinated meats. Make sure to leave a bit of the meat, because you can mix it into your fried rice. The best way to facilitate this is to demand for the fried rice immediately prior to or after you place the last batch of meat on the cooking stone. Make sure you have some of the soy-pickled onions leftover, that onion-infused soy sauce is pure gold in the fried rice. Add some of your sesame oil to the rice after it's done cooking (that's the golden dipping sauce they gave you for your meat) for that extra special something. 6) BYOS. Bring your own soju. It'll help you to forget about the service. 7) I usually just walk up to the register to pay. Waiting for your check will take an extra 15-20 minutes... Unless you were still sitting and enjoying your soju and wanted the extra time to chill. 8) Take home your leftover fried rice. It's pretty glorious with an over-easy egg on top the next day.
(4)Winnie T.
Really good food with a good portion for the price. You definitely have to be more patient with the servers though. It takes them a while to get to you but even then, they tend to forget and you have to ask multiple times/multiple people
(4)Patrick L.
Wow. This place makes the BEST bulgogi I have ever had. EVER. My date and I enjoyed it so much, that we ordered another round. Who orders another round OF BEEF?! This bulgogi wasn't some mishmash, shredded beef soaked in sauce that I'm used to receiving at every Korean restaurant. No, this was big slices of beef. If you can imagine if a steak was put through the thickest setting on a deli slicer, you get the idea of the size of beef slices you get. Hallelujah! We ordered the non-cook-at-your-table portion, so they cooked these beef slices in a broiler in the corner of the whole dining area, which I thought was interesting. But when you get it and bite into it, you can see it's very tender and well marinated. You can tell it's quality beef they're using -- it wasn't tough, nor did it have any chewy bits. 3 stars, because I've had better Kimchi Jigae elsewhere -- poor amount of pork, but the tofu and kimchi were good. Also, service was meh -- they need more servers. Throughout our dining experience, we were at a lack of water at all times, and even if they filled it, they only filled it halfway, as if they were rationing it. Also, I don't think they completely listen to you, because sometimes when we tried to order specific encores of panchan, they brought everything else but the ones we wanted.
(3)Hang T.
Meh . . . That was my experience at this restaurant. Yelp led me in the wrong direction for the second time during my vacation. I went to this restaurant hoping to experience good Chicago Korean food. Boy, was I disappointed. We ordered the bulgogi, pork fried rice, and kimchi tofu soup. Everything, including the ban chan, was meh, or average. I'm used to bulgogi that is thinly sliced, but this wasn't which made it hard to eat and the only flavor you could taste was in the fat. The actual meat didn't taste like anything. Same goes for the fried rice. Whoever said the fried rice was good was totally off. Bland and worse than a Chinese take-out place. I think the kimchi soup was probably the best, but not by that much. I liked it, but it wasn't the best I've ever tasted. The service was off because it was so crowded that day and there were only two people working. I would skip this place altogether.
(2)LeTran B.
The spicy pork was okay, not excellent. The bulgoki was whatever. It was lacking flavors and all I could taste was how sweet it was. It tasted like the meat was only marinated in sugar. The banchan were OK, too. Nothing stood out for me. The service was cold but that was expected. We came in when it wasn't busy at all and there were 4 Korean aunties hanging near the kitchen. However, the whole time we were there, no one stopped by to fill our water or to check if we need more banchan. Phooey.
(3)Bekah M.
Delicious flavorful Korean BBQ! You must eat the dui jui gue!! I also love the pajeon! So good mmm! The servers here are quite cold but it's kind of hilarious. Also, byob! Hooray!
(5)Victoria W.
This review is ONLY on the service and environment at this restaurant. My friend and I are foodies. I just moved to Chicago 6 months ago and want to try out all the different villages ethnic places in town. My friend suggested we go try out this place, she had never been but her friend who is Korean said this place is good. We NEVER made it inside this restaurant. And I don't EVER plan on going inside. In below freezing weather, at 2:30PM on a Saturday afternoon, there was a line, it was outside of their door. Ok that is fine but can I at least go inside and see how long the wait time is? Once I opened the door some shameless Korean woman gave me a snare and said "Can you close the door?". This was BEYOND rude, inconsiderate and selfish. This is NOT her restaurant, no one else said anything, and I am just like her, a customer here and I have as much right as her. I am not hurting her in any way, but she was just being selfish, doesn't care if there were people standing outside freezing but could not talk to anyone who actually works at the restaurant. After that incident, I have NO DESIRE to eat there. This tells me that is the kind of people who come and eat here and likely a reflection of the service at this restaurant because likely only rude people would not be bothered by rude service. Reading from the reviews on this page, it seems like the service inside is just as rude as the people. I have more respect for myself than bother being here. This is beyond a Korean culture thing. I have been to many ethnic restaurants, including Asian, and pure disrespect to customers is just NOT acceptable.
(1)Claudette B.
Cute place, nice location. Food good, but not a top notch K bbq experience. The un marinated beef and octo was good and so were the sides - solid, but not stellar for the price.
(3)Erin E.
i think it's about time for this update, seeing as i crave this stuff and have been here several times since my last review. the food is truly amazing. bulgogi, bibimbop, beansprouts... they got all my 'b' needs covered. but don't just get the bulgogi-- my favorite is actually the #1- unmarinated beef. oh my god, i just ate it yesterday but writing about it makes me drool. srsly. what has changed for me is that i have learned how to not let the service stress me out. and to come prepared. once, we brought our own wine opener and even plastic cups-- cuz i was gonna be damned if i went thirsty during the meal (see my last review)-- but didn't end up needing either- the waitress actually brought both without us asking. incredible. i try to sit back, relax, and have patience... trusting that they will eventually take care of us. and they always do. not even close to service with a smile, but service none-the-less.
(4)Peter W.
Good food, very casual atmosphere a bit tight on accomodations Street parking is spartan, but not difficult I've averaged about a 15 minute wait for a table
(4)kelly a.
Love this local BYOB spot. They have tables with woks built into them so they can serve dishes that cook in front of you. The ladies who work there can be a bit pushy, but just kick back and enjoy the bibimbap (the hot plate is much better than the cold).
(3)Wenbo M.
Food is OK. But the service is the worst one I've ever meet. Will not come back again!
(1)Eric F.
I have written about so many Korean restaurants in Los Angeles that I am a bit stumped as to how to proceed with this well established Chicago based Korean BBQ place. First off, Chicago's Korean community is much smaller than LA's. This means less competition, and harder to get ingredients. So of course Chicago;s prices will be higher, and the chance of coming across an all you can eat place is far less. So all I can focus on is the quality of the food in the environment of Chicago's Korean population. That said, the food here was really good, although each order cost a lot and it was difficult to get a variety as I do in LA. Unlike in Los Angeles, where you order a small portion of about six different meats... at Cho Sun Ok you order on one or two meats, but you get a lot of each. I saw many couples splitting one huge pile of BulGoGi, and having the time of their lives. I also saw entire Korean families of ten ordering three or four dishes plus a stew and a pancake, and they were having great fun too. It is a different mind set in Chi... more like a big meal, rather than a huge feats. However, my favorite thing about the Korean BBQ is not the meat, it is the Banchan (the little dished of pickled and cured vegetables and fish). And at Cho Sun Ok, they bring out a hell of a lot more Banchan than any place I go to in LA. I know a numer of Chicagoans that swear by this place as the best Korean in town. I have to admit... after trying out a few places in Chicago... Cho Sun Ok was and is the best.
(4)Sabrina C.
I love the place even though it's a small space and there is usually a long wait. The korean bbq is so good. Always get the chadolbaegi there. Near the end of the meal, the waitress even gave us rice to cook in there to make fried rice. And we also had the nakji bokkum (octopus) which was soooo good. And mid way through, they also gave us noodles to stir and cook with it. Sometimes, I wasn't great at cooking the food so the waitress at one point swung by and helped us out.
(5)Leslie Y.
4 stars only because of the wait and lack of service. We got there at around 7:30, and had to wait for about an hour. However, FOOD IS AMAZING. To be honest, everyone here did get the seafood pancake, but I have had far better, so I wouldn't spend money on it. It didn't have enough seafood. We got the #1 beef - thin sliced non-marinated beef. Very delicious, and enough for 2! and at the end when they add the rice, well, this ended up being another meal for me and my fiance. PS, I am not Korean, so I can't speak to the service being better or worse if you are Korean, but I really wanted some water, and my chopsticks broke halfway through the meal and let's just say I never got water, but after telling the waitress twice I needed a new pair of chopsticks, they came. Come here for the BBQ, but don't expect good service and you will be delighted. Parking is fine, we found street parking for free. Also, what a random place for a Korean restaurant to be!
(4)Rana K.
CAN I GIVE THIS PLACE ZERO STARS??? I live in the neighborhood and always see a line here. We ventured in and had the single worst dining experience ever! Despite one-third of the tables being seated, we sat for a solid 10 minutes before anyone came to take our order. The server wasn't nice, friendly or helpful. We got the ChaDol Gui which I have read here to be "amazing." We were there with our 8 year old daughter and asked for her to get a side of rice - which the server said was not available or on the menu. I asked for plain noodles, she said no, but suggested a dish - JapChae as plain noodles were unavailable. After I saw another table with plain rice I asked again - the server seemed annoyed, but then finally brought a side of plain rice to the table. (note I saw another table get plain noodles a few minutes later which were unavailable as she was clearly trying to upsell me on dishes since she said "oh you're ordering a dish for two" when we got the ChaDol. Fast forward to a totally inedible, blackened crisp ChaDol Gui. - it was BURNT to a black crisp in front of us as absolutely nobody paid any attention to our table. The server said "oh look, it's crispy" and smiled and served it to us as if she had specially cooked it that way. We nicely asked for our check, said we needed to leave .. frankly,.so we could eat a meal somewhere that serves edible food and pays attention to their customers. No apologies, No sorry for zero attention. Rude waitstaff. AWFUL, inedible $40 burnt meal...everything else tasted ho-hum. It's a miracle this place is open. Why on earth would anyone wait in line here? Shocked.
(1)Ruxin H.
Best korean bbq ever (well not as good as the one in korea but you know what I meant) I have been here several times. Usually lunch time has a shorter line, even on weekends. During dinner time, the line can easily go far beyond the door front, with 1-2 hr wait. They have roughly 6 tables here, mostly large tables, so it is good for a big group. I usually get the bulgogi and #6. With #6, which is not marinated, they will make a kimchi fried rice on the pan when you finish grilling the meat. The bulgogi, on the other hand, is so well marinated. Sadly, they wont give you kimchi fried rice with that. I've also tried their soon do bu (tofu soup) and seafood pancake. I think the seafood pancake is a OK, but the soon doo bu was good. But usually I will just come here for the bulgogi and #6 And they have a million free small side dishes (not as good as the ones in NYC korean town where they gave you a fish, but side dishes are not the most important thing here)
(5)april w.
Small authentic Korean restaurant. 3 of my friends and u came around 7:30pm on a Thursday night and waited in line for about 30 minutes. We ordered Korean BBQ (kalbi and bulgolgi), and I really liked the kalbi! Great flavor and tenderness! The pan chan (free appetizer dishes: kimchi, potatoes, seaweed, bean sprouts, pickled cabbage, etc) were great as well. They were good about restocking the pan chan when we ran out of something. And at the end of your meal, they mix all the leftover panchan and some rice to make fried rice in front of you! Great service - services were more comfortable with Korean so be sure to grab a Korean friend with you! This place is also byob and there's a jewel really close by! Everyone who eats here will walk out smelling like Korean BBQ (good or bad is your judgement). I personally like the smell. A great plus for this place is that there are plenty of free, metered, and bike parking along the street! Oh and compared to other Korean BBQ places like woori village and San soo gab sun, I like woori and San soo better cause they're bigger (shorter line) and their marinated meats taste better to me.
(4)Sunny C.
Loved the Korean bbq here. The rice was amazing and the service was excellent!
(5)Yanyao N.
Stopped in for a little Korean food fix for lunch on a weekday. The place started to fill up with various Asians, Korean ladies who lunch at drink Blue Moon, and a few smatterings of non-Koreans. The service is not too hospitable - so unless you flag someone down, you may end up sitting there for a while all confused. I ordered the seafood pancake, which was bland, and the hot and spicy squid, which was spicy and hot and pretty delicious, except I think the dish was 75% sliced onion. Ample banchan was brought out. I did sort of satiate my Korean food craving, but will probably end up ordering food delivered for places further north next time. I definitely won't be lining up on a weekend to eat here again. I think it would be wise to bring a Korean person with you if you ate here.
(3)Christine C.
as all the yelpers mentioned, service was terrible. even though I expected it, I was still surprised how bad it was! they weren't busy since I went midday (3pm) and the servers didn't say one word to me... they walk up to you in silence which meant "what would you like to order"... they didn't even say bye when i left. rude. food was nothing special. got the fried mandoo which was good bc anything fried is delicious... it didn't look homemade. I also got mulnengmyun which was good enough for a hot summer day. the only thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the quantity of the mandoo for only four bucks! that's why they get two stars rather than one.
(2)Meghan B.
So. Much. Food. If you're looking for authentic Korean BBQ, look no further. Keep in mind, this is a no frills, no nonsense place. Inside it is small and there is almost always a long line outside, but it's worth the wait. Waitstaff comes by sparingly, so don't expect 5 star service. The fact that it's BYOB is amazing - our bill was around $40 for a party of 3. We split: Gun Mandu (pan fried dumplings), ChaDol-Gui (marinated beef that we cook tableside) and JapChae (stir-fried noodles with veggies and beef). + rice and all of the sides they give you. Amazing - and more than enough food for the table. Highly recommend!!
(4)Dave D.
I really like Korean BBQ, but after coming to Cho Sun Ok, I feel like this is the first time I've truly had fantastic Korean BBQ. My husband and I came here with a friend of his and his girlfriend. We were thinking about hitting up a place in the suburbs but they didn't do the BBQ at the table that day. So we made our trek into the city on a Monday evening. First note is that this place is very small and there was a line out the door to wait for a table. So this isn't going to be a quick in and out dinner. After about 30 minutes or so, we got a table. I felt like our experience was probably better because a member of our party was Korean and could speak to the waitress efficiently and ask questions. She ordered all of the food for us and I trusted we'd be getting good stuff. First up was all of the different kimchi, and they were really good. I think my favorite was a potato dish. Then came the seafood pancake. I should note, I'm not much of a seafood person. I was also especially hesitant when I heard there was octopus in the pancake. But hey, I'll try anything once. If I hated it, I could coat my mouth with more delicious kimchi. But surprisingly, I loved the pancake. Whatever they're doing is really great and I could eat the whole gigantic thing myself. Next up were the meats. We got the unseasoned beef and the bulgogi. Two options for the meats were to either add green onions and a spicy concoction, or you could dip them in this sesame oil that had salt and pepper in it. I prefered the sesame oil. The meat was lightly seasoned and the sesame oil made it taste crazy delicious. I definitely need to try this new technique at home. Then, when we were all about to burst from being too full, the waitress came by and put all of the leftover kimchi and other items into the BBQ and added rice to make a kimchi fried rice. It was amazing. I especially loved the burnt parts on the edges. I even had some fried rice to take home with me. All in all, the food was over the top fantastic. We will definitely be back at some point when we know we aren't in any hurry and I'll probably end up ordering the same exact thing we got last time because it was so good.
(5)Soyol-erdene U.
Have no idea about the food because they wouldn't serve us. We got there at 9:40 and the lady forced us to order right away before we even sit down. She said "Everybody leave at 10:30". She was very rude!
(1)Se Won P.
We got two orders of chadol (thin slices of beef). The food was actually pretty decent, which might explain why this place is popular and has a line on weekends. The reason for my one star is purely due to service. Its that bad. As soon as we got seated, we ordered what we wanted since we wanted to be considerate and eat fast so that they could serve other customers waiting in line. What we got in return was the server lady coming to our table, tossing half the meat on the grill and hurrying us to eat quickly. Most of the meat ended up being burnt due to our inability to eat at the pace that was being forced upon us. When i asked our server to slow down, she frowned at us, came back not even thirty seconds later and tossed the remainder on the grill. Terrible experience.
(1)Tony F.
This is a great run of the mill Korean BBQ joint in the Chicago north area. Much of their menu is the same as any other place frequented. The best part is byob! Bonus!
(4)Kathryn S.
Favorite Korean in the Chicago! I'm Korean (don't speak, but know what to order:) ) and ChaDol Gui with the kimchee fried rice and Yuk Gae Jang soup are my favorite.
(5)Abrar A.
We arrived around 7:10pm and there was a line out the door that extended inside. The people in front of us told us it was worth the wait and it usually isn't bad before 5pm. We were seated around 8:15 and started eating around 8:30pm. There was a sign at the door that said B.Y. O. B so some people brought their beer with them and started drinking in the line It was the longest wait ever and part of it in the cold but we loved the food! I don't regret it, I'm so glad I had my jacket with me.
(5)Ivy Z.
Don't come here for service. I also don't think that this place is a good one for first-timers unless you are outnumbered in your party by people who are old hats at Korean BBQing. Furthermore, the seating order here is very weird. If you're Korean or obviously white, you will definitely be seated first. Others, nope. I came here with my friends and a Korean American who can speak haltingly okay Korean. The ladies were not impressed with us. Lol~ I felt that the side dishes were very good, but also not enough. There was sufficient meat for each meat order. I liked the fried rice at the end. This is definitely a place where they would prefer you to order all in one go, so don't do what we did and order another dish at the end. Would I come back? Maybe.... It was a good experience.
(3)Sarah Y.
KBBQ and Chosunok are synonymous, which is why this place is always packed. All things aside, the KBBQ meat is good, and I've only ever gotten the thin beef slices. But I've had thinner, tastier, and better elsewhere, including at Gogi. But it's cheaper in comparison, so we find ourselves here frequently. Come dine before 6 pm to stand a chance of being seated without a long wait.
(4)Susan C.
I went here my first time with a bunch of people and the food was good that we order. I always love the little side dishes they have. The waitress is not that good in English because she didn't understand we wanted separate checks. It's good to have cash to pay for your meal since it's a bunch of people. Overall the service was good. I would definitely go back when I get a chance.
(3)Angie M.
I'm no stranger to KBBQ. This is a different kind of jam. If you're expecting to cook your meat on a grill top, prepare to be disappointed. You get your meat and a big pan that's placed on a stovetop on the tables. The servers dump it all in at once. Since it's a pretty good amount of meat, it kind of steams instead of crisps, which sucks. Also, we only cooked our beef on the table. The pork came already prepared. Isn't part of the fun of KBBQ cooking the meat yourself??? Service is insanely horrible for white people. I'm sorry if that's off-color, but the tradition of KBBQ providing shitty service for non-Koreans seems to hold true at Cho Sun OK. The restaurant is really small, too, and doesn't take reservations. So enter at your own risk. Most of the tables also have bar stool chairs, which can be uncomfortable for a long meal. Would I go back? Yeah, sure. If I was in the area. But I really like open grills rather than the stovetop pan.
(3)Glenn O.
The food is fine, but I have never been so neglected in my life. My son and I went in early, hoping to beat the crowd that usually forms outside since it's so small in there. Waited literally 20 minutes before anyone gave us a menu and another 10 before we ordered. Meanwhile, the table next to us that came in after us was already eating their cooked food. Cho Sun Ok can kiss my ass. Horrible, horrible service, and the server couldn't have cared less apparently, not that she could converse in English. I won't be back.
(2)Customer I.
Food is OK. Service, as others have noticed, not so good. I usually come here with my parents and service is fine (not GREAT), but tolerable. This time I went with my younger siblings and Grandma for lunch. Waitress was ridiculously rude from the moment we entered to the moment we left (pushing my siblings out of the way to get to the register, throwing our utensils at us, giving total attitude when my sister went to help my Grandma pay..) The waitress even had the audacity to "remind" us to tip at the end of it all. All of us left absolutely disgusted. We are NOT returning.
(1)Anne K.
I've been to my fair share of Korean restaurants in Chicago and have yet to find my go-to. I think I've been spoiled by all the yummy good Korean food in LA and Korea. Anyways, I've been here twice now but the first time was years ago. I was excited to try it again. When we got there it was packed! We had to wait awkwardly in the corner inside. Upon seating, we were not even given menus. They just assumed we knew what we wanted! We ended up ordering the chadol and dwenjang jigae. The jigae was just OK. My friend complained that it smelled bad. I think he thought that because It had some chungook dwenjang (smellier bean paste) in it. The chadol portion was generous and the quality of the beef was very very good. The side dishes were good as well. The service was pretty bad. The ahjoomas that work there look like they hate their work place. They can come off as a little rude. It wouldn't hurt to smile a little. If I am craving Korean BBQ, I might come back.
(3)Grace L.
Went there few weeks ago with a group of friends. Always heard about this place as traditional Korean BBQ place and finally got to check it out. The food is good, but if you do the bbq, better take care of ur clothes cuz it can get really smoky. The service was not as bad as some viewers said, but i can tell how busy they were and how very likely you might get ignored once a while. In general not too bad. One tip: we had a little trouble figuring our bills in the end, cuz they put everything together, so better remember the price u order next time just in case.
(3)Cathy K.
Way understaffed, service was terrible. Food was disappointing, I don't know why this place is rated so high. Small, and every time someone opened the door , it was freezing.
(2)Lina W.
My favorite Korean restaurant in the city. Why? A ton of meat/food for only $24.95 before tax/tip per couple if you order the cha dol bae gi. Also BYOB! The service is very speedy and may appear rude to Westerners. The servers might seem like they're rushing you when they stir and serve the food in your stone pot for you because they want to help you cook properly. The only downside is that it is too crowded every time I go there and I have to wait a good 20 minutes before i can get a seat. Parties of 5 or more will have difficulty getting a table in under 1 hour on busy nights.
(5)Laila C.
delicious but I felt like a little child after being scolded by a strict parent. So for all you non-Koreans out there, here's a TIP. ONLY THE #3 AND #6 COME WITH THE FRIED RICE AFTER YOU FINISH EATING! Don't make the same mistake as us and order a #5 then ask them to make the rice. They sure did set us straight! Also I was confused by this place because all I wanted was grilled meats for lettuce wraps and I didn't know which one that was on the menu. ANNND they threw away the rest of our food when we wanted to take it home. All in all, exactly as the yelpers described it and delicious!
(3)David M.
Everything is delicious, but not as filling as I was hoping for. The marinated beef/octopus was excellent.
(4)Thor V.
The wait to get in the door was more than half an hour. They don't accept reservations either. I had read the other user reviews, but didn't believe the service would be THAT bad! The waitress was trying to change our order for us and kept confusing us. She had absolutely no manners when trying to put the side dishes on the table. She would basically shove her way in and say something mean. We were confused about the meat when it came out. We ordered four plates of raw beef and only received one. Apparently it's not like other korean bbq joints where you cook the meat a little at a time. She came and just dumped our whole plate on the grill. We also did not receive any rice to go with our meal. We did ask for it, but they only brought a few for our party of ten. At the end, she came and dumped some things into out leftover meat even though we weren't finished. It was supposed to be fried rice. She walked away and told us not to touch it. Ten minutes later we smelled burning so we tried to turn the stove off and stir the rice. She came back and snatched the stirring spoon and started stirring it while not caring where the rice was flying. Some hot rice even hot one of our group members, but the waitress offered no apology. We also noticed that the white customers were being tended to and got everything they asked for and more! (We are non-korean Asians) The food was good, but it does not make up for the cramped atmosphere and the rudeness/bitchiness of the service. I will never go back!
(1)Rachelle B.
We went out for dinner with friends of ours at Cho Sun Ok, a Korean barbecue restaurant. One of the friends is Korean speaks fluent Korean. This friend ordered all of our food for us. We had a ton of Banchan, kimchi stew, and a super delicious pajeon (scallion and egg pancake). For our main entree we barbecued slices of beef on the grill in the center of our table. Everything was really delicious, even if I don't know what it all was! Our friend basically just rattled off a bunch of Korean words and food kept coming and coming to the table. At the end the waitress took all of our leftovers and dumped it in the grill, then dumped rice on top of it and let it get all toasty. Then stirred it up to make the best fried rice ever!
(4)Oksana D.
Waited in line for about half an hour and it was totally worth it!!! Loved the stove top cooking and the variety of small kimchi plates that came with it. For two people we got one stove top dish with beef and octopus and it was more than enough. The waiters help you cook your food, so no need to worry if you're new to Korean BBQ. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Eugenie Y.
The foods are ok. But the environment is not clean and sitting area is not comfortable. The services are bad. Maybe they are just too busy.
(3)Jenn C.
Living in the East and West Coast for so long, I don't find Korean food out here in Illinois to be very good, however Ban Po Jung is decent. Almost everything on the menu is tasty, but its the BBQ that is to be ordered here. A good selection of banchan (side dishes) and most importantly the banchan tastes good. The indicator of good banchan usually will tell you if the food will be good or not. IMO. This is our go to Korean restaurant when we are in the city.
(4)Stephanie H.
I like this Korean BBQ in particular because it's BYOB. Nothing like being able to bring in whatever beer you want to drink with your food instead of overpaying for their beers. We were able to get a big group in on a Sunday night, although it was a bit crowded and people kept bumping into my chair. As others have said though, the staff isn't exactly the friendliest. As for the food, you get the side dishes (like in any Korean BBQ place), the seafood pancake was good, the bulgogi and kalbi were decent, but the cha dol bae gi was simply delicious!! I would go back for that alone. They also make fried rice out of your leftovers at the end, but I was too full at that point to eat any more. I would say this is a good deal for your money, especially being able to bring in your own drinks.
(4)Chad V.
A-Ok. I took my family here for an authentic Korean experience, however we didn't get many sides, had our meat cooked for us and had to ask for dwen-jahng, garlic and greens... Maybe it was racism on their part but YES I'M WHITE AND YES I WANT MY DWEN-JAHNG! The food was okay, I should probably check it out again as it has great reviews.
(3)Erin C.
Been here a gazillion times since the first visit and food quality is consistent and delicious and so cheap for what you get. Cheaper than lots of places in Seoul. Chosunok is my happy place in Chicago. There are lots of complaints about service in the reviews, but this place isn't for people wanting to get coddled--the reason they can accommodate their long crowds, provide quality comfort Korean food, and keep their prices low is because the servers are quick and efficient. Considering that they are flipping meat, bringing you water and a dozen ban chan dishes (and refills), I have no complaints that they're not smiling and making conversation. If you are unfamiliar with Korean food and how it works, the lack of guidance might be offputting. But its worth it! Order the cha-dol-bae-gi and eat it with grilled garlic, kimchi, and any combination of the side dishes.
(5)Hauwei L.
Authentic, tasty, Korean food, BBQ as well as stews and other dishes. Sometimes a long wait thanks to recent exposure to mainstream audiences via Check Please or other media.
(5)V C.
Great korean bbq place. It's a tiny space but cosy and comfortable with all-wood decor. I went w koreans so I didn't have to interact with the staff but they seemed more comfy with korean than english. Overall, very good.
(4)Steven K.
This restaurant is one fo the better Korean BBQ houses in Chicago. The food is great and the staff does their best to take care of you. The only downfall is the size of the dining room. It is very small and the wait to get a table is usually a bit long. This is ideal for a small group of 4 or less, but if you have a larger group than that, be prepared to wait a long time for a table. The wait is well worth it though...
(4)Dilip J.
the food is really good, and I thought the staff was pretty helpful.
(4)Lulu R.
Kimchi madness! Do you like an over abundance of sliced meats? Yes? Then Cho Sun Ok is where you need to be. We came here and the line was out the door but my man friend (lol) and his friends assured me that it was worth the wait. Small little place with about 7 booths and 5 tables. All very close in proximity to each other. There is a stovetop on each table for tableside cooking. There is something about tableside cooking that forms a bond...i can't even explain it. All the cooking meats and dish smells wafted together. Fairly loud but it takes getting used to. BYOB and Half acre across the street? DANGEROUS or GENIOUS? We had the thinly sliced meat that looked similar to spam that we cooked ourselves. We also had the Kalbi that they cooked themselves in a broiler up in the front of the restaurant. We had the Pajun (korean seafood green onion pancakes) that came with a special soy sauce mixture with sesame seeds. Our meal came with all these tiny dishes like: kimchi, bean sprouts, rashishes, sliced fishcake, onions, potato salad, seaweed, rice cake, noodles, anchovies, etc. At the end of our meal we had all this extra bits of flavor at the bottom of our pan that was left over and then our waitress put all our left over kimchi, beanspouts, green onions in the pan along with some white rice. WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN that leftovers would make an awesome kimchi fried rice on that little stovetop? It was really good. The prices are and consistent to the neighborhood. Parking is plentiful. So why the three star review, Lu? Well, the service was bad. Real bad. -3 waitresses for this whole retaurant. -They treat you like they are doing a public service and not making any profit from this. -Guy at the counter...posibly the owner? Does he ever walk around and do anything? -Asked the waitress 3 times for some water. The final time shes walking around the whole restaurant with this pitcher of water shaking it around to see who needs it...but totally doesnt look at us. at all. Just passed us by. -No smiles...no thank yous...nothing If this joint improves the service, 4-5 review...easy. 'Til then deal with that. folks. I will give this place another try and I expect nothing less than fair service.
(3)Arlene G.
it was crazy crowded in this place on a sunday evening. really long wait but food is worth it. there were 6 of us & we all seemed to enjoy our food. 2 of us agree though that it seemed to have tasted better in the past but it was still good.
(4)Kristine N.
Gooooooooood food, BYOB with no corkage fees, small restaurant but service is quick and efficient.
(5)Nhan P.
I think this place was just average. Service was quick, but they were stingy on the water. The waitress gave us half-filled cups of water and when we asked for more later on, she tried to give us half a cup again. The bathroom is a bit scary--you have to walk through the kitchen--I wasn't sure I wanted to see that before my meal. The condiments were yummy and the short ribs were my favorite. I expected the bulgogi to be grilled; they used a heavy caste iron pan. The waitress dumped all of the meat and marinade in the pan and the meat ended up steaming in the liquid. I wanted Korean BBQ not Korean steamed beef. I heard great things about the seafood pancake, but it was quite a disappointment. The squid was tiny and the pancake was extra soggy and greasy. I've had better.
(3)h h.
Cho Sun Ok roughly translates to 'pants splitting yum yum" in German. Huh? never mind. Anyways Cho Sun Ok: Great Korean comfort food. I went with a friend a few times and the average bill came onto be about 50 dollars. (including the tip) Normally....this is my game plan I order the Chadolbaegi (sp?) which is thinly sliced meat that has NOT been marinated. That's OK though! Because they include a saucer that is filled with a delicious dipping sauce that is made up of salt and sesame oil. It is so so good! Fried Dumplings- Nice and crisp on the outside, filled with good stuff on the inside. Some kind of spicy soup And then after we are done with all that food they take all the small dishes on the table (like tapas) and dump it into the frying pan with rice. After adding some butter to it, they cook it up into spicy fried rice. Yea. Sounds good right? It is good. Its really wonderful. A++ all the way. I'm going to be real with everyone for a second and tell you that the service is not the best. I was born and raised in Chicago, but my parents are from Korea. So to most of you....that makes me Korean anyways. I like to refer to myself as "American" though. Whatever. I don't care. I have seen a lot of the reviews here saying that you have to be Korean in order to get good service at Cho Sun Ok. I here to tell you that is not the case. A" Korean" such as myself gets treated poorly too. And I speak pretty decent Korean!! (crosses fingers in back) My favorite bad customer service experiences are when you ask them for a glass of water, and then you never see them again. lol. Hilarious! Just grin and bare it. Because the food is great!!!! While your "grinning and baring it" keep in mind that even though the service is spotty, at least they aren't yelling at you or screaming at you. Thinking those thoughts normally makes me feel better too. While your chewing on the gospel of Simon, Remember! You are at a Korean restaurant !!! and.... well...I'll let you draw out your own conclusions as to their track record of customer service. It's really over the top good...or pretty down and dirttayyy. Its about reasonable expectations my little love nuggets!
(5)Melanie S.
Real deal Korean food. My friend and I ordered the bulgogi for two table-top dining, which comes with steamed rice, great kimchee and side dishes. I expected to be able to cook it over an open flame on a grill, not in a pot, so the meat ended up being steamed rather than seared, so I was a little disappointed. The flavor was quite good, and priced at $24.95, it was a huge amount of food for two people, so it was a great value. Our server literally did not utter one word to us. Like literally, not one single word. Nor was any eye contact made. It was kind of funny actually. The food speaks for itself. This place is small and gets crowded. Go early to avoid a long wait. You will end up leaving here smelling like meat, but some may enjoy that. Just sayin'. 3.5 stars.
(3)Bonnie A.
This is a very authentic korean restaurant where almost every table would order the same thing..,because it's good, of course! I had a friend who tried to order what other people ordered over and over again and he got it wrong every time. This time he was smart, he asked a customer what he ordered and the guy said, "Get the 'cha dol bae gi'! It's really good!" So now we know what everyone orders...mystery solved. The food was decent. I wish they had more banchan (side dishes); they didn't have that much of a variety. It is definitely a place I would stop every once in awhile. Service was really bad but it's okay. I didn't come here for the service but the food.
(3)Danny K.
This place just reeks of my childhood. The oldest and reportedly first Korean restaurant of Chicago according to my grandma who is now 91 years young! What use to be a wonderful hole in the wall, somewhat hidden gem of my youth, is now like a weird hybrid of the old days mixed with a wait like hot doug's! Be prepared to wait for a table and order promptly folks! Ordering here however, is super simple. chadolbaegi. And if you're really hungry, you get chadolbaegi and get one mul naengmyun for every two people. Done. I think it's the best thing they do, and they do it exceptionally well. The naengmyun is also just good enough though definitely not as good as da rae jung. Still, I kinda wish it was like the old days when I could bring my grandma and she'd talk to the owners. Where as today it's more crowded and the ever staring eyes of said crowd are using "the force" to get you to eat faster and leave. Ah yelp, I love and hate you all at the same time... Definitely worthy of the calories. And though I may wax poetic about the past, this place is still one of the best Korean restaurants in Chicago.
(4)ChrisWinnie M.
More pronounced like "jus an ok restaurant." I used to eat here a lot and even brought my girlfriend here for our first date, but I must say that despite the tasty food, the service is getting worse and worse. Anyways if you're a fan of Korean BBQ, defntiteky try this place as the food here is pretty good, but be prepared to expierence a possible oil shower. We ordered bulgogi and wanted to cook it ourselves but the waitress insisted and splashed the he'll out of my arm and nearly got me in my eyeball....good thing I backed away! All in all the food is pretty good here but like i said, the service can be way better since we felt rushed.
(3)Alisa M.
Wow... I'm at a loss of words for this place. The food would have to be about a 3.5 star. The service, not even worth 1 star. We decided to go and try this place since I've never been to it and the bf hadn't gone in a really long time. When we arrived, the place was pretty empty and the service started off ok. They only have 1 washroom and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. I walked through the doors and one of the workers in the kitchen just pointed to the back room. The bathroom was dirty and I didn't like the fact that you walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Makes me wonder how sanitary the food is...... The other Koreans in the restaurant seemed to be serviced very well. After reading the other reviews, it looks like if you're Korean, you also get extra stuff with the meal as well (like the kimchi fried rice).... which looked very good but we were never offered it. As a matter of fact, when I asked for more ice tea (I think it's an iced brown rice green tea or something), the waitress said, "No, you only get one glass, only water after). Seriously? I would have even paid for it if there was a charge, but again, not given that option. And how much could giving customers ice tea really be? I probably won't be returning to this place unless I bring a Korean friend, but even so, why do I have to bring a Korean friend to a place to get better service. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Customers are coming in and paying for the food, so they should all be serviced the same. Such a shame and I would've liked to have another place as option to eat Korean BBQ.
(1)Kevin W.
I hate that this place had become so popular now that they rush u thru ur meal. I mean, literally throwing your chadolbaegi on the grill as soon as u took the recent batch off, meaning everything gets overcooked or cold. Annoying but with success comes crowds. It's Byob but please do not come and "hang out" newbies with your friends and talk about life and politics. Eat, enjoy your meal, then leave. No seriously. There is nowhere to put ur name on a list, u just have to wait in a cramped line and hope no random ajimas cut in front of u (maybe they know the owner/waitresses, if so, cool fine). Next time I'm seriously coming at 3pm or however late bc I'm tired of them rushin me. Don't park in the lot behind the restaurant unless u wanna have to move ur car midmeal. Kim chi soup was blah as I find it at every restaurant now that I'm eating it sober. Grilled meats r the star here. The signature is the chadolbaegi. Theyll make a nice fried rice at the end meal w remaining pan changs. I would give this 5 stars for food and value, but now with the wait, and having all our meats overcooked b/c they keep chucking the meat on there nonstop at a frenetic pace, well, makes it less ideal.
(4)Laura K.
What a cool experience for a gringo like me! :) My husband and I went with friends of ours who recently discovered this place after vacationing in Seoul. They wanted us to try authentic Korean BBQ (a first of me if you don't count Crisp). I read the reviews before going which left me with absolutely zero expectations for service, so I was pleasantly surprised when the server took our order and filled my water once during our meal. Yes, you do have to wait in line out of the restaurant, but boy is it worth it. I don't have total clarity on what we ordered because we had to order right when we sat down, so we let our friends order everything. I believe we got the #5 and #6 and we LOVED the #6 which was some beef dish with a great flavor to it. We also got the seafood pancake which was tasty, but kind of freaked me out because the seafood had legs with a super chewy texture. We also got the bowl with rice, meat, egg, etc. similar to what is at Crisp which was good, but I didn't love the flavor. But with that said, we really enjoyed the full authentic experience and further enjoyed that it was BYOB and that the bill ended up being around $75 for 4 people (not including tip) which we thought was pretty good for how much food we got. This place would have been pretty intimidating for me had I not gone with someone who knew a little about Korean food, however it is definitely worth a try.
(4)Chris S.
I love Korean BBQ, ever since I indulged in Japan. Food here was tasty and price was great. I went for an early dinner and didn't wait very long. I think this place gets packed during the prime hours... long wait. BYOB is a plus! Food came out super quick. Ribs were great. For the fools that gave a poor rating because of the language barrier - it was probably YOUR fault not theirs. It isn't that difficult, i bet they have a hard time ordering at Mc D's
(4)Laura C.
After seeing lines snaking out the door for Cho Sun Ok, I decided to give this corner spot a try. From the outside, it looks a bit shady, the windows are shaded and the paint is peeling away. When you get inside, it's pleasantly subdued, with light woods, and Himalayan sea salt decorating the many tables, some with built in burners, others with portable electric ones and powerful exhaust fans to help with the smoke. You can either choose to cook your own meal tableside, with paper thin slices of raw beef brought to you among a myriad of sides, or if you're feeling less adventurous, you can order straight off the menu and have your food prepared for you. The BBQ beef for two is $24.95, and if you're visiting on a busy day, the servers might come around and start cooking your meat for you - which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of ordering it DIY. It feels a bit rushed, like they want to get you out faster so they can bring in another table. While the many reviews on here hint at racial discrimination against Caucasians, I think it's just a general service philosophy to not give a darn about the customers, no matter what color your skin is. They know they'll get people in the door, plus the limited English skills provides somewhat of a barrier to customer service. The whole time I was there, only two non-Asians dined, including one with me. I don't think they were treated any differently. In addition to the BBQ, we tried a cold soba noodle soup that was refreshing on a hot day. With slices of Asian pear and kohlrabi, there was a welcome sweetness and crunch. The hard-boiled egg was a bit gray around the yolk, but other than that, the broth was flavorful and cooling. I made the mistake of leaving my leftover noodles in the fridge for two days, and they turned to big pile of mush. Expect a wait if you're going on a weekend night, but it's a fun group outing for an interactive dinner, if you choose.
(3)Tari F.
After reading great reviews and continually seeing long lines, I couldn't wait to try this restaurant. Finally went for lunch today (Wednesday) - crowded, but no wait. We ordered the Galbi Gui (marinated beef short ribs) and were VERY disappointed. They take the short ribs and slice them in a way that you get a small bone and long pieces of meat - which is pretty common. But then they must pound the meat with a textured mallet - it had more of a consistency of cube steak - rather than beef short ribs. The flavor was okay, but the texture ruined the whole experience. The sides were good. Service was mediocre - no matter how much I smiled at one of the waitresses, she would not crack a smile. I could live that - but don't see going back any time soon for the Galbi.
(2)Ruben R.
We were craving Korean and this hit the mark. Small home style restaurant with delicious food. We had Bulgogi for two and it was great. Service was as expected, but that is part of the magic.
(5)B C.
Cho Sun Ok gave me the great memory that why I need to visit Chicago as often as possible. It is rare that one restaurant could give me that kind of memory. Cho Sun Ok's meats particularly "" is highly recommended. Among all the Korean Restaurants who offers Korean BBQ style cooking I have been, Cho Sun Ok gives me the taste which I call it as Korean Style soul food or/and comfort food. Although, Chosun Ok often has long line of waiting list during dinner time and limited parking lot, it is worthwhile to visit at least once while you are in Chicago or a near area. A few areas that I would like Cho Sun Ok to improve are their service, restaurant cleanness, and their restroom. When Cho Sun Ok has a full of customers and very busy, most customers might be happy to wait patiently until they get their seat: however, sometimes, their patience runs out unexpectedly when Cho Sun Ok hostesses express their frustration to customers. Particularly when non-Korean or Korean customers visit Cho Sun Ok for the first time and need some explanations (menu) from hostesses during busy time, it is very hard to get the desirable answers. * Service: Poor * Price: Average (reasonable) * Atmosphere: Below average (Crowded and a bit noisy when the restaurant has a full of customers, Cleanness of restroom) * Food Quality: Taste is above average and quality is not known yet. * Parking: Limited due to too many customers but there are many available spots on the street * Avoid factor: Dinner time during winter - Due to Chicago's harsh winter and possible long line of dinner customers, you may end up waiting outside of the restaurant. If you are new to Cho Sun Ok, you may want to avoid busy dinner hours. Do not order too many foods since most of Korean BBQs, you can ask for stir-fry rice after BBQ (awesome flavor!). * Recommendation: One hour dinner plan with your friends may not be enough during busy dinner time, be prepare to have a long hour dinner, Try ""
(3)Thongsy S.
Food: 4 stars Service: 2 stars Very very tiny place but good nonetheless. There's usually a wait because the place fills up quickly and with Korean food, people tend to sit and talk and enjoy their food...no rush there. I've been here several times and never realized it was BYOB. We grabbed a bottle down the street from Jewel and to our surprise there was no corkage fee, EVEN BETTER! The service was below par. We had to ask for our glasses (for the wine) twice before the waitress finally brought it over. Our water was not refilled until we had to ask for it. And I felt like the waitress was avoiding eye contact with us because it took us forever to flag her down to ask for 2 small bowls so we can share the spicy tofu soup. Grant it, they were busy and there were only 2 servers. But for some reason, I had a feeling that we were not getting the best service because we were not Korean. I had the same experience at other Korean joints too and everytime I would go eat Korean with Koreans, the service was always much better. The food is pretty good. I love all the veggie side dishes they offer with every meal. It definitely offsets all the meat you will eat. They have really good spicy tofu soup and all of their meat selection for the tabletop cooking is great. Expect to spend on average $25 for each of the tabletop meats. But the rest of the menu ranges from $7-$15 which isn't bad. Note: Side street parking is available.
(3)Jeff S.
I've been to Chosun Ok a couple of times now, and I've left happy both times. Most people will rave about the KBBQ, so I'll keep it short and say that it's good, but nothing amazing. Chosun Ok actually has other really good Korean foods besides the more popular BBQ. I went back a couple of days ago we ordered the japchae (noodles with vegetables and beef) and hae-nangmyun (cold buckwheat noodles with a sweet/spicy sauce with raw skate). We were also served the traditional banchan with some rice. The japchae was served piping hot and everything was fresh. I wish they would put in more mushrooms as I associate good japchae with loads of mushrooms. Overall it tasted just like how my mom makes it, which suffice to say is my favorite. The hae-nangmyun was unexpectedly great. The sauce was sweet and spicy, but there wasn't a lot of the skate fish in there. The ratio of sauce to noodles was off as well - not enough noodles. Toward the end, I got a bit sauce'd out from the sweetness of it. Still good, but overwhelming. 20% more noodles and it would be a perfect ratio. Banchan is delicious here. You might not get as many here as other places, but everything is good, has the right amount of spice and flavor, and really gets you ready for your meal. I'll be honest - I could easily eat a meal here with just the banchan and rice and be perfectly happy. Service is like most Korean places - not the greatest. But we were able to order fairly quickly, the food came out quickly, but after that they were a bit hard to track down for the check. Chosun is a great place to go, but I don't think it's worth waiting for a table for 1hr+ if you go on a weekend; there's plenty of other good Korean restaurants close by that will satisfy your craving if you so desire.
(4)Stacy L.
Warning: Be prepared to be the last served if you are not Korean or white. My husband and I visited this restaurant a few months ago. We waited an hour to be seated (which was expected since it was a very busy night). When we were finally seated, they took orders from everyone else, even people who were seated well after us. In fact, one large group of Koreans arrived after us, ordered, and received their food before we were even able to place our order! The waitress was chatting with the group and cutting their food; she was very attentive to them. Livid, my husband got up, interrupted the waitress, and asked her (politely) to take our order. For context of story, I should mention that I am half black and half Korean (I am fairly dark skinned) and my husband is white. My husband wanted to leave after he noticed that the table across from us were served. I begged to stay because I really wanted to try the food. Anyway, we finally placed our order. We ended up waiting another hour for our food to arrive!! The large party across from us left before we were even served our meal. I don't really know why I insisted on staying-- I guess I was curious to find out how long they would pretend we didn't exist. After probing the waitress a couple times about when the food would arrive, we decided to leave. As we stood out of our chairs to leave, the cook rushed out of the kitchen with the food. We sat back down and ate. Though the food was delicious, I will never give them my business again. I didn't want to jump to the conclusion that we were served last because of my race. I told my Korean friends about my experience. One them has a mom who happens to be close friends with a waitress at this restaurant. She confirmed that they deliberately serve whites and Asians first because they think they'll get a better tip. Talk about a slap in the face!!
(1)Sara M.
So I know that I am an adopted Korean who grew up in an Italian-American family but damnit if that Asian food isn't in my genes. I particularly love Korean BBQ and was so glad when my sister took me here. SO GOOD. The meat, the banchan, the wrapping of food, the mean old Asian ladies, did I mention the meat, the fried rice after the main meal is finished, and the close proximity to extremely hot surfaces. What's not to love? It is small and you are going to have to wait but it's worth it. I wish a place like this opened up in Boston where I live but Koreana will have to do for now. ***I see that other Yelpers have mentioned that it is closed. I hope that it is back open when I come for a visit in the summer!
(5)Jin Joo L.
Like most typical Chicago Korean restaurants and the ones in Korea... don't expect that best or friendliest service. In Chicago, I just don't get it. Why do most Korean restaurants have crappy mean old ladies serving? Do they not appreciate tip? I'd be happy not to leave any if that's how they're going to be... HONESTLY! I give this place a four star because every time I come the food is great! One of the best places for all my favorite and plenty of... side dishes aka banchan. Don't ever go with a big group. Best to go with just one to three people with you otherwise you might need to wait a while. I can't believe I did not find a review that I'd written on this place. So, here goes. I love the bbq here. It doesn't matter that it's not all you can eat buffet. The quality and quantity fits the price. I thought that the prices were extremely reasonable. Which I'd never noticed before. Last night I ordered the chaddulgui, fried dumplings, mul nengmyun, my typical order. The mandoo dumplings were so good. I preferred my dumplings pan fried and filled. Some places don't have large dumplings and they give you so little. Here for just $4 they give you like 12!!!!! MMMm. The Chaddulgui (Thinly sliced beef), looked so small on the plate at first sight, but the more we ate and more we cooked, we realized how thinly sliced the beef was. They brought out the green onions a bit late and I was disappointed yet again that they don't serve lettuce for wraps with the bbq. I improvised with the pickled radish, and the kimchi. The mul nengmyun (cold buckwheat noodle soup)... was okay. Not over the top but decent. I love the garnishes in it like the cucumber, meat, radish, pear slice, and half egg. Half because they split our order for two people. Good sense, people!!!! To top off everything, they fry your rice in the bbq pan with kimchi, some spices, and veggies. We were too full by then so I took it home. Was still great for lunch today. I'm not sure they serve alcohol or if it's even BYOB anymore. I heard they lost their liquor license.. just FYI for you drinkers. The only thing I gotta say that I HATED... The waitress shoving plates around... REALLY LOUDLY AND RUDELY... like saying hurry, eat, and leave. Like.. we're still eating here... can you be any louder? Why don't you just break the plates!!!! Overall at the end, I just pay them right back... I don't say a word and I walk out. Not even thank you or good-bye. If anyone knows of a place that has good service, like Woo Lae Oak... AND great food, let me know. Like by that I mean... a SMILE!!!!!! Don't give me a bchy constipated persona, but why don't you make me want to pay for your services?
(4)Christina X.
Best Korean place in Chi-town but 3 stars only because it's always packed with long wait! Good portions and price! If you get the un-marinated short ribs they make the left overs into kimchi fried rice...so yummy!
(3)Sandra Y.
This is the best Korean food I've had in Chicago (& burbs). The wait to get in sucks, but what do you expect when you go to a small, popular restaurant? For me, the wait was worth it. Food is amazing. We had kbbq. The price is great for the quality & the quantity of food that you get. BYOB makes it even better :)
(5)April P.
6 months and 6 visits later, and Cho Sun still delivers. Yes the wait may be long, but it sure is worth it to have korean kimchii fried rice My friend noted that IF they had a dining area twice as big, they'd still make a killing. I don't imagine any seat empty if a larger location was in the works Hey, wishful thinking right!
(5)Triphena W.
Must order: Bibim naeng myun ($7.95). Chewy, slippery buckwheat noodles served chilled with spicy sauce, sweet Asian pear, crunchy vegetables, and boiled egg. Mix everything together, and voila-- the perfect dish for a hot summer day, but SO good you'll eat it year round. The panchan served at Cho Sun Ok is noteworthy as well. Best in Chicago. As others have mentioned, the restaurant is small so be prepared to wait for a table if you go during peak dinner hours. Easy street parking. Inexpensive. BYOB. You can't ask for anything else.
(4)Andrea K.
Great Korean food. Closest to downtown Chicago. If you are not Korean, they will be rude to you. Ignore you. If you can handle that, the food is good. You can't go wrong with the kalbi.
(4)Winston G.
First KBBQ place I've been to so far in Chicago, and this place did not disappoint. My Korean friends told me that this place was known for their chadolbaegi, so that's what we ordered. The meat was very good - not too fatty, but had just enough where the flavor was still there. The value was solid too - comes out to around $13-14 a person, which was enough food for us to be sufficiently full. The panchan is pretty good - ranges from your standard kimchi to your cucumbers and also a great potato/fruit salad. The best part of this meal is the fried rice they make at the end for you though, which is basically a kimchi fried rice. Delicious. Service was probably the only thing lacking. Coming here with someone who is Korean and/or speaks Korean makes things easier. However, you might be forced to cook your own meat and such when it is busy (usually is because the place is small).
(4)Heather P.
Food was good, maybe 4 stars Service was AWFUL less than 1 star Value 5 stars Ambiance 2 stars BYOB is a fantastic bonus. The portions are definitely generous and the sides were all tasty and plentiful. It was uncomfortably hot inside. I didn't mind the quaintness in this little nook of a place, but the bathroom was disgusting and walking through the kitchen to get there didn't really get my excited for my food. We heard that service here was slow so that was no big surprise, but the server was incredibly rude to us. She actually put her finger in my friends' face to symbolize that she'd have to wait when she tried to signal for more water. When she brought the water to refill the glasses a good fifteen minutes later, she spilled it all over my friend's plate and then never acknowledged that she did it. I will never go back here again based on the service alone. If anyone can recommend a friendly Korean restaurant, I would appreciate it!
(1)James L.
cha dol bae gi was good and 24.95 Bahn-chan plentiful and free yuk-gae jang was good. 9.95 the bokumbap they do at the end, tasted funky. free getting decent service because I was Korean, priceless.
(3)Joan L.
You go here to eat the Chadolbaegi (thinly sliced unmarinated beef). It comes accompanied with 15-ish side dishes. A nice array ranging from potato based to soup to pickled radish to fish cakes.. It's like I walked back in time into my kitchen where my grandma is whipping up Korean food like a tornado. You'll be stuffed to the brim after your order if you did it right because the ladies create this kimchee fried rice after the meat is through. In addition, you will receive a bowlful of cold buckwheat noodles in beef broth. The sad part is that no matter how good the Korean restaurant is here in Chicago, it will NEVER be as good as those in Los Angeles which overtake even the motherland's motherlode of delicious pickled and marinated treats.
(4)Edwin W.
I would not brand myself as a Korean BBQ (KB) connoisseur, but when it comes to KB in Chicago, I would like to think I fit somewhere within the "experienced" category. I would first like to warn readers about the other good reviews posted about Cho Sun Ok (CSO). There are not a lot of KB restaurants within the chicago metro area which I believe can be the cause for CSO getting such high reviews. People who are posting good reviews do not have a valid point of comparison. Prior to dining at CSO I have heard nothing but good reviews (not just from yelp) but also via word of mouth from friends who have dined there. A friend and I arrived on a Saturday around 5, right before the peak of the dinner rush. The place had about 75% of the dining area occupied with only 3 small tables open. We immediately got seated and were served with water and menu. At this point I did not feel rushed or any sense of bad service. This quickly changed! During our ordering process, my friend (who had dined at CSO before) inquired about the Kim Chi Fried Rice cooked over the grill. We were informed that we can only order that rice if we ordered one of the Grill items. We turned to the grill items and asked which item we should order. The waitress was extremely adamant that we order the "thin sliced" bugolgi vs. the thick sliced one. As I turned to my friend telling him I preferred the thick sliced beef, she interrupted us and inssited that we get the thin sliced one. Not trying to make her disappointed we went with her suggestion and went with the thin sliced beef (which we later would realize why she was so adamant about it). Upon finishing our ordering, my friend and I were having a conversation until I was surprised from behind by our waitress who was holding the portable stove. She placed this in front of me and nearly burned my eyebrows as she ignited the stove. My friend and I decided to laugh it off as we are not fans of making a scene before our food arrives. The thin sliced meat arrives and she starts to cook the meat on the pan. I make a comment to my friend about the amount of grease that the meat has produced while it was cooking. The waitress had taken the stacks of beef and just threw it on the pan without separating each piece from each other. We were then greeted with the waitress's solution to absorbing some of the oil. She reached in her apron for a napkin and threw the napkin over the beef and used it to absorb most of the grease accumulating in the pan. The pan at this point looked like a saucepan of grease with the meat drowning in it's liquid fat. This was when my friend and I realized why she was so adamant of us ordering the "thin" sliced beef. It was easier to cook (about 10/90 meat to fat ratio) and I am guessing lower in quality. Each bite we ate was a mouthful of grease. I quickly gave up on the beef and saved my appetite for the kimchi fried rice which was the initial reason we decided on dining at CSO. At the time the waitress started cooking our kimchi fried rice, I looked over to the door and realized there was a line that had formed out the door. It was this moment when one of the other wait staff came by and threw our bill on our table. Keep in mind, one of our entrees was clearly still in the cooking process which was visible on our table. I jokingly asked my friend to ask for a menu to get a reaction from the wait staff. He punked out. We ended our dining experience with our waitress prematurely turning off our stove that was cooking the kimchi fried rice. My friend and I wanted to let the rice cook more until the bottom of the pan was burnt and crispy (which is our favorite part of the rice, similar to hot pot bibim bop). At this point, we decided to wait as the rice cooked on the bottom, but during this process our waitress came by twice asking us to eat. She came by our table to rush us to eat more than she attended to my empty glass of water. I was anticipating her third trip around asking us to eat, would be followed by her force feeding us with a spoon. Korean BBQ can be a truly unique dining experience. It also comes with a lot of sacrifice, one being the stench it leaves on your clothes, the language barrier with most KB places, and the couple of hours you get to partake in gluttony. With this being said, it can easily be a terrible dining experience if the service is below par along with the quality of the food. Pass on CSO! Spend the extra cash on gas and drive up to the northwest suburbs (i.e. Glenview, Niles) for a truly eye opening experience on Korean BBQ.
(2)Tuyen T.
This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the city. It's also a lot of other people's favorite Korean restaurant in city because it's always packed! The place is tiny, so I suggest arriving before typical meal times. I would probably not come with a group of 6 or more. What you have to try: Seafood pancake. I know it sounded totally gross to me, but it's sooo good!!! If you like seafood, trust me. It's as big as a pizza pie, so definitely a good appetizer to share. I just hate that it takes forever to get your water refilled - but crappy service at an Asian restaurant only makes it more authentic in my book.
(5)August B.
Any Korean place that Koreans patronize and cook the food gets high stars. Add to that the cool security cameras in the restaurant and you get five stars. don't go here for lunch because I'll be here and i don't want to share. Seriously wish i stumbled in before.
(5)Sabrina R.
I've never had Korean BBQ, but hot damn was this not only some great food, but an awesome experience. My girl brought me here, and we came with a bottle of wine. We had to wait in a cramped area for about 15 minutes before we were seated. Unfortunately the table was right by the door, so while other people were waiting to be seated (which they were the entire time we were there) the door kept opening and closing, so it got pretty cold. Like I said though, we brought wine. My girl ordered, so I don't know exactly what she called it, but it was thinly sliced beef. They brought it with like 12-15 other bowls of all kinds of stuff. Tofu, seaweed salad, sweet yuca or plantain, kimchi, onion, been sprouts, sesame oil, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We had a great time cooking our beef and trying everything. Just when our meat was gone, and I thought we were all done the waitress came and dumped the kimchi, bean sprouts, and onion in the pan along with some rice and made us KIMCHI RICE! (kimchi rice = awesomness). The only problem with this place is.... before we left my girl ordered something for her husband. Because we knew they were packed we left our table to be cleaned for someone else and waited by the bar. Even though we got up the attitude of the waitress seemed that she was very annoyed at our to go order, and had no problem letting us by her frequent scoffs and couple of "accidental" pushes that we were in her way. Next time we'll order that to go order before the check comes & avoid that whole mess. The food was soooo good, there will most definitely be a next time regardless of the not-so-friendly service.
(4)Luan N.
Finally a place that does chadal bae gi or beef brisket right. Places like SSGS and Woo Chon cook the brisket over charcoal. But Cho Sun Ok gets it right with the stone bowl. Oh man it was so good and portions were huge too. One order was enough for 2-3 people. Also the kim chee fried rice in the end was a much welcomed bonus. We also tried the naeng myeong which is noodles in a cold beef broth. It was really refreshing and came in a massive bowl. However, despite the rave reviews, I don't think I'm a huge fan of this dish. Maybe on a hot blistering day it would taste better. I got to give the place 5 stars for the brisket and for the price. But, knocking it down a notch for the cramped experience, substantial weight, and mediocre sun dubu.
(4)Samuel M.
I always say that ethnic food is best enjoyed either in a restaurant which looks like the health inspector hasn't paid a visit recently, or when served by staff that doesn't speak English. While I found Cho Sun Ok to be disappointingly clean, I was pleasantly surprised when the staff couldn't answer my question as to whether it was okay to wait inside the restaurant. I knew I was in for a treat. Pajeon (seafood pancake, $10.95) is paper thin, lightly fried, and filled with flavorful shellfish and vegetables. Bulgogi ($10.95) is delectably marinated and grilled to a tender crisp. Kimchi Jigae ($7.95 for a small) is hotter than Hades, surprisingly full of tender sliced beef; one of the best cures for a cold that I know of. All in all, Cho Sun Ok delivers some of the best Korean food I've had. Well worth the wait and the shlep to North Center!
(5)Eddy L.
The food is cheap and pretty good. The service is horrible. Especially the lady that works there. She is super rude and always looks like shes in a bad mood.
(3)Eka L.
I don't usually write reviews - then again, I don't usually get pissed off very often. I can tolerate bad service. I've eaten at a restaurant where they don't even turn on the heat inside but meh, it was a cheap restaurant. This is a whole other level of terrible service. Let me just say that the food is alright. My friends like the kimchi fried rice that they serve at the end and the Chadolbaegi and Bulgogi was decent. Regardless of the food, no restaurants should have this kind of service. We came in at around 11:30 AM on Black Friday but fortunately it isn't crowded yet. We were able to get a seat rightaway. The place is tiny! We had 8 people in the party so we should've gone to a bigger restaurant. Anyway, we started ordering. The waitress brought us water and side dishes after we ordered. Our party isn't all there yet but we said it's alright, we'll order for them so we'll get out faster. The Chadolbaegi comes out first and the lady keep coming back and dumping meat in the pan. Basic cooking - you don't mix raw meat with cooked meat. The lady dumped raw meat into the pan and then distributed the cooked meat to our bowls. Fine, maybe they're just stupid. By the time the bulgogi comes in, we ran out of side dishes and water. We had 8 people and the side dishes are probably enough for 4 people. We asked for more side dishes. 10 minutes went by and no side dish. We asked again. Another 5~10 minutes and no side dish. Fine, maybe they're cheap and don't want to give customers free food. Before we asked for side dishes, we asked for water. Each time we asked for side dishes we asked them to fill up our water. Nothing. I was seriously pissed. We've probably spent about $18/person for the meal and they can't even fill up our water? This is ridiculous! Meanwhile, the line was getting longer and longer to get in. The table beside us finished eating and a couple of guys sat down where they were at. The waitress gave them some water. Apparently there wasn't enough in the pitcher, so they had to settle for a half a cup of water. Half a cup of water which they never come back to refill. I've never had this bad of a service and for an $18 meal I think it's fair to expect them to at least fill up our water. Needless to say, I'm not coming back - ever
(1)Emily R.
While I have dined at Cho Sun a half-a-dozen times I have never been there without my Korean friend who does all of the ordering. Having said that, I adore this restaurant and the feast that they lay before me. We typically go with a group of 6 people and order pretty much the same thing every time: 2 orders of bul-go-gi (marinated raw beef), haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), galbi-gui (short ribs) and jab chae (noodles with beef and veggies). If you have never been to Cho Sun before any of those dishes will be sure to please. The best part is at the end of your meal when they take the leftover garlic and side dishes and stir fry them together with rice. I am usually too full to eat much of this delicious concoction but you can always take it to go!
(5)Janet B.
If you go to Cho Sun Ok without your wife and kids, you better tell them the truth because there's no hiding the fact. Your clothes will REEK. They do offer a coat closet out of courtesy, but you will still be raped by the smell. Not that I care. I go here precisely for the authentic, divey atmosphere. Nothing beats having cha dol bae gi and soju with good company at Cho Sun Ok. Obviously you can get the thin beef slices and grill it at home and call it a night... but you don't have the lady grilling a generous amount of meat and dealing out the side dishes with the speed of a casino dealer and making absolutely delicious fried rice on spot at the end. Yes, the parking lot is kind of shambly, it wasn't easy to access by public transportation from the northern suburbs, and the wait on the weekends is kind of annoying, but SO WHAT. Cho Sun Ok is definitely the most memorable Korean restaurant from my time in Chicagoland, and I would love, love to visit again when I'm in town.
(4)Ferdinand H.
Bustling, hot and humid. BYOB. These would be the most critical things to remember for this restaurant. The Korean barbecue was pretty typical. YukeJang was less than impressive... as well as the samgyapsaal kimchi stir fry. The pork was a bit thick, and the kimchi not as fresh as I would have liked. On the other hand the grilled meat was fantastic. We ordered 2 sets of the specialty beef, and devoured it like starved savages from the stone cooking surface. When the waitress added the rice it was also quite a treat - especially once crispy and just slightly burnt.
(3)Sandy N.
Cho Sun Ok is really just about the food. The service can be a bit off-putting if you're not Korean because the ladies there are sort of in your face and don't mind telling you if you're eating something the wrong way (with the wrong sauce) or if you're cooking the wrong way. Other than that, the food is good. I've been here twice now, and we usually order the marinated beef for 2 to grill at the table. It's a lot of meat. Then there's something like 6-8 side dishes that are brought out and spread all around the grill area to accompany your main dishes. On top of that, this last time we ordered a scallion pancake (savory, with kimchi, shrimp, and squid) and the tendon soup (this was bland, better to order the appetizer, I'm thinking). After you're done with most of the meat, there's a few pieces left that are saved. The lady will come over and drop a bunch of kimchi on your grill until it caramelizes, then drops on a bunch of rice and some other veggies.. Ta da! You have kimchi fried rice. At this point you're probably too full to finish it, but it makes great leftovers. Yum! Come for an early dinner (5:30-6ish) or be prepared to wait.
(4)J. M.
Excellent food! Service that you will tell others about, learn to appreciate, then enjoy, feel comforted by and eventually you will miss it when you are not there.
(5)Ha-ti N.
My friends and I always love a good Korean bbq dinner. We make it an event cause its just the best feeling to have good friends around you and sharing awesome food. We've had San Soo Gab San, it was time to try Cho Sun Ok. It was recommended to me by a few people actually. This place did not disappoint. We ordered the cha dol bae gi and nakji bokkeum. we had 4 people with us and we definitely over-ordered. I think on purpose. We also got yuk gae jang and Haemul Pajeon. IT was ridiculous. Dishes were being stacked. There was a plethora of banchan and i must say, the kimchi was the freshest i've tasted. I ate so much and was so satisfied. Be careful not to overcook your nakji bokkeum!! I was surprised they didn't have Samgyeopsal or kalbi that we could cook on our own. that was the only disappointment. They have kalbi they make themselves though. The women there are very forceful but don't take offense. They know what they're doing ;) Will be back!
(4)T C.
For our anniversary, my significant other and I chose to try something new--Korean food. We chose to try Cho Sun Ok because of the raving reviews here on Yelp. We wanted something authentic, and that's exactly what Cho Sun Ok is. When we entered the restaurant, which usually has a long line outside, I felt like I wasn't in the U.S. anymore. The food was fabulous, although most of the time I wasn't sure what I was eating (lots of different vegetables and meats). Because we weren't comfortable cooking, the waitress cooked most of the food for us (the tables have centerpiece stoves). The food is good and cheap--we paid $25 for the both of us. We also got the fried dumplings, which were also very good. Overall, I'd say it was a successful first Korean bite. Note, however, that the staff doesn't speak very good English. Don't go here for the service, either--go for the food and experience. Also, dress lightly, as their A/C is pretty bad. It was very hot, likely because it's a small space and there's a stove on each table.
(4)Ann S.
My boyfriend and I went here this week, and rather than ordering something to cook on the tabletop grills, we both got the octopus in the spicy sauce. The pan chan this time were kind of lackluster. I felt that it's been fresher in the past. The sauce was a huge win. It was very garlicky- but just shy of overpowering. Perfect. The spiciness was just right as well. Both of us felt a little sniffle-y from the heat, but on a cold night, that's a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, the octopus was severely overcooked, forcing us to work our jaws to exhaustion in order to chew thoroughly. To be fair- octopus is a delicate item to cook with and demands a loving hand. Next time, I'll stick with grilling, or a bowl of classic bebimbop.
(3)Kwoky L.
Cho Sun OK uses a gas stove and a stone pan for their BBQ. You grill your meat in the stone pan and all the flavors concentrate in it. Then in the very end of the meal, the servers would come with a bowl of rice or noodles and fry them up in the pan of delicious goodness. Good concept but I do prefer charcoal style BBQ at San Soo Gab San more. That aside, I find that this place has some issues with their service. Servers NEVER smile and I always felt like we are being rushed out the door. The issue is that they grill all the meats for you faster than you can eat. I could hardly eat at my own pace and have a good dinner conversation at the same time. I wish they would stop doing that and let us do the work. Another thing is, they are less inclined than San Soo Gab San to change the grill pan. My mother is allergic to beef and we specifically asked that we want our BBQ squid first before the beef. But the beef came out first and we had to ask them to change the stone pan. The server was PISSED. We tried to explain that she was allergic to beef but she shuts us out and refused to listen. She did changed it in the end though. The fact that she refused to accommodate my mom's allergies is totally unacceptable. I would highly recommend San Soo and other Korean restaurants if you like BBQ and save yourself from having to deal with the servers at Cho Sun OK.
(2)Brian F.
Awesome restaurant with some of the most surly servers that you will find anywhere! I just don't care, as I'm stuffing my face with the best bulgogi in the city and all those cute appetizers that they bring out for free.
(4)Rich W.
Cho Sun Ok is Chicago's oldest Korean restaurant (opened circa 1979), and it still stands as one of the city's best after more than 30 years. I think the quality of banchan (small side dishes) is a good indicator of the quality of a Korean restaurant. The banchan program at Cho Sun Ok is strong - good number of selections, all of which are delicious. If you come, you have to do BBQ. I always get the chadol bae gi (sliced brisket). Portion is generous, and the beef cooks beautifully on the stone grill. Don't forget to throw in the garlic as the grill preheats. After you finish cooking the meat, the waitress will concoct a kimchee fried rice right in front of you with your leftover banchan - what an excellent idea! I love the crust that develops at the bottom as the rice sits on the stone grill - best part of the meal! Other a la carte dishes are great too. The doenjang jigae (bean paste soup) has ample umami without being too salty. The haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) has good ingredients and has a nice crust. Their naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup) is probably the best in the city, with great al dente noodle and savory broth (don't forget to add the hot sauce, mustard, and vinegar) - a refreshing way to finish the meal. In terms of ambiance... let's just say that this is not an ideal place for a romantic night out. Decor is non-existent. This is a hole-in-a-wall and cramped space. Don't wear anything too nice, as it will smell like Korean BBQ for the rest of the week. Service is efficient but brisk. If the old guy (who always stands on the side bossing the waitresses around like a good old fashioned patriarch) thinks you didn't order enough food, his facial expression will show. Don't piss him off. You want to be on his good side. This is my go-to place for Korean BBQ in the city. There is often a long line. So go with friends you can chat with while waiting, and don't forget to BYOB. This is not meant to be a fancy place. Appreciate it for what it is, then I'm sure you'll love it.
(4)Keiko S.
First off, the SERVICE. As many have noted already, it helps to be Korean (or at least be able to speak it) here. Thankfully we went with our Korean friend, also a loyal customer of the restaurant, so we didn't feel as neglected as we might have had we gone alone. Nonetheless, the servers, even the owner, are intimidating. Not only don't they smile, but they work so quickly and efficiently that they make us feel banned from disrupting their pace and routine. As for the FOOD...no doubt, you're in for a big satisfying feast. There's a reason why they don't take reservations (no need) and why so many people can patiently wait in line. They serve you a variety of small dishes ("banchan") that are, according to our expert friend, from the more suburban area of Korea, therefore more rare and authentic. My friends enjoyed the BBQ and the mixed fried rice at the end, in which the server rapidly and randomly mixed the remaining banchan on the table. However, I can't comment on the BBQ as I'm not into beef... Instead, I savored my order of seafood jigae. It was rich, tasty and big. We were also pleasantly surprised by the tab, too...very reasonable. All in all, no complaints! Wait, I do have a minor complaint...and this WARNING goes to the girls especially. DO NOT wear anything fancy here - they will stink! Bring no coat or jacket if possible, but wear something easily washable. Or else you'll end up like me, with my down jacket at the dry cleaner.
(4)Jessica Y.
I love Korean bbq and am always up for trying a new Korean restaurant! Having grown up with many Korean friends and traveled to Korea, authentic Korean food is a must! Just be prepared for the usual bbq smell afterwards in your clothes and hair, as it is a charcoal grill! Of course, we started off with our usual haemul paejon (Korean seafood pancake), which was pretty good! Even though I know how to make it myself, I still love eating it at the restaurant and Cho Sun Ok's is delicious! For the bbq, we ordered our usual bulgogi and galbi, which are marinated pretty well and tasty! It won't disappoint! Since Korean bbq never really fills you up and you could potentially go broke ordering massive quantities of meat (and clog your arteries!), we ordered Suhn Dubu (pretty good!) and chap chae, which was just so so. Overall, it was a fun experience with good food and great service! It was a little tough because none of us knew Korean, but we knew just enough to make ordering easier and even though we ordered plenty of food, it didn't empty our wallets!
(4)Barbara D.
3.5 stars Not the best Korean restaurant out there, but not bad either. I use to come here a lot at lunch time since my temp job was across the street, and each time it is the same thing: fast (if you make eye contact) but not overly friendly servers & good food....what else do you want? They also have Hite beer if you ask for it, it's not on the menu.
(3)Kurt H.
The reviews that explain all this have been bumped down kind of low on the page, so let me reiterate for those of us who aren't Korean: (1) You're not getting bad service relative to the Korean customers -- it's just that the Korean customers just know that they have to *flag down* the waitresses to get what they want. Pay attention, follow their lead, and do the same. And the waitresses are too overworked to sweet-talk anyone, so (A) don't take it personally and (B) respect their busyness and order as efficiently as you can. (2) Notice that 90% of the customers are ordering the cha dol bae gi (a/k/a chadolbaegi) as their (shared) entree, and so should you. It's the item with the grilled thinly-sliced beef that you dip in a salty sauce and where, at the end of the meal, they make fried rice out of the leftover side dishes. (3) Cha dol bae gi is the *only* item that they make the fried rice afterwards. It's not clear on the menu, and the waitresses are too busy to explain it, so please just try to remember it. (Write it down. Bring your Yelp app on your smartphone with you. Whatever.) (4) The plethora of little side dishes are called "banchan." It is acceptable to ask for free refills of selected items, but note this: Although you may take your leftover grilled beef or fried rice home if you really must, you *can't* take your leftover banchan home. It's just not done. (Don't be offended -- again, it's not anti-non-Korean prejudice. Look around: The Korean customers aren't taking *their* banchan home!) Cho Sun Ok is a good value (BYOB!) and a great cultural experience as long as you take it on its terms.
(5)Helena G.
I loved my Korean BBQ experience! They bring lots of small plates with veggies. The meat is super thin and very tasty. We also had a Korean pancake with veggies and octopus... OMG! It was DELICIOUS ***** And we ordered ribs marinated in a house made sauce, they were TERRIFIC ***** This place has 2 issues - is super smoke, in the end my clothes smelled like smoked meats. - and the staff is VERY rude.
(3)Nari H.
Yay I'm a fan. I'd give them at least 3.5 stars for sure. Came here last night with my sister and had a good time. Food was good and came out quickly. The servers have a no nonsense approach which is nice. Compared to other Korean restaurants, prices (according to my sister) are pretty inexpensive. And you get a plethora of banchan (side dishes) which i like. Cons are that seating area is small and might feel a bit crowded. You don't really notice once you start eating though. Bathroom is really small (smallest i've ever seen) and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. Their banchan is good, but some could have been better, I thought. And... they forgot my bo-rhee-cha (hot barley tea) and i love my hot barley tea. Overall, I had a good experience and I'd be back again. :)
(4)Kari M.
What can I say??? This place has some of the best Korean BBQ I have ever had. The line can be long at times, but it is worth it and the prices are so reasonable. This place is not fancy like some other Korean BBQ places, but the food makes up for it ten times over. The service is efficient and helpful. I would be willing to drive to Milwaukee all the time to come here. You know its good when there are several Korean families eating here.
(5)Crisann S.
Had a sudden craving for Korean food while vacationing in Chicago and thanks yelpers for finding this for me. The greeting service here is a bit wack. Upon entering the restaurant, I was standing at the door awkwardly for a minute and no one stopped to greet me even though I know they saw me walk in. A bit irritated, I took a seat at an empty table. Some waitress finally came and asked me to move to another table where the guests had just finished. The bulgogi was a bit dry. The only good part was that it was soft. The jap chae and bibimbap were good. They only had the cold bibimbap, no clay pot. Overall, would probably visit other Korean places if I have time but I wouldn't mind coming back again.
(4)Benjamin F.
Great food! Byob. No reservations and expect a wait. There will be little guidance on how to eat order or eat so go with an open mind an a sense of adventure and take cues from the other diners if you are not sure what to do. I think half the tables get the ChaDol-Gui (un-marinated beef) and I thought it was great but their marinades are delicious too.
(4)Bea K.
You only get a line that long if your food is the bomb!!! The food is great and it is as good as it gets for Korean BBQ and the service once you order is fast BUT the customer service needs some improvement. My fiancé had to ask for a fork 5 times before she brought him one - I understand they're busy but it wasn't like he was asking for a something excessive - it was a fork! Whenever we go now we try to bring a fork with us - if we forget we have to ask everyone we see for a fork. The fried dumplings are great, bulgogi is amazing, and the japchae is unbelievable every time we eat there!
(5)Pam R.
This was my 1st experience here. I had no idea what to order and couldn't understand the waitress so i was unable to communicate through asking her questions. Small side dishes were brought out and i had no idea what 90% of it was. We ordered steak and it was flavorless and i was left with awful heartburn after the meal (i rarely have this issue). As far as the staff, the place is very busy so be prepared to wait for whatever you ask for. I asked for a refill on water when our "appetizers" were brought out and didn't receive my refill until AFTER i had completed my meal.
(2)S D.
I should first point out that my husband and I are vegetarians. So, we knew going into this that the options wouldn't be plentiful, and I had my doubts about the service. While I'm not sure we'd go back there, it was actually much better than I'd expected. The server suggested Bibimbop without the meat as a vegetarian option, and the rest of the people at our table got beef of some kind (she also recommended that, so they have no idea what they ordered). The service was quick, and the small bowls of kimchi, etc, were mostly very good. I found it pretty funny when the server came and mixed our bibimbop/rice/sauce together (because I realized I was probably eating it incorrectly), but felt better when I saw she was doing it to others as well. :) I do wish I knew more about the food and menu so I could have branched out more, but if you're adventurous and don't mind suggestions combined with surprise, it's a great spot for authentic food. So this is more like a 3.5 stars. Oh, but I do agree that you will leave smelling like all sorts of food. So don't bring that jacket that needs to be specially dry-cleaned!
(3)Christopher C.
Went in the late afternoon and had a fantastic meal. Can't wait to dig in to the leftovers! They walked us through the whole process, which was definitely helpful. Recommend the soups as a side.
(5)Adam P.
The food was delicious and the older gentleman, I assume the owner, was really sweet to my friend's child. I would love to go back next time I'm in town. The place is a little small and fills up quickly, but people seem to move in and out at a good pace.
(5)Caroline A.
Let me clarify something to all the haters out there. The icy service you get here is common for Korean dive restaurants. You come here for the food, not the experience. Although, I kind of like being able to cook my own meat on the stone grill. Anyway... Cho Sun Ok is a tiny little Korean dive with super authentic food, terrible service and lots of smoke. This is not the place for Kalbi, but Cha Dul Bae Gi - thinly sliced unmarinated beef cooked table side. It helps if you come here with someone Korean because the servers don't speak English. I speak at Korean at a fifth grade level and barely got by. Their banchan offerings and kimchee fried rice were my favorite parts of the meal. My mom recommends their chigaes and naengmyuns too. If you are new to Korean food, I would suggest a visit to Solga before coming here. Also, when dining at a Korean restaurant, never wear cashmere or any nicer clothing as the smell of Korean food tends to linger. It's safer to wear something you can just throw in the wash... such as your "winter pants."
(4)Nikki C.
I don't think I'm asian enough to eat here alone sans korean person, but luckily my first adventure here was with a beautiful korean guide who knew the language and gave my table some proper ordering cred. I can't say exactly what I ordered, as I let my dining angel do the deed in native tongue, but within a couple of blinks the table was covered in tasty dishes, a hot stone pan with fire and a big plate of bacon looking meat that was divine. service was rather quick, at points I felt rushed to eat as more and more food was cooked up and prepared for us, but all in all a good time and good afterglow as the winter pants went well with the drifting snow and content feeling I felt after a long marathon eating session to start the holidays. good stuff, come with friends or a date, bring your hungover, your tired, your hungry and fill up fast with soul satisfying eats. read the other reviews for more information as this post kind of sucks as it further proves my asian card is in need of severe review.
(4)Mia P.
"Meh. I've experienced better" describes my experience exactly. The service was expected to be not good, and it's not that they are bad to be malicious or because they're so busy. I just don't think they really understand their job description. When we finally got the attention our "waitress", she was smiley, but she had no idea what we wanted/needed. She was trying to feel it out, but the language barrier didn't help. All she did was get our order, bring our food, and give us our check. You can't expect her to ask about how you're doing or check up on you, which isn't really acceptable in a restaurant atmosphere. The food unfortunately didn't make up for it. And I'm not a Korean food expert, but I've definitely had enough elsewhere to know that this is not a good fit for me. (We had the bulgolgi, which was unfortunately kind of dry and japchae)
(2)Emily S.
The best Korean bbq. We still bring our Korean friend (mostly because we like him, but also because he knows what we order!). I still have not learned to save room for the mish-mash fried rice at the end. Someday.
(5)Desiree Anne A.
Cho Sun Ok, is just OK in my book due to just the overall experience. I will say though that the Kalbi is very good. Also try the beef tendon soup. The waiter said its not common that young people order this dish, haha (the broth takes 9 hours to prepare). It consist of semi creamy texture soup with a hearty portion on beef tendon. It has a strong pepper taste and you can tell its heavy on the oil. But it taste interesting. Try it. It's pretty busy on the weekends. People congested through the doorway waiting. Makes people who are eating feel a little uncomfortable and rushed I think. The waitress move really fast, but never have the time to fill our waters. Boo. We beat the rush and came there around 7:30pm on a Friday night, that seems like an ok time to go. Free small parking lot in the back.
(3)Albert K.
I wish I could give this place five stars-- really. But I just cant. The good: This place is absolutely delicious. The food is fresh, it tastes great, and they number of side dishes they give out are unbelievable. Furthermore, after you finish eating, they dump all the side dishes onto the plate used to grill, add some rice, and leave it to us to eat. The food here is great. No doubt about it. The bad: Anyone would agree that service is one of the most crucial parts to owning a restaurant. Bad service and a good restaurant usually dont go together. But I guess Cho Sun Ok is the only exception. Seriously, the service here is pitiful. When I arrived, it took 40 minutes to finally get a table. Seriously? 40 minutes? Its ridiculous. Oh, but the horrors aren't over yet. As expected, we got cups of water, and I drank it immediately because it was pretty hot during the wait. It took me another 20 minutes and multiple requests for water before I could finally get a refill. Seriously, the service here is horrible. But... I still have to give this place 5 stars despite the poor service. Even though I walked out frustrated by the poor service, I knew that I would end up going back.
(5)Valerie H.
If the stars were on food alone, I'd give a 5. I always order the barbequed ribs and bulgogi. The restaurant itself usually has a line out the door (proof of good food!). My biggest complaint is the service. I get that it isn't an American restaurant where the waitresses constantly come around and ask if everything is going okay, I'm even okay with flagging down my Korean lady for more water or rice, and I'm even okay with the waitresses having zero personality. The problem is after working on flagging them down, they never come back with what you asked for!! I've been there at least 10 times where I've asked for a fork and a diet coke, and everytime I've had to remind them 2 or 3 times - if they even come back with what I asked for. If I need more water or rice it takes them forever to bring it, again, if even at all. I've learned to constantly bring my own fork and pop. If I could only bring in my own refill of rice I'd be set. Nonetheless, the food is solid. Decent pricing. Service sucks. But I still always go back.
(3)Harry L.
Very fun place to bring friends, particular friends from out of town who may not be familiar with Korean BBQ. The service is a bit iffy in here at times (you have to practically beg for water sometimes, which is a tough thing to live with when you are eating salty meat). The food is excellent, though, and we always go back.
(4)Maram K.
I will begin this review with a disclaimer: I don't know what Korean food is supposed to taste like, I can only imagine. Anywho, this place is pretty cute on the inside. Seating was limited but we were seated right away as part of our party arrived earlier. We ordered ribeye steak and the baby octopus. After ordering such, the waitress brought atleast a dozen sides of marinaded so and so and pickled whatever. All were delicious and some were spicy. The beef (bulgogi?) came raw and the waitress tossed it into the cast iron pot with heated oil in the center of our table. We can smell the deliciousness cooking as we ate a few of our sides. She comes back a few minutes later and serves up the meat. While we heat, she brings in the baby octopus and cooks it that same way. It's spicy and very bold. As it is closed to done-ness, she throws in a bowl of noodles glass-noodles into the simmering broth. We were left to serve this last dish on our own but it was very tasty! The noodles soaked up all the flavor that otherwise wouldve been left in the pot and discarded. Only downside is you WILL leave this place smelling like various cooking oils.
(4)Andrew H.
i used to come here a lot before the name got so big. Food still taste great but the only drawback now is..... the wait..... sometimes up to an hour long, but hey, good stuff doesn't come easy.
(4)Tim O.
I had the most bizarre experience at Cho Sun Ok. I walked into the restaurant, towards the cashier so I could order take-out. First off, the cashier/pick-up area is located in the opposite corner from the door so I had to maneuver myself around the packed eating area to even place an order. I told the woman what I wanted, and even pointed to the menu to reiterate my choices. I wanted one order of a dumpling soup and one order of Doeji Gui. The cashier kept on asking me a question that I didn't understand so I just pointed to the menu again and thought we reached an agreement. I paid an amount that seemed like what it should've been and went food shopping while my meal was being made. 20 minutes later, I came back to pick up my food and the same lady handed me a bag (it was stapled so I couldn't check the contents until I came home). When I arrived home, I opened the bag (my mouth salivating from the thought of broiled pork) and discovered that I was given three small containers of dumpling soup. I live a good distance away from the restaurant, and it was late, so I just ate what I was given. It was good (not great) but did not satisfy my craving at all. I just don't understand how my order could've been messed up when I went into the store personally, said what I wanted, and pointed to the menu TWICE. Don't even try to call in an order.
(2)Stephanie C.
Chicago is notorious for terrible and antiquated Korean food. Cho Sun Ok is one of the few places that have quality korean food that's easy on the wallet. Service is subpar, only because the place gets super busy and all the servers are trying to get to everyone's needs quickly. The Cha Dol is very good, with just the right amount of marbling on each slice of meat. The best part is the fried rice they make at the end! Cho Sun Ok is definitely a gem that everyone should visit while in Chicago.
(4)Paul B.
Please please PLEASE, if you are going to Cho Sun Ok for the first time and aren't going with a regular read through the reviews and make sure you know what you are doing. This place really is a gem but it has a learning curve. It really is a shame that so many people went and had such a bad experience because there are only a few simple guidelines (that you will see in this review and many others) which would have helped so much. So for first timers: #1. Yes, there is a long line. Don't show up starving because you will have to wait at least 30 minutes. #2. Service is different here. Waitresses expect to be flagged down when you need something (whether it is to order, to get more water, to pay... whatever). Its not that they don't like white people, its that the korean customers already know that they have to flag down a waitress to get service. Thats the way it works here (and many other coveted asian restaurants for that matter). Just accept it. Once you get the hang of it it works just fine. #3. Order the damn chadolbaegi. Open a menu, point at it, and say that you want it. If have a group and want more then fine, order chadolbaegi and something else. Otherwise, experiment with other options on your second trip once you have the hang of how things work. I promise you, I'm like craaaaazy white, but Cho Sun Ok is still at the top of my list of restaurants to hit up next time I get back to Chicago. I would have given it bad reviews too if I had expected the waitresses to come to me instead of vice versa. Finally, once you do flag down a waitress, have a heart, notice how overworked they are and think about what goes into keeping prices for such high quality food low. Could you imagine working in such a crazy place and always smelling like meat day in and day out for what is probably pretty terrible pay?
(5)Victoria O.
Used to go here after a guitar lesson at Old Town, up the street. Excellent Korean food. Friendly staff. Quick takeout. Ate in once, and the experience was equally pleasant. Recommend!
(5)Monica W.
Super small place. If there is a line, its normal because they can only hold maybe 30 people. But its worth the wait. I love the thin cuts of meat bbq. Its enough for 2 people. The seafood pancake was different. I say try it but I don't think we would get it again. Its BYOB but don't think you can hang out there for a while (took us an hour). The hungry eyes in line by the door are hunting you down. Service isn't that great but expected. Good food, great prices and a fun experience.
(5)Alice K.
This place rocks as evidenced by the lines out the door any day of the week. People are fast though and the tables turn quickly. It is an awesome BYOB choice. I am in love with the bulgogi. My only complaint is that there isn't much guidance for the non-Korean speaker or anyone new to Korean food. So, you may want to research Korean dishes before going to better guide you. That said, you cannot go wrong with the bulgogi. They will also fry it up for you. P.S. the table BBQ will impart a distinct smell to your clothes so don't go in your Sunday best.
(4)Lisa L.
I am really torn on how to review this place, which I am sure is excellent for Korean food, but as it turns out, Korean is not my cup of tea (or bowl of rice...) We went with someone who highly recommend a few dishes to try, including the table cooked marinated beef dish and a pork dish, however, I absolutely hate overcooked meat, and that is what this was. The meat is thinly sliced and then cooked until dried out - although not the fault of the restaurant, as I think this is how it's done....it was making me think that I need cheese whiz and bread, because the only other time I have had meat cooked like that was on a philly cheesesteak. I just didn't find the food that tasty, and left smelling of garlic and beef (the downfall of the interactive, cooked at the table, beef jerky) Oh well, fun to try, portions are huge, ridiculously cheap - and overall, one of those places that I could go back to, but really not my favorite kind of food.
(3)Wendy C.
second time visiting chitown and I'm a fan. when you first walk in and you see its packed with koreans you know.. your in for something awesome. i read review after review before visiting and i have to say this place shined. for dinner we ordered ONE item on the bbq section ( most korean places make you order at least two in order to even get the bbq on the table) they start bringing out the little dishes and the rice refilling them frequently and generously especially on the ones they refill more than twice. they also have a large plate of GREEN ONION SALAD --- i could eat BUCKETS OF THAT STUFF! once about half the meat is gone they take the meat set it aside and bring the large bowl of rice combined with the kimchi left on the table and sprouts etc and cook it on the stone griddle. the out come? MAGNIFICENT!! the rice crusts not he stone griddle giving it a nice spicy crunch top with some meat.. HEAVEN!
(4)Jacob N.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.... eat here about every other week. MUST TRY! ... just remember, don't go for the service, go for the food!
(5)Mike T.
Korean bbq is probably one of my favorite meals to have and Cho Sun Ok is a great place to try. The two times I've gone, we missed out on having the special fried rice cooked on the cooking surface that was just used to cook all of the juicy pieces of meat. Next time, we have to get the fried rice. Last time, we also ordered the pancake along with kalbi as the main dish and we were incredibly stuffed. The restaurant is super small so it might be difficult to get a place to sit.
(4)baka t.
Came for a mid day Sunday afternoon around 3pm. Working off a hangover, I had the taste for Korean Food. It had been at least 5 years since my last visit. The interior seemed much cleaner from what i remembered. We had fast friendly service, watched some cows being roped on tv, and our food came out fast. Just what the doctor ordered. The food was much better from what I remembered. I left wanting more. I don't understand people's need to be served everywhere they go. we ordered, she brought us delicious food. what more do you need a server to do? Also, yes your clothes are going to smell... you just cooked food right on your table... thats what happens when you cook food. you smell like the food you cook. Fact of life, figure it out. Our bill was under 25 dollars, 2 dishes, and an appetizer. Great!.
(4)Grace H.
Oh. My. Gosh. How a restaurant like this stays open (and apparently busy at that) is beyond me. Just to preface this review, I am Korean. I am currently in chicago for my brother's graduation, originally from Orange county, ca. My parents want Korean food for our first meal here so i look it up on yelp and find that cho sun ok has hundreds of ratings and a solid four stars. Looks good to me. How very very wrong I was... I wish I could give negative stars. Restaurant was full when we walked in. In a nutshell, our experience was like this: - We wait at the door for ten minutes. No greeting or acknowledgment from staff that we are new customers. We should have left when we had the chance. - We finally get seated after a waitress asks another couple to move to a smaller table so we can take theirs. I felt so bad I apologized. I saw this happen two more times throughout our dinner to other customers. I guess thats normal here.. - In five to ten minute intervals we receive our menus, chopsticks and napkins literally thrown onto our table, waters, side dishes also thrown onto our table so hard all the dishes clink and clank and almost fall off the table, and finally get our orders taken. I think.. Ok.. They're busy.. I suppose understandable. - Food comes out surprisingly quick. Everything was ok at best. At this point, we were all so hungry the nightmare of a service was forgettable. - Now throughout our dinner I keep looking at the waitresses and not a single smile. I felt like i was literally in a nightmare. But the worst was yet to come.. - My dad goes up to the register to pay for our bill so we can leave and make room for new customers waiting. The old grandpa whom I guess is the owner punches numbers and tells my dad the bill is $50. My dad pays and walks back to the table and then asks me, "did we order that much?" I calculate and our bill should have been $35. My mom offers to go up to the grandpa for our receipt since we never received one. He first adamantly tells my mom that my dad already paid for the bill and the tab is closed out so it can no longer be viewed. My mom tells him that does not make sense and finally gets him to look at our check again. It turns out he overcharged us by adding two items we never ordered. Now my mom is really flustered and asks him what was going on and the grandpa nearly yells at her "it was a mistake. I said sorry, didn't I?!!". At that point I really wanted to say something but now wanting to just get out of there ASAP, we receive our $15 back and leave. Basically, it was as if he knew we were not from the area and wanted to take advantage of us tourists. Even my parents couldn't believe a Korean would do that to fellow Koreans. Oh how money corrupts. Never ever ever again would I step in that restaurant, even if you paid me a million dollars.
(1)Thomas K.
This place decent for who never tried korean bbq! Note that you may have to wait in line if you come around dinner time, like around 7-8ish.
(3)Esther A.
Consistently good food. The service is declining, but really, if you're looking for good service, go to Alinea or the likes. Cho Sun Ok is for the folks looking for no frills good Korean food. Get the Cha Dol Pae Gi (unmarinated thinly sliced beef) cooked on a stone pot. Eat the beef with the romaine lettuce with the ssam jjang (weird looking brown paste and the green onions). Don't ask for rice because after you finish with the beef, they'll make a fried rice for you on the stone pot with kimchi and the side dishes. Wait until the rice gets nice and crusty... oh, it's so good! Also, if you are not Korean, but can handle the spicy, ask for the spicier ban chans. They'll assume that you can't handle the heat if you're not Korean.
(4)Renee S.
Love this place! Excellent food and even though staff isn't super warm, the food is great!
(4)Jon J.
I'm gonna update this just to shut down the complainers. Probably the best Korean in the city, but you gotta wait, and you gotta know what you're ordering. Here's a hint - get the chadulgui. It's what all the Koreans come to this place for. Thinly sliced beef, NOT marinated. Cook it. Put it on the scallions. Dunk in the oil, grab a marinated onion, then pop the whole thing (scallions included) into your mouth. Heaven. Polish it off with a couple bottles of OB or soju, and you're good to go. If it's too "ethnic", or they're too "mean", they go somewhere else. Cho Sun Ok is the best, always worth the wait, because it's always good.
(5)Robert S.
I was really impressed with Cho Sun Ok on a recent visit. My girl and I were out in the neighborhood and wanted to find a place that we could get a quick bite around 9:30 on a Friday. We checked out this place because we were standing right next to it. We hadn't heard anything about the place, and in fact, I didn't realize it was Korean until we went inside. The dining room was packed, even though it was almost closing time. The man at the bar asked how many, and since there were only two of us, he directed us to sit down at the only table open- a two seater. I had only had Korean once before, and at a fast-food type place, so I was immediately overwhelmed by the menu and protocol of Cho Sun Ok. We ordered some things that looked tasty, as well as some dumplings. The waitress brought out a bunch of weird vegetables and we weren't sure what they were or what we were supposed to do with them. I was really glad when the lady explained them to us, and she was very helpful and friendly with any other questions that I had. The food was beyond excellent- I could taste it for days afterward. The portions were great, and adding those weird vegetables made it fun and extra tasty. I can't wait to go back!
(5)S I.
I've been a long time lurker on Yelp. I had to start an account to comment. As I was reading the reviews on Cho Sun Ok I can't help but feel sorry for the non Koreans that have had "rude" service or stuff they didnt like here. I have been going to this place for over 15 years now. Been going since I was 10. You do the math. Anyways... Here are some things that I have to say to non Koreans that dont understand this place or any Korean restaurant. 1. No one is intentionally trying to be rude to you. Korean waitresses are known for being rude to non koreans because non koreans have the habit of lingering after their meal and they expect to be babied throughout the process when you know damn well the restaurant is packed full of people. 2. In all my years of going to this place I have never gotten anything except the chadol (thin slices of beef). Dont get the bibimbap here they arent known for that. Each restaurant is known for a certain thing. If you want good Kalbi goto SSGS etc. 3. The owner used to be a beast when it came to foreigners. I've seen him kick people out. This is going back to #1 on my list. Dont piss the guy off I want him to live and hopefully in 10 years I will be able to take my kid there. 4. If its your first time there I highly suggest taking a Korean who is fluent in Korean and knows their cuisine. Do not take an Americanized Korean they will be of no help to you. I've personally witnessed this on several occasions. i dont know if yelp has a mail function but you can email me questions if you like. I may be a bit blunt but this is coming straight from the horses mouth.
(5)Tiff W.
This place is awesome! As recommended by others we ordered #6 (chadolbaegee - unmarinated beef). My friend was a little skeptical when he heard "unmarinated" but the thin slices of meat were perfect once grilled. Not too fatty, not too lean. The rice they made with all the leftovers at the end was delicious. We also ordered japchae (vermicelli noodles) and the seafood pancake. The japchae was good, maybe a little sweet, and the seafood pancake was really good too (it was slightly oily though). It was a LOT of food for just two people and we had tons of leftovers. Service is what you expect from an Asian restaurant - they were no-nonsense and quick. Also, don't bring your jacket inside. If you do, you might want to air it out for a couple of hours afterwards.
(5)T V.
Cho Ok Sun is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Chicago. They are usually packed, so I would recommend getting there early since seating is limited. We've tried most of their dishes offered. The Korean BBQ is delicious. There is just something about the sauce and ponchon that make it so good. The best part is at the end when they make a fried rice out of your leftover stuff. One thing I wish they did have is the hot stone bi bim bop. Overall, I would encourage everyone to try this restaurant. Also, a forewarning, you will leave the restaurant smelling like korean food.
(4)Jan W.
Poor service. Waitress ignored us. Played favorites. Not worth driving from the burbs.
(1)Kim C.
I have no problem journeying out of the city for good, authentic Asian food. Cho Sun Ok totally hit the spot for me. Like the other Yelpers mentioned, the cha dol bae gi (unmarinated thin sliced beef) is your reason to go. The boyfriend and I shared an order for 2 and were so impressed by the portions! The kimchee fried rice that they made in the end (using our leftover side dishes.. ingenius!) was also delicious. Washed down all that red meat with some selleongtang (beef broth with noodles) and OB (huge bottles! only $5! win!) We came home with enough leftovers for another meal, all for less than $50 total! My worst fear when going to Korean restaurants is the disappointed looks I get when the waitresses realize that I'm not Korean (and usually I am subsequently ignored)... but not here! Stellar service even though we spoke English (gasp) only. Will definitely go back again.
(4)Suzy C.
Okay, I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, so we NEVER ate out at a Korean restaurant growing up. The great thing about Chicago is that there are some decent places to get Korean food. Some are pretty nasty (not the food, but the cleanliness of the place), and I generally skip any restaurant around Lawrence area, because a lot of restaurants there are dingy, dirty, and in bad need of a spring cleaning and a makeover. I love Cho Sun Ok b/c I love their mul nang myun which you can ask to be halved into two separate bowls. I love that you can order some soups as appetizers at $4, and I do love their meat. I'm not that crazy about their fried rice they make for you at the end of your meat, but I really do love their soups. The place seems quite clean to me and it's consistent good grub.
(4)Sonchoi H.
I love Cho Sun Ok's food. Truly. My favorite/recommended dishes are ojinguh bokkeum (squid) and cha dol bae gi (unmarinated beef). I don't really like their haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), though. And of course the waitresses make kimchi bokkumbap for you at the end. YUM. On a side note, especially for non-Koreans, the waitresses might appear to rude or in a rush. It's usually packed on the weekends and they are always rushing, sometimes you have to really try to get their attention instead of waiting on them to come to you. They don't speak English well, there have been times where they misunderstood one of our guests and became irritated. I'm a bit more understanding than some people, so fair warning. But without a doubt, the food here is great.
(4)Gary R.
I went to this little place at the recommendation of my friend, Royce who was determined that I experience Korean barbecue. It was all that he claimed and more. The food is prepared at each table on a gas fired cooktop in stone pans. The place was packed which is often a good indicator that people like the food. We had a brief wait for a table but quickly settled in. The place is BYOB so Royce bought along a bottle of Framboise beer which was another first for me. Royce ordered for the table (there were three of us) and the server quickly brought out what I can only describe as a barrage of Korean tapas dishes, many of which were slightly pickled. We also ordered a portion of both fried and boiled dumplings which came to the table freshly cooked and were delicious. A different server began to prepare our main at the table which took about 10 minutes with a total of three visits to and fro to ensure the main was properly cooked. The server told us when it was ready and we helped ourselves to some of the most flavorful and tender barbecue beef I have ever tasted! Most if not all of the Asian flavors were new and wondrous to me. I sampled something of everything that was before me and if there is any doubt, it was more of a feast than a meal. No room was left for dessert and it was not missed! Would I go again or recommend highly? To both, a resounding yes!
(4)John S.
Bear with me. This review reiterates many statements already made, but they need to be repeated to keep petulant jackasses from giving Cho Sun Ok a bad name. The food easily achieves five stars, but the service just barely ekes out two. If you dine around six o'clock you will understand why. The only way to serve this many people in such a small space and attend to the line that often sprouts from the front door requires a certain brusque efficiency, not nicey nice "take your time" cordiality. But the food is worth it. The various kimchi run the gamut from sweet to fiery and make me happy every time. Bear in mind, if you are not Korean the waitress will almost invariably ask if you know what you are ordering, and will often repeat the contents of the dish to you just in case. Don't be offended. Don't you all have a picky sibling who vomits at the taste of hot pepper? Can you imagine what he or she'd do after eating a skate fish? Also, unlike many tabletop Korean barbecues, the waitress prefer it if you don't fiddle with the food. They will cook it for you. And it will be good. And there will be fried rice at the end. This is all you must know.
(4)Donna K.
the only korean restaurant I'll give a five star to. I absolutely love cho sun ok. The place is tiny, the wait is LONG [depending on what time you go] but it is SO worth it. The side dishes are fantastic and they give you more than 3. and it's actually fresh. I always get chadorbegi, beef on stone pan. It's a lot of food for cheap price. Plus it's BYOB. I LOVE the fried rice they make at the end. It is so worth the 30+ minute wait. I go here at least twice a month. and my 5 star review is based on the thin beef and kimchi fried rice only. I don't care for anything else on the menu ;)
(5)Bill B.
Visiting from New York, I was taken here by mochimaker. We were the only customers not eating barbecue; instead, we ordered yukaejang and bibimnaengmyun. Both dishes were very tasty and the panchan was more bounteous than I have come to expect, living in New York. Sadly, they only served OB, even though the beer glasses have Hite labels.
(4)Green G.
2 reasons I'm not giving 5 stars... There are better Korean places in LA...much better. If you're not Korean, you will be treated like a 2nd class citizen. I don't know who they treat worse, other Asian ethnicities (which I am) or non-Asians. Other than that, food is pretty good, price is damn good for a Korean place (and dinner place), atmosphere very good for family albeit kind of cramped and service ok (they seem to not like to pour a FULL glass of water). To you people who say I shouldn't compare LA asian places to Chicago asian places, I ask...why not? Cho Sun Ok is owned by Koreans but the food is made by Mexicans. Sounds just like your typical LA Korean restaurant, why should I rate either one differently. Don't get me started on Asian food in other Midwest cities (I'm looking at you MIlwaukee). At least for places in Chicago, I'm not wishing Yelp had negative stars to give. Summary - Cho Sun Ok is an excellent restaurant that will fulfill both Korean and non-Korean's needs for authentic, basic Korean food. Though the menus lacks a tad (due to the fact that some Korean food can be a little TOO authentic for the Midwest palate), it's definitely a place YOU (Korean food lover) should go and a place I'd go back to (and I still do) again. Korean pancake appetizer - Pretty good Small dishes (not sure what this is usually called) - Good variety but I've had better Pork bulgogi (spelled wrong) - A little leaner meat than I usually like but good Galbi - Good but not great Buckwheat cold noodle - Really good if you're into that type of thing Stone-cooked meat - I think this is really good, even if you're not using an authentic cooker Various tofu soups - Not as good as other places in Chicago, a little lacking in spiciness (probably they assume if you're not Korean you won't want it spicy). But it's worth the price if you're really really craving it. Marinating - Seems adequate, not sure how to judge this one I'll let the real Koreans tell you yelpers how it is, but al the meats are marinated enough to taste good
(4)Julia H.
This was a completely unique experience. It would be a great place to bring a first date, or a group of friends. The meat, though I did not eat it, was extremely fresh and sliced thin, and they cook it as a community meal right there in front of you... Assorted sauces. I got a tofu spicy soup with clams, complete with clam shells. The beers (HITE brand) were cold and the Korean shots were taken with fresh squeezed limes. Service is incredible. MAKE a reservation!! This place gets busy busy.
(4)Nona Gayle D.
MEEEEAAAAAAAT... this place fills you up! they give you so much meat that you don't even need the fried rice they make for you at the end of the meal. it is well priced, about 25 dollars for meat enough for 2 people. The side dishes are flavorful and also accompany the meal well. The restaurant itself is small but it is worth the wait if you can get it. Be prepared to eat, cook, and smell like korean bbq... because you will....
(4)Eric V.
Albeit the food quality, i cannot honestly say that i had an enjoyable experience here. Firstly, they stuffed my table of seven into the corner of the restaurant right next to the grill/prep station. So, throughout the entire meal, the waitstaff was continuously shoving past me, which is ESPECIALLY annoying when you are trying to eat. I do understand this is inevitable in a cramped restaurant (which by the way exceeded its 50 person occupancy limit), but the fact they did not apologize or even flinch about these mishaps spoke volumes about the personality governing this staff. Secondly, while I'm still on the waitstaff, this rudeness extended into all other aspects of dining. Requesting more water was a 20 minute, 3 request endeavor. The staff was complaining to us because half our party was 20 minutes late. The waitress grabbed the tongs out of my girl friends hands without asking for it. And the list keeps on going. Thirdly, the only positive aspect about this place was the food quality. But honestly, it is quite similar to other Korean BBQ joints which makes this positive obsolete. So in all, my experience was extremely poor and i can confidently say that i will never return to this restaurant. My advice: If personality is an important factor for your dining experience, go elsewhere.
(2)Cindy D.
Tried something different on a double date my hubby and I were having. The marinated beef (thickly sliced) was VERY good. Actually better than the thinly, more popular, non-marinated version. Give it a whirl next time you are there.
(4)J. L.
$32 including tip for TWO plus plenty of leftovers for friend's hubby Awesome chadolbaegi. They don't give you lettuce, but the housemade dwenjang is killer and the kimchi fried rice they finish you off with is also great. The doraji banchan was totes fresh. Tasted like my grandma just yanked them up from her garden. Wish the serving ahjummas were a bit less talkative, but this is about as close as you get to an authentic Korean restaurant in a city that's usually disappointing in its offerings of the real stuff.
(4)Rusty S.
This place is incredible. I mean, as with most Korean places, the one piece of advice I have is: Be Korean. Or, failing that, be with someone Korean (this is what I try to do!). A third, sub-optimal plan might be "speak Korean fluently (actually fluently)," but I'm not super-sure that's even gonna work. But definitely don't be like "oh, I taught in English in Korea so I know what's up" becuase that's probably even worse than being not-Korean and with zero Koreans. And, I mean... if you go here in the latter style and are pissed off about the service, then you kind of seriously only have yourself to blame. But for real: food = awesome.
(5)Max P.
I really liked their bulgigi and fried Mandu (Korean dumplings). We got to grill the bulgogi at our table which is always the best. I did not give 5 stars because our waitress was super pushy with a huge language barrier. I know some Korean which saved us but if you have a Korean friend, bring them with as they will be a huge help. I would definitely go again.
(4)Jarod P.
Well, son, let me tell you: if you've never had Korean BBQ, Cho Sun Ok is a good place to start. And if you don't know what to expect and aren't sure if you should try it, I'll put it to you like this: do you love grilled meat, and do you fantastize about a server bringing out like 30 dishes that look like the stuff the Klingons would eat on Star Trek: The Next Generation? Well of course you do! The dishes I refer to are the ban chan, the many mysterious side dishes that are a part of every meal here. You may recognize one of them as kim chi, but the rest are seriously like sci-fi set dressing. But all delicious. There's one that's sort of like potato salad but has apples in it, I think. Another looks like strips of tofu but I believe it's called "fish cakes." I could eat nothing but the fish cakes and walk out of here happy. The many meats you can order at Cho Sun OK are very good, but not the best around (I prefer San Soo Gab San, I find their meat just a bit juicier and more savory.) But the ban chan at Cho Sun Ok seem fresher and more flavorful than any I've had. The jab chae noodles are wicked good, too. You suburban Kraft mac n cheese types might look upon a meal like this with fear and derision. Well, man up, I tell you! For, as the Klingons say, "Mch'tab keuklich!" Yeah, actually they don't say that, I just made it up. Sucker!
(4)Leo E.
The food was mediocre at best, servers were rude and didn't have anything to say, I don't think any of them spoke English... The restaurant was empty and I still was made to sit by the door; very cold draft at my back. I ordered a side of vermicelli noodles and was charged $11 for it, when I told the server about it she said just noodles or full dish are the same price, that was the biggest rip-off I've ever experienced in dining. I will not return, lots of other good spots for Korean around the city.
(1)Minners N.
Typical Korean restaurant for BBQ, nothing spectacular or different from any other restaurant. Rating bumped down for the awful service, perhaps due to the fact that we had no Koreans in our party that could communicate with them. Food is good, same as anywhere else. Long waits for a pretty small sized restaurant. Most of my Korean friends seem to really love it here. I'm not quite sure why....
(3)Gina L.
As a Korean, I know my Korean food. You'll have to take my word for it. This place is my favorite place for Korean food in Chicago. But when I go to Cho Sun Ok, I only get the same one thing - the cha dol bae gi (sliced beef). There's something extraordinary about it all: starting with the cold yoolmoo (a type of kimchi) soup appetizer, the pa moochim (green onion salad/topping), the meat and last but not least the fried rice that they make at the end with all the leftovers. Be sure to save some room for that! The fried rice is made with butter. I once tried taking out the butter (in an effort to be healthy) and it does NOT taste the same. So leave it in there. Bad service and leaving the place with smelly clothes is to be expected as with most Korean restaurants.
(5)Jeff K.
Only my second time to a Korean BBQ. This place is great. You will have to wait in line most of the time some come early or at off times. If you are looking to try something different and a bit unique this is the place. They do have a small menu but the dishes are good and very filling. Your clothes will smell like the place when you are done. I have been so spoiled by the smoking ban that I forgot what it's like to have your clothes smell when you walk out of a place. At least it's a good smell. I would tell you what I had if I could actually remember what it was. I will tell you it was marinated beef and it was very good. I actually let the people I was with choose. Great place to go with a few friends...
(4)Yaeko M.
Good food for less money! I love it! I go once in a month in average. The volume of food is Wow! great! The food is very fresh. I loved authentic korean small dishes. The waitress makes Kimuchi fried rice at the end. The bad part is the place is small, and no reservation accepted. It's a popular place so you sometime need to wait for long. I waited 30min outside. The good part is even it's BYOB, there is Jewel next door!
(5)Tiffany L.
love it here! i have no idea what i've ordered here, but it's always good. my favorite is when they make the fried rice out of your leftovers in the end. genius. my only complaint is that the place is teeny tiny and dinner is always a long wait. i went once for a lunch and it was much less busy.
(4)George D.
The food is very good here. The atmosphere maybe even deserves extra points, because it exceeds your expectations. Normally when you go to an ethnic place with and ethnic name and crappy exterior, you expect to be a little nervous about cleanliness inside. Not a problem here, the interior is bright and clean. Although, with all the tabletop barbecuing going on here, you do leave smelling like food, which is always irritating. I get that this is a neighborhood place where actual Koreans go to get actual Korean food. (We were there on a Monday night, and every table was full, and we were the only white people there). But we really felt a little unwelcome, like everyone else was getting better, faster service than we were. Maybe it wasn't intentional... the waitress wasn't very good with English, and so maybe she was self-conscious about it or something. But whatever the reason, it's not fun to eat at a place where you feel out of place and underappreciated as a customer. I actually do want to come back... next time, I'll just bring my Korean friend with me.
(3)Serena T.
This place is so close to where I live and I finally got a chance to go here last week. I'm not a big meat person but I have to admit that the beef dish that everyone seems to rave about was very tasty. It's thinly sliced and very tender and has a hint of flavor. They offer small appetizer dishes along with your entrees so you feel like your getting much more than you ordered. Overall I thought this place was great because it definitely has an authentic feel to it as we seemed to be the only non-Korean people in the place! I will definitely go back and try some other dishes that looked appetizing.
(4)kahee y.
it helps to go with a fellow korean or someone that knows a staff member, because then youll get more banchan! of all the korean bbq places in the chicago land area, cho sun ok has the highest quality of meat, is the cleanest, and has the most variety of banchans. the chadolbeggi is THE meat to get; perfect amount of fat and sliced thinly to it's perfect width. so affordable and so much food!
(4)Don J.
Just heard Cho Sun OK was closed temporaily by the Health Department in early 2010. They can kiss my rosy behind goodbye, never going to go there again. Please see what I thought of this restaurant before the Health Department gave it a kick in the butt. Probably the best Korean restaurant in Chicago. Their meat is top quality, cooked tableside and all of the food is freshly prepared that morning. While the decor is extremly getto (think 1980s stlye) and you will need to wait to get a table this shouldn't put you off coming here. Their unmarinated beef is amazing and the "burnt" rice they serve near the end of your meal is great (yes I am not asian and I always thought burnt rice should go straight into a trash can). The service will be fast but not friendly as they are too busy dealing with the full restaurant. I have never been to a restaurant like this before but I will go back again.
(4)Anna J.
I used to like this place. And i haven't been there for a few months and then i wanted some Korean food so i went there recently. maybe i expected too much. food was below okay- the quality of meat wasn't that great, the Cha dol bak e we got wasn't like Cha dol bak e at all, it was meat without any fat and that's not how it's supposed to be as Cha dol bak e. But other soup i had was okay. I didn't tell servers about the food because their service was horrible and I just didn't want to talk to them. Even though there were not many people at the time, they were not paying attention to people at the restaurant. When one of the servers was making the fried rice after the meat, she moved so fast with too much of power, some rice and Kimchi were flying and it offended me so much. It seemed like they wouldn't care even though i told them about the meat and their attitude based on their behavior. It was like they were telling me : finish eating and go away. I disliked their attitude so much, I just erased this restaurant from the list of my favorite restaurants. This place used to be so much better. I seriously made an account because my last experience at the restaurant was just too shockingly terrible to me.
(2)Jenny D.
stopped in for a quick lunch. you don't really think "k bbq" and "quick" would go together, but it worked out for us at Cho Sun Ok. service was friendly and fast, the server was attentive and brought our banchan out right away. we opted for her to cook the meat for us, because she uses a salamander oven and it's done faster. (usually we cook it ourselves, but we were short on time that day) The pancakes were delicious, lots of seafood and fillings. Pork fried rice was ok, I kept getting tasting something overly salty. Fried dumplings were delicious. not too heavy, and the sauce was good. Bulgogi was very tendor and juicy. delicious, cheap, filling. ... and according to my fellow yelp-ers its also a BYOB (typical for most small asian restaurants) that is a definite plus! can't wait to go back again =)
(4)Ruben W.
it was very good food very good korean pancake and beef not good for kids under 8 there is a burner in the middle of the table or theres one on the side its very hot there service could be a little better we had to wait for the check for a long time but the food was good. inside its a bit smokey
(3)Robert E.
3.5 stars and rounded up. Cool, fun, happening scene inside. Not many tables so it's always crowded. Sometimes the service is good, sometimes the service comes with an attitude. The food is why you go here and it's great. I love Korean BBQ and I love to cook my own food, can't blame the chef if it sucks! It's BYOB and if you go at peak hours there might be a wait but it's definitely worth it!
(4)Debbie H.
I love Korean bbq. There, I said it. I am neither Korean, nor really like BBQ'ing, but put those two together and -- voila! CSO is a good place and the closest Korean BBQ to me, so I've been a few times. I tend to agree with the other reviews about the service; not very friendly if you're not of Korean descent. Which, in other nationalities, is deplorable...so why would this be ok here? However, the dumplings, bulgogi and Korean pancake are somewhat too good to pass up. I'll deal with the hate crime to get my little chopsticks on that BBQ'd up meat. I love the generous amount of sauce and garlic as well, and the kimchee is always nicely spicy. The major thing I think CSO is missing that other Korean BBQs around provide is the lettuce leaves to wrap the meat in along with the peanut "spread" and garlic. Now THAT is heavenly.
(3)Laetitia L.
this place was the first korean restaurant i tried in chicago and will always have a special place in my heart. but even without that signifier, i'm a fan of cho sun ok. the banchan is refreshing and done right. and like the others said, the jadolbaegi is great and the grill meats in general are juicy and savory. i usually zero in on the stews, though, even in the summertime and the soondoobu chigae there is flavorful and comforting. the staff is strict with me, almost maternal with me in an endearing way. one time i asked for a banchan i don't like (the agar stuff that my mom made me eat when i was a kid) to be taken away and the waitress told me in stern Korean that i needed to finish it. and so i did.
(4)Happiness L.
What a surprise find thanks to a smart phone! My friend and I were thinking about where we wanted to go for dinner and he mentioned Korean food...using our smart phones we found this place and based on Yelp reviews decided to check it out. After standing in line for about 30 min we got a table. Don't expect an explanation of all the side dishes...very basic give me your order type service...perfect for this restaurant. Lots of people...no reservations...just get in line and wait for a table...no list of names either. Food was so very yummy. Ambiance is perfect casual and byob. For sure I will go back and very much looking forward to it.
(4)Christine P.
I would have to say that this place is one of the best korean restaurants in Chicago. It's also one of the few that fries the rice for you at the end. (Which both my boyfriend and I are huge fans of!) They also have better side dishes (ban chan) than most of the korean restaurants I've ever been to in Chi-town. Weekends are packed for dinner and you can end up having to wait for about 45 minutes so go on a weekday if you want to avoid the rush. Prices are also reasonable. Just wish there were multiple locations! :o)
(5)Annie S.
I really don't understand why this place is so popular!!! Ok I'm Korean so I think I know the food pretty well and I think their food isn't that great. The last time I came here was for my friend's bday dinner and luckily we didn't have to wait for a table. I felt bad because it was SO CROWDED and the line was out the door, but I know that's pretty normal. So anyways, I ended up ordering tofu seafood soup while everyone else got ribeye (cha dol ba gee), which is what they are known for. The soup was very spicy and I didn't like it. I also didn't like the side dishes that came with the meal--- the selection wasn't good and it was pretty salty. Yeah I don't know why I dislike this place so much but whatever, to each his own! I recommend Woo Chon!
(1)Scott H.
Went here with a couple of friends which included a Korean girl so our experience could have been better than others. We ordered tons of food and once we were tired of grilling on our own, our attentive waitress quickly cooked up the rest and made an impromptu little fried rice dish for us tableside. Loved the food, the Korean beer and the company here. Now I wouldn't hesitate to return, even without an "ambassador" in tow.
(4)aldrich b.
Bottom line....great food, questionable service. The place is small and kind of divey, but this is a place you get your grub on...not where you go on a date. I've been to this place a number of times and the quality of food has been really good most of the time. I think there was one time where I thought the meat was too fatty....but that's like once in like 10-12 visits. I would definitely recommend the chadol gui which is thin slices of unmarinated beef that you cook on a stone plate. The side dishes, or pan chan(sp?), that you get are pretty extensive and it comes with the meal. The type of side dishes you get varies sometimes, but you usually get the cabbage kimchi, radishes, either potato or apple salad, sliced fish cakes, and sliced spring onions. The best part is that after you're done cooking all the meat, they'll take some of the left over kimchi and make kimchi fried rice at your table where you were cooking. I always save some extra meat to eat with the rice....so good. The service is always hit or miss. It's always better when they're not busy, but you will get the occasional long wait for more water or they forget that you ordered a drink. It is what it is.....I'm not saying it's right, but I've been to places with worse service then here.
(4)Vivian Y.
Super tasty! Great service! We were luck to come here at about 6pm and avoided the line up out the door within 30mins. this is on a school night too kids! I went with Korean people and they knew what they were ordering. Everything was delicious! HIghly recommended. Wear clothes you don't care about cuz you will smell like food afterwards. but worth it..I swear!
(5)David W.
After changing a flat tire last Saturday we were definitely ready for a hearty meal. What better on a hot dirty sweaty day than some Korean BBQ. We arrived at Cho Sun Ok at around 5:45PM and just beat the rush. We were seated immediately. We ordered the Bulgogi, which serves two. Just minutes after ordering the kim chee blitzkrieg began. Included in the price of your meal is a bunch of small dishes. A few things pickled, a few things spicy, and a uber delicious potato apple salad. The waitress then delivered our Bulgogi to the hot rock pan on our personal burner at our table. The cooking and the smelling begin! The Bulgogi was delicious, but I was disappointed that they don't do the fried rice at the end when you order Bulgogi. The décor is traditional Korean? I can't really speak intelligently on the interior design philosophy of Korea. My only experience consists of a 3 hour layover in the airport in Seoul. However, the design of Cho Sun Ok is what I'd like to think would be typical in a Korean restaurant in Korea. The service was "prompt". Is prompt a good word when trying to really mean a bit rude and trying to rush us out? I've been Cho Sun Ok several times before and this type of service is what I'd consider par for the course. If you can put up with "prompt" service and smelling like beef after your meal then Cho Sun Ok is for you. I know I can. 1 Bulgogi for 2 -------------------------- $32.00
(3)Nancy B.
This place is really good. I'm 1/2 Korean so I've been eating Korean food all my life. My favorite here is their bi bim bop and bulgolgi. However, the bulgolgi that you cook up at your table is just average. The good stuff is the bulgolgi that THEY cook up for you on the back grill by the entrance. It has a unique flavor that is highly addictive. If you are picky about bathrooms, make sure you go before you get here. To get to the 1 bathroom , you need to walk through the kitchen.
(5)Louie D.
Great Korean restaurant in Chicago. A diamond in the rough. Make sure you get some soju and the cold buckwheat noodles in a broth. This place is hard to find parking tho. Check out this post from one of my compadres: tinyurl.com/kneq44
(4)Aileen V.
This place is pretty tasty. Or it could have been that it was the first time we actually ate in about 10 hours. We had alot of cinnamon raisin bread to hold us over till then. Anyways.. this was our first chicago restaurant when we landed. It was right across the street from Natalie T.'s mom's friend's coffee shop and we couldn't say no. We ordered the unmarinated beef option for two, so it was two orders for the four of us. They give you so much food for what you pay its ridiculous! We had plenty leftover. The food was a bit salty, but it was still yummy, none-the-less! The service was great, really friendly. You have to literally pass through the kitchen to get to the bathroom, and I can vouch that it's pretty clean. The table was kind of small and they cook it for you on the table and my sweater smelt of the beef the rest of my trip in rememberance of this place.
(4)Bradley J.
Definitely go with a Korean - not only will they be able to tell you what's in all the little dishes, they can keep up with the seemingly impatient staff. Also, leave jackets/extra clothes in the car, since they will smell like whatever you ate for a good long time after you've pooped out the meal.
(4)miki s.
The food here is fantastic. A great place to go out with a small group of friends (4-6 ppl) My friends and I dine here every other week, we always order chadolgui to share. The meal comes with banchan and after the beef from the chadolgui is done cooking the waitress makes a kimchi fried rice on the stone pan at your table. I like to let the rice sit for 3 minutes so the bottom of the rice crisps up and slightly burn (soooooo good). The service is okay. The waitresses are fast and efficient, not too big on talking, but I don't mind it. They always take good care of us. Things I've eaten here: Chadolgui for two $24.95 --- this is awesome I get it every time Sundubu $6.95 ---- very yummy spicy seafood tofu soup Kalbi $15.95 --- tastes amazing but better eat it fast doesn't taste good when cold Bulgogi $10.95 --- not as great as other restaurants, you're better off with the kalbi Yukaejang $6.95 --- great flavor, the beef is a little tough but still tastes good Mul Naeng Myeon $6.95 --- I see almost every Korean in this restaurant ordering this so it must be good. I liked it but cold soup and chewy noodles just aren't for me. Maybe I'll develop a taste for it later. I suggest coming in at before 6:30pm, it tends to be pretty packed almost every night.
(4)Carol K.
Korean bbq among other delicious dishes at it's best. Cho Sun Ok is tasty, affordable and fun for groups. This place gets super packed so beware if it's the weekend. It'll either be a long wait, like a line out of the front door down the block kinda wait (it's a smaller place). Either way it's worth the wait so get your chop sticks sharpened and get ready to cook!
(4)R K.
I get excited about going to places to eat where little to no English is spoken. I feel like it means that the restaurant is too focused on the food to be bothered with things like catering to non-native diners and their Americanized ways. I did not grow up with Korean food so I can in no way speak to the authenticity of this place, but who can find fault in massive amounts of tasty food (most of which is meat)? Whenever I've gone here, my friend orders all the food (in Korean) so I have to be proactive about learning about what I'm eating. I still managed to forget half of what we got! here is what i remember (and recommend): bulgogi- super thin, well seasoned beef, the korean pancake (i really don't think there was another name for it), and suhn dubu (seafood soup). at the end of the meal, they will take all the leftover sides and rice and toss it on the grill with the remaining meat and it's really good (my version of beebimbop). I've been to a few of Korean BBQ's in this area. There are some good ones (like San Soo Gab San) but this is my favorite!
(5)Natalie T.
I came here with my mom, her friend and Aileen V after a long flight to Chicago. It wasn't what I was expecting since I wanted to go to Hot Dougs, but hey, her friend wanted to take us there so of course we went. It was really good here. They are really cheap and the quality is great. All the little dishes they had were good and the ladies there cook your meat for you the whole time. The quantity along with quality is really great! For two people for $25, you'll get more than you can eat. At the end they make kim chi fried rice which is pretty good too!
(4)Jazz V.
It's been some time since I've eaten here. I could never forget the experience, though, partly because I am in love with Korean BBQ! My two dinner mates and I ordered the pajeon and the bulgogi. First of all, they're portions are HUGE! Those two dishes stuffed the three of us and we still had leftovers. The pajeon was delicious and everything I could ask for in this dish. The bulbogi was good, but does not stand out from other bulgogi I've had. The banchan was also very tasty. I was a bit disappointed to find out that if you just order the bulgogi and not the chadolgogi, they bring the rice out with the meat so you don't get the fried rice at the end! Also, I think they would benefit greatly if they just made the place a little larger... I personally have no problem with the service. I appreciated the promptness and efficiency. I'm not a fan of servers who give you fake smiles and stay to chat-- just take my order, bring my food fast, and keep my cup filled I could have sworn that our server filled my water from like 3 feet away! I was astounded as I watched the stream of water fly form her pitcher into my cup like those jumping water fountains at Navy Pier. That, my friend, is skill.
(4)Joey R.
Anyone who doesn't give this place a 5 must be clueless when it comes to Korean food. This is the best Korean spot I have found East of the Mississippi and BY FAR without any argument the best place in the midwest for Korean food. I went to a few other places on my own and finally called upon the duties of some local Korean friends I have that brought me here. The food was great (Kalbi, Bulgogi, Kimchi pancakes) and whatever else I tried to stuff my face with was amazing. The ladies that serve you were so much fun and kept trying to give me tips on how to pick up Korean ladies and kept letting me know that my Korean needed a ton of work (which it does). Then after I thought the amazement of this place was over they took our leftover dishes and mixed them in our cooking pot with rice to make a special fried rice type dish. Now this is not very Korean traditional per say but it looked yummy. Sadly I left it on the subway or somewhere and never got to try it but that was a cool +1 to the place. Check out my pics of the food, yumm! This is one of my 2 Chicago spots that are a MUST VISIT when I am in town.
(5)Sayantan B.
Really some of the best Korean BBQ I have had. The service is not restaurant-like but its probably like home, where your mum indicates you to not make a fuss and eat your food like a good boy...no special over the top attention - only 'Here's your food - eat it!'...But then just like mum's cooking - REALLY good food doesn't require good service! The bulgogi was extremely well marinated and cooked on the table on a hot stone plate. In fact, I would recommend if you go to this place then just go for the Korean BBQ because some of the other dishes that my friends ordered, though good, were not as fantastic as the BBQ. The BBQ is their speciality and they do it very well. Also if not opting for the BBQ I would recommend the beef or pork dishes as some of the chicken or fish dishes may not suit all palates. There is of course a line that stretches to the outside and you should definitely consider a 45 min wait during peak periods. Also if you get the Korean BBQ they make a fried rice on that hot stone plate with your leftovers, that you can get in a doggy bag. But we did not get that. Why? Coz we had literally finished everything! And there was not a morsel left!
(5)Y L.
Decent food, BAD service. I had a lot of Korean friends growing up and definitely have plenty of experience with Korean BBQ. The food at CSO is pretty good, the cold noodles, bulgogi and the seafood pancake are my faves. The service leaves a lot to be desired!! If you are not Korean you just don't get treated very well. When they bring out the kimchi they will only give you the "American" types and the portions are much smaller that they will provide to their Korean customers. I always ask for some extras and usually get it, except for the one time where the server told me that they were out of the green onion and ten brought some out for another customer. If you are looking for authentic KB, you will find it here just don't expect too much of the service and be prepared to ask for the things you really want (sometimes more than once). I will still go there on occasion but there are better places out there.
(3)Janet L.
This place is SO delicious. We could tell that it was a hit by the long line for the restaurant. It's a bit cozy inside, but the service was fine and speedy. The air vents never work at Korean BBQ places, so keep your fancy clothes at home. They cook the kalbi for you instead of letting you grill it on your own, but it was still amazing. Chopchae was good, and so were the side dishes. For some reason we didn't get the lettuce leaves or sauce for the bulgolgi/rice, but maybe they just don't serve it that way...? I definitely like the food here better than San Soo Gab San, and it's a lot easier to get to. It's always a good idea to have someone Korean in your party (if possible :oP), but it probably doesn't matter that much at this restaurant. Good value for the amount of food you get. If only it were bigger... This place is BYOB (unlike San Soo Gab San) - we doublechecked with the waitress before whipping out our wine, but we also ordered some soju. Get here early if you don't want to be waiting in line outside.
(4)Sang H.
Cho Sun Ok is a great restaurant that is really crowded, but the quality of food is great. The place is BYOB, and because the place is so busy, the staff is really quick and straight to the point.
(4)Alex B.
Have you ever had a restaurant review defined not by what you ordered, but by what you didn't? I ordered the Bibimbap, which was wholly adequate and good, and my companion had an delicious soup that was so spicy that it was nearly inedible. But was I happy? I say "hell no". Why? Because I didn't get one of the "orders for two" where they cook the food at your table. All of it looked great- I was amazed with the amount of food that the other patrons (all asian) where putting away. They had all order the meals "for two" where you cook your own food at the table. Also the kimchee f'd me up- it exploded in my mouth. The only downside to this byob joint is the lack of ventilation- I've spent all day smelling like burnt soy sauce from the "dinner for two"s cooking at other people's tables!!!!
(4)Kristin S.
Great food for a VERY cheap price. I will say that I spent an EXTENSIVE amount of time doing research before heading here since it was my first time at a Korean BBQ or Korean restaurant in general. I read almost all the yelp reviews which were incredibly helpful. We got there at 7:30 on a Friday night, even though I know that's one of the busiest times. There were only two parties ahead of us in line, but we did have to wait for about 40 minutes for a table since the place is so small. I was pleasantly surprised about the decor, though. From the outside and from some reviews, I was expecting it to be pretty sad looking. I actually thought it looked relatively clean and nice, though it is very small. When we sat down, we ordered the unmarinated beef strps for 2 since that's what I heard was their specialty. The server brought out the 10 bowls of assorted veggies, etc. and was definitely not interested in telling us what they were or if there were directions on how to eat anything, so we just started picking at everything and I was really happy at how good they all were. The beef was brought out and the oil on the cooking stone was smoking, so still unsure what to do, we just started throwing some meat on the grill. Eventually a server came over and seemed perturbed we'd started on our own, but not in a mean way. She threw more meat and the garlic cloves on the stone pot and really got things cooking for us. She did show us how to eat the beef (dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper mixture, pick up some shredded scallions and some marinated onion/jalepeno stuff, cram it in your mouth). It was delicious. We stuffed ourselves with the meat and they came over to make the famous fried rice. I was so sad that I really didn't like the kimchi fried rice. It must be the kimchi because the flavor was just nothing like I'd expect from fried rice, and I didn't really like it. That's just my personal taste though. Don't go expecting the fried rice you've had anywhere else, cause this ain't it. Otherwise, I loved the experience and am planning to go again with a couple more people. It's a good place for small groups (4-6) and a fun experience to share. It's also BYOB so the bill ends up being so small for all the food you get! Definitely try it, but if you're unfamiliar, do your research because I didn't hear much English at all the whole 2 hours we were there. Oh, and you do end up smelling like food, but I have that same experience at the Melting Pot, so any time you're cooking at your table, you're gonna smell like food afterwards. We just left our coats in the car and were fine.
(4)Jims L.
I went at around 7:00 on a Saturday for dinner and had to wait 45 minutes - an hour in the cold (because the tiny foyer was already packed with other people) for a table. But I love that if you order the chadeolbaegi (apparently what they're known for), not only do they give you a LOT, in the end they cook the left overs with rice and sauce to make something like a fried rice that is also delicious! Though I didn't ever get my water refilled throughout the entire dinner, and they don't give as many banchan as I would like, I was really stuffed and pleased at the end.
(4)Bill L.
OK... So here is the situation. I don't usually make it a habit to venture far out of the Gold Coast just to try a restaurant, but today I made the exception. My Yelp friend Andrew B.'s stellar review coupled with my Korean co-worker's nodding approval justified making the special trip all the way out to Lincoln Square. Let me say that these two gents did not steer me wrong. I once heard a real estate agent describe a house as a lovely cottage. Apparently cottage is real estate euphemism for small and neat. Well cottage certainly does describe this place... A lovely Korean cottage. Patron's should not expect the waitstaff to laud over you and apologize for every slight, real or imagined. If you keep these points in mind you should have a great time, if not there is an Olive Garden in Schaumburg with your name all over it. We ordered the bulgulgi BBQ for two. The meal came with an assortment of bowls filled with kimchee and various other spiced pickled delights. The quality of the meat was high. Having it cooked directly in front of us added not only to the ambiance but also gave us a sense of anticipation for what was about to come. As we had little experience with Korean BBQ we were not sure of the proper eating protocol. Were we supposed to nibble on the side dishes while waiting for our meat to finish cooking or were those side dishes to be mixed in with the meat once it was finished cooking? For whatever reason we decided that the side dishes were indeed part of the main course and that we should wait for the meat to finish cooking before eating them; however, we could scarcely keep ourselves from nibbling on the side dishes and mid way through the cooking process started engorging ourselves on them. So why isn't a Korean BBQ on every corner? This is the question that is going to keep me up tonight. Even after hacking and slashing our way west on Irving Park Rd. through Cubs traffic, it was well worth the trip and I look forward to bringing my friends along next time.
(5)C P.
Have eaten here several times. The food is okay. My complaint is more with the service. It tends to be rude and rushed even for Korean standards. Whenever we come with Korean friends, the service is a much friendlier. However, when we come by ourselves, the service is poor. For Korean food with better service I recommend San Soo Gap San. If you need to come here, I suggest bringing Korean people with you.
(2)Tuya S.
This is perhaps one of the few Korean restaurants which caters wide clientele including both local koreans and other random folks. Due to and not limited to its convenient location, that is close to yuppie hub, compared to other further north Korean restaurants (and there are many of them up north) the establishment attracts both experts and amateurs of Korean cuisine. The kitchen prepares excellent food. BUT BE PREPARED to wait at least half hour in line on busy weekends and evenings. Because of the size of the dining area and due to the popularity of its BBQ dishes unfortunately the average wait time might feel like forever. The taste of food is well worth the wait and fresh. I am usually religious about my baby octopus dish; my impression is that they choose not to sacrifice freshness for the sake of marination.
(4)Laura H.
So, my husband has been raving about Korean barbecue for awhile now. I kept hearing the terms "bulgogi" and "kimchi" but had no clue what language he was speaking. Well, tonight I found out and now can understand his infatuation. I have to admit I was a little leery at first, my friends had said that they heard reviews that the restaurant overcharged and badly treated white people. Well, to clear up any confusion:I am as white as they get and I thought that the service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the numerous condiments were as plentiful at our table as any other table in the restaurant. My guess is that the bad reviews were due to the people not knowing what to order. I decided to go with the bulgogi (marinated beef) and had no regrets. The meat was very tasty. The price was so good for all the food that you get. I am sadly about to move out of Chicago. When I come back to visit, this place will be in the top three of places I would like to eat.
(4)Seong Y.
Well first of all, I am Korean.. so my viewpoint might be somewhat biased, but I pick Chosun Ok as one of the best Korean restaurant in US as long as couple of places in LA and SF. While living in Michigan in past years, it has been always my first destination whenever I have any chance to go to Chicago. (4-5 Hours of driving is a quick run when you think you can reach this restaurant) This restaurant is not much a friendly place if you eat in single, but if you are with couple of buddies who loves beef (especially Chadol- the thinest beef cut), this is definite a pig out place to check for. Thinking of Chadol and fried rice with stone fan with cold noodle (you can ask the split.. order one dish and ask for spilit in serving) is always making my mouth full of water
(5)Jared J.
I thought it was very good. Service was good, and we had no Koreans with us. We actually BYOBed a whole bottle of vodka and a 2 liter of soda water- they brought glasses of ice and refills of ice throughout the meal. They also did the majority of the grilling for us, which was very nice. Had the Cha Deul Bae-gi. Definitely get this. It is an order for 2, but this worked well for 3 after ordering an appetizer. We also had the Kalbi (short ribs)- they were excellent and cooked in the kitchen so that they came out just right. We also ordered the steamed potstickers which were pretty good. The ban chan was good, not great, and as read in other reviews, gets combined with fried rice at the end of the Chad Deul Bae-gi.
(5)Kyung P.
I'm Korean. With that said, here are a couple of tid-bits about Korean people: 1) We are impatient, especially if we are hungry. 2) We want food, fast, then after we're done eating, we leave fast. The servers are not rude. They just try to be as efficient as possible, to get as many people seated and fed. It is just a cultural difference. I always order the same thing when I eat here: 1) Chadolbaegi (a marbled cut of meat, not marinated, cooked on stone pot) 2) Mul nengmyun (buckwheat noodles in cold broth) If you have never had Korean food, I would stick to the traditional meat dishes, the cold noodle dish is an acquired taste. After you're done eating the yummy chadolbaegi with all of the side dishes, you get rice! My favorite part of the meal. The rice is cooked on the stone pot (same one you cooked your meat on) with kimchi and a few other leftover veggies from your table, and you basically get fried rice, made at your table! (This is all included in the cost of the chadolbaegi!!!) Warning: you will be burping up Korean food for the rest of the night. Cho Sun Ok is not trendy, and you're not paying to be somewhere upscale. If you can, bring a Korean friend with you (everyone should have at least one of those!)!
(5)Andrew B.
The food is still outstanding.... but... I have to revise my review based on brutal service. On two occasions now our waitress has actually refused to give recommendations and looked incredulous when we asked. To refill our water glass, our last waitress bent her hand into a claw shape and just held it there in front my face until we figured out that she wanted us to stick the water glass in her hand. No please. No thank you. Just a claw and a look of irritated impatience.
(3)John B.
Interesting place. Three of us went with two bottles of 2buckChuck on Wednesday night. Service: The waitress provided the most gracious and accommodating service we have experienced in a long time. Kidding. She was surly, but the service was okay. Not good, but not as bad as some review describe. This was not a weekend evening, but the place was full and all the waitresses were running. In any case, I can't give this a place for service. Food: We ordered #6 for three (i.e. divide the price for two by two and multiply by 3). The waitress brought a plate stacked with thinly sliced beef and covered the table with at least 15 small dishes with various vegetables. She slapped down several slices of beef into the hot pan which was meant, I think, a wordless how to lesson. We took it from there. Eventually N asked about the rice and the waitress returned with a small dish of some secret stuff and a bowl of rice. She dumped it into the hot pan, stirred it and left. Eventually she returned and stirred in some of the remains from the small plates. The result was remarkably tasty. I'm talking really tasty. Atmosphere: Too bright. Unusual. But altogether it somehow makes for an experience. Price: I think the total bill was $60 for three of us. We didn't order any appetizers or soup. There was plenty to eat. We plan to go back.
(4)Johanna C.
This place is great. It is very homey and not fancy by any means. It is straight up about delicious food! Since it is very small, the scents tend to linger within the room and you will leave the place smelling like meat and garlic. Just warnin' ya! My favorite item by far is the Jab Chae. Delicious. The Bul-Go-Gi is good, I find that it's not marinated as much as I like but it compliments all the side dishes you get with your order. There's a side dish that tastes like potato salad that I love from here. It's a great experience cooking the meat with a group of friends. If you take too long to cook the meat, one of the ladies will come and speed up the job for you. It's cute. Unfortunately the service isn't fantastic. If you are used to just drinking water, it takes them awhile to come around. You'll have to ask them to give you a refill. I suggest ordering all your drinks once you put in the initial order. The bathroom is also past the cooks from what my friends have told me. Dunno if that's a dealbreaker for some folks. Come here at lunch or on a weekday night. You will most definitely have to wait on a weekend because this place is packed. There's seating for about 20 - 30 people, if not less. It's also very close quarters.
(4)Daniel C.
The general rule of thumb for ethnic cuisines is you can tell how good and authentic the place is by the ethnicity of the diners. Cho San Ok is always packed with Korean diners, and for good reason! The food here is really good! I always get the thin slices of non-marinated beef, cooked on a stone top right in front of you, and dipped in a sauce comprised of sesame oil, salt and pepper. Simplicity at its best! The drippings from the beef are then used to make a delicious kimchi fried rice. Other things I've enjoyed are the yuk gae jang, a spicy beef soup, and grilled mackarel. The only negative thing I can say is that service can be a bit cold.
(5)Marissa M.
First time trying bibimbop outside of korea. Got this as take-out tonight. Was pretty good. Had a hard time communicating with the waitress taking my order. I wanted crispy rice and that just didn't happen. I even used the korean word but I got steamed rice only. It was ready in 15 minutes after placing my order. That seemed appropriate since they were packed inside. I definitely want to go back to eat. The restaurant looked so fun!
(4)Wolfgang S.
I went with a friend that knew what he was doing and had a great time. It is very interactive and a fun atmosphere. Ordered the Bul-Go-Gi, Dumplings, Doeji Gui, and Kimchi Jjigae. Brought our own wine. The meal came with little tasty sides. Ate too much! Great for 2 to 3 people. You have to be quick with the service, they are on the move! I will return!
(4)Sandra J.
My best friend is Korean and she moved to CA, so I don't get the Korean food I grew up on. Dan and I were looking to try something new and I suggested Korean. I have seen this place many times in passing and was never really sure if it was open or if it had a name. We were very lucky with our timing because we had a table instantly and we were there early. We got a table with the BBQ station. I wish I knew this place was BYOB because watching people drink beer and wine made me so thirsty. There is a Jewel a block down and we thought of it after we sat down, so remember BYOB! The waitresses reminded me of my friend's mother so I felt like she knew what we wanted. She didn't so I texted my BF and asked her for what the name is of what her mom would serve me. I wish we knew how big the portions were before we ordered because for two people we had a LOT of food. We ordered Bulgogi and Japchae and then a whole bunch of bowls came out way. There was so many different Korean sides that I took a picture and uploaded it to yelp. I LOVE the Kimchi and it was in the bowls. I wish I can spell the names of all the sides, but be open to tastes new flavors. I was hoping we would have gotten a side of lettuce to make lettuce wraps but that wasn't available. =( Dan never had Korean food and he was loving it. I was so happy we took a chance and came here. Our dinner was really reasonably priced and we left with very full bellies. The Lincoln bus would be the closest public trans but from Irving Park Brown Line there is a bit of a walk.
(4)Giselle R.
I know I know the service isn't the greatest (and that's the only reason it got 4 stars), but once you get over that, the food really is great..The bulgogi is good as well as the marinated short ribs. The side dishes are delicious and they keep refilling them as you're eating them. Best of all, it really is reasonably priced. I'm not Korean but i've tried my fair share of Korean restaurants and I can say this place is one of the best. Don't let the service turn you off, I personally don't think it's that bad. Give it a try!
(4)Diera H.
I completely agree with Andrea K. If you're not Korean, they will be super rude to you. My boyfriend and I were ignored for so long until we actually get a table. I didn't order anything BBQ though, so maybe that's why the food was not that good, I guess? I came here with such high expectations given the reviews here on Yelp as well as from my friends. I ordered both Galbi and Bulgogi ready in the plate cooked by them, and neither tastes any good.
(2)Davey G.
This restaurant is currently the only "must-hit" place on my list when I go back to visit Chicago. I somehow managed to spend four years in the city without ever eating in this part of town. (Darn that Hyde Park bubble!) I suppose my Korean-American friends didn't think I'd be down to try it... or, knowing me back then, I could have just been in one of my moods. Sigh. It was five years later and my best friend, Hyemin, must have finally realized that I was ready for Chicago-style Korean. In a way, I'm glad I didn't find out about it until then -- I would have easily gained about 20 lbs. because this would have become the go-to spot for dinners with my fraternity brothers. Most def. We arrived at an odd hour, somehow avoiding the lunch and dinner rushes which meant good service. I let Hyemin do all the ordering. I think we got chadolbaegi. Mmm, meat. Then more meat. Then the "leftover" meat is turned into a fried rice dish that we all proceeded to devour. Wait, weren't we all "full" just 5 minutes ago?! Rice swimming in rich, fatty meat drippings--can't I just call it dessert?
(5)Debbie E.
Giving them four stars for the food and value only! Plenty of food and with lots of accompaniments at a great price. And everything we had was delicious. As previous reviews have indicated, the service is horrible and the place is tiny. We happen to go on the hottest day of the year so far (102 degrees out) and the place was stifling. No air as far as we could tell, but it was packed with a constant stream of customers. The restaurant is so small that you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathrooms. Not a pleasant thought. Too bad about these shortcomings, otherwise we'd be regulars even though it's out of our way.
(4)Jim W.
I could smell the fumes coming out of this joint half a block away when we drove past it. The line was really bad considering it was a Sunday nite. The good news was that the restaurant was full of Koreans - always a good sign when the guests of an ethnic restaurant are of that ethnicity. The bad news was that service was not great and the place was grimy - I almost killed myself by slipping on the grease on the floor. I probably should have saved this review for a later date, b/c my tastebuds were shot from the half bottle of Patron I downed the night before, but the food tasted only ok. Cho Sun Ok uses a stonetop grill with no oil drip! Which means you ingest all the wholesome goodness from your bbq. We ordered some beef brisket, kimchee tofu jeegae (I think)and haemul pajun (seafood pancake). Of our little dishes, I didn't think the kimchee was great, but I'm not Korean, what do I know. In summary, I'll probably have to go back when I can actually taste the food more. At the conclusion of our meal though, I loved how they took leftover vegetables and cooked rice on the stonepot, I love it crispy! The takeaway from our meal was that we could all smell each other, great bonding material.
(3)Pickiest Eater A.
Great food! Love cooking on the tabletop stove. The marinated beef is great, there are a bunch of sides to go along with the meal. For $25 it feeds 2!
(5)Yujin A.
Based on two different kinds of naeng myun and haemul pajun(seafood scallion pancake), I would not come back to this restaurant. Service is actually better than an average Korean restaurant, but the food here was quite terrible. I haven't seen any haemul pajun with less seafood in my entire life. They should really name it pajun with extra flour batter. Naengmyun was just bad. Having been a big fan of naengmyun since I was a year old(according to my mom), I've had different kinds at all sorts of places. Maybe I'm just being picky, but I didn't finish 1/3 of the naemyun, and I am such a foodie. Oh,, they have really good Kimchi though. If you somehow find yourself in Cho Sun Ok, do yourself a favor and avoid naengmyun and pajun.
(2)Andrew A.
Service still needs to be improved. Also the naengmyun needs to be iced better instead of just dropping in some ice cubes. Both were way better in Seoul on a recent trip. I only say these things as someone who wants to keep going to your restaurant. I know you guys get the crowds, with lines out the door, despite the bad service but I still feel like you could and should fix it.
(2)Chole L.
Went here for my bday dinner with my bf. I agreed that food was alright but service SUCKS! I guess it's normal because i have been to other korean restaurants in the past where the korean lady servers were also very rude and mean. I don't get why but i guess we just have to accept it.
(2)Amy M.
Very inexpensive wanted to try this place...heard they have beef brisket and wanted the beef brisket to be like version I had in Los Angeles. It's not!... but I guess for a fix it might cover your craving. However, the fried rice made after your meal is awesome! Yummy! I like the fact they do have smaller bowls of korean soup instead of the regular size so you can have it as an add on to your meal. Good lunch spot, I heard this place can get quite crowded during dinner so lunch might be a better choice.
(3)Adam R.
My wife and I ate at this restaurant last Sunday in the late afternoon. I did my homework (thanks yelpers!) so we arrived after the lunch rush but before the dinner rush - even then, it was still pretty crowded but there were a few tables open. We were seated very promptly and given menus. I knew that we would try #6 (the non-marinated beef) and just leave it at that for the visit. For the both of us, it was more than enough food. Upon hearing our order, the waitress moved the burner to the side of the table - *plonk* - and walked away. We smiled, having read the reviews and understanding what we were in for. I sort of felt the same way I feel when I'm in line for a roller coaster ride in an amusement park :-) The sides arrived - very good stuff and lots of it - and then the meat and the onions/jalepe~nos/garlic/paste. What is that paste? It looks like curry paste - were we supposed to use that to cook the meat? Oh well, maybe next time. A giant bowl of salad-like mixture was also brought. I guess that was just actually salad, and we ate it like that. I *thought* I knew how to cook the meat, but after a while of seeing us filling the grill with only one layer of meat, the waitress walked over, grabbed a big mound of meat, dropped it on the grill, and moved it around a bit. So *that's* how you do it. Next time we know. The place was filling up. There were a few non-Koreans there when we walked in, but when I looked up 10 minutes later, we were the only non-Koreans left in the joint (and all the table except the one by the door were full.) The line was starting outside, as we expected it would. So, we cooked the rest of the meat as quickly as possible, and the waitress came over and started the kimchee fried rice. She let it sit for a while so I let it sit too - I like burnt rice :-) She did come to stir it up once - rice flew around the table and my wife and I smile at each other knowingly. We ate some of the fried rice and decided we'd "do as the romans do" (even though the place was packed and nearly every Korean seemed to be really taking their time - especially a table next to us that was filled with senior citizens), so I flagged the waitress. She came over, seemed to acknowledge that we wanted to box up the rest of the fried rice (no more meat left - yum!), then disappeared and was back to running from table to table. I flagged another waitress about 5 minutes later after not being successful making eye-contact (I guess that doesn't work in the culture or something?) and was clear that we needed our check and our fried rice to take away. After that attempt, a different waitress came over with a typical Asian food box (you know the kind I mean - like from a Chinese restaurant) and boxed up the fried rice. There was no way I was getting up to walk over and ask for the check - sorry. I don't mind paying at the register, but I firmly believe that the check should be brought to the table - all cultural boundaries as they are. We paid and left, but not without saying goodbye and having a few waitresses thank us for coming in. I thought that was kind of nice, considering all of the harsh reviews I've read about this place. We had a great time and ate a lot of great food, plus had tons of fried rice for another meal at home. Seriously, for all you haters - do your research before trying out a restaurant. As said by other reviewers, this place is known for the food, not the service, and you need to understand that it's a "get in, eat, get out" type of place before you arrive. Don't expect anyone to walk you through how to do anything. If you aren't sure, just "do nothing" and someone will come to help. Then you will know what to do next time. About food odors: my jeans smelled a bit like food when I left, but not my shirt - not at all. It was nothing anywhere near how smelly my clothing was after we ate at a Korean BBQ on west Laurence that had a grill/ventilation/etc. My advice - if you don't want your clothes to smell like food, keep throwing the meat on the grill and don't let it sit empty or it will smoke. You will have the same problem in your own kitchen - It's not the restaurant's fault if you don't know how to cook :-) Give this place a try - you'll like it.
(5)jenni k.
didn't even eat here. we called to make sure they were open tonight. the lady answered in korean. i asked her what time they were open til tonight. she says "we open 10 to 10" and hangs up on me. nope, not getting my business if you can't even be polite over the stupid phone. we ended up at san soo gab san instead. whole 'nother story on that.
(1)Hazel L.
I love this place. It's the most authentic Korean food I've had so far in Chicago. Even the decor reminds me of Seoul. It's hard to get a table right away though - particularly if you have a big group and/or you go during peak hours. My favorite meat here is the chadolbaegi - although to be honest I can't remember if I've ever tried anything other than their meat. I also got the impression that it's one of those places best visited with a friend who knows the food/speaks the language. If you don't have a Korean friend to go with, you should make one, just for the occasion. :p
(5)Paul C.
I've been here a number of times, and I really like this place as an alternative to trekking out to Koreatown. Some people are criticizing the service here, but I have to say, I think the service is fantastic. Normally Korean joints don't have the most attentive servers--it seems like my Korean friends are always yelling at the waitresses (then again, my Korean friends might just be dicks). But I came here once with no Koreans and got fantastic service. Later I came with an all white crew and the service was even better. Perhaps Koreans are racialist, or perhaps they know enough to treat me like the king I am. If you're not familiar with Korean food you may have some issues, but this place is no more or less intimidating than any other Korean resteraunt I've been to. Sometimes this place gets crazy packed so plan ahead if you're going to go there on a Friday or Saturday night. Also be advised that you will reek of Korean food after you eat here. The last time I went here I went to the movies afterwards and stank like kalbi the whole time. I became all the more nervous when a large group of Korean theater goers kept looking at me and drooling. Cho Son Ok is A-Ok in my book.
(4)Jaki J.
I was there only twice and loved the BBQ!!! It was pretty packed on a Monday night when I went there with my friends, but we got the last table as we entered right ahead of an other two groups. I really liked the fried rice after we finished cooking the beef. The price for the dinner for two isn't really expensive. Definitely coming back !!!
(5)Amy C.
I am from LA and SF and had lots of Korean BBQ before and I never had Korean BBQ on a hot plate until this place. I really do like BBQ with the wooden charcoal better but I guess this place makes it up by doing the fried rice with all the left over stuff at the end!! It was pretty good! I am pretty sure they ripped us off since we were a large group (9ppl). They put us all in a 4 ppl table and gave us one grill. We were served only 1 round of appetizers and only given 2 bowls of rice. We had two types of meat that shouldn't have been more than 4 servings. We also had this very fishy fish which wasn't really good. We ended up paying $18 each and that's surprising since this is the first time I haven't been stuffed at Korean BBQ. I will go back again but next time in a smaller group.
(4)Kurt H.
The reviews that explain all this have been bumped down kind of low on the page, so let me reiterate for those of us who aren't Korean: (1) You're not getting bad service relative to the Korean customers -- it's just that the Korean customers just know that they have to *flag down* the waitresses to get what they want. Pay attention, follow their lead, and do the same. And the waitresses are too overworked to sweet-talk anyone, so (A) don't take it personally and (B) respect their busyness and order as efficiently as you can. (2) Notice that 90% of the customers are ordering the cha dol bae gi (a/k/a chadolbaegi) as their (shared) entree, and so should you. It's the item with the grilled thinly-sliced beef that you dip in a salty sauce and where, at the end of the meal, they make fried rice out of the leftover side dishes. (3) Cha dol bae gi is the *only* item that they make the fried rice afterwards. It's not clear on the menu, and the waitresses are too busy to explain it, so please just try to remember it. (Write it down. Bring your Yelp app on your smartphone with you. Whatever.) (4) The plethora of little side dishes are called "banchan." It is acceptable to ask for free refills of selected items, but note this: Although you may take your leftover grilled beef or fried rice home if you really must, you *can't* take your leftover banchan home. It's just not done. (Don't be offended -- again, it's not anti-non-Korean prejudice. Look around: The Korean customers aren't taking *their* banchan home!) Cho Sun Ok is a good value (BYOB!) and a great cultural experience as long as you take it on its terms.
(5)Helena G.
I loved my Korean BBQ experience! They bring lots of small plates with veggies. The meat is super thin and very tasty. We also had a Korean pancake with veggies and octopus... OMG! It was DELICIOUS ***** And we ordered ribs marinated in a house made sauce, they were TERRIFIC ***** This place has 2 issues - is super smoke, in the end my clothes smelled like smoked meats. - and the staff is VERY rude.
(3)Nari H.
Yay I'm a fan. I'd give them at least 3.5 stars for sure. Came here last night with my sister and had a good time. Food was good and came out quickly. The servers have a no nonsense approach which is nice. Compared to other Korean restaurants, prices (according to my sister) are pretty inexpensive. And you get a plethora of banchan (side dishes) which i like. Cons are that seating area is small and might feel a bit crowded. You don't really notice once you start eating though. Bathroom is really small (smallest i've ever seen) and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. Their banchan is good, but some could have been better, I thought. And... they forgot my bo-rhee-cha (hot barley tea) and i love my hot barley tea. Overall, I had a good experience and I'd be back again. :)
(4)Kari M.
What can I say??? This place has some of the best Korean BBQ I have ever had. The line can be long at times, but it is worth it and the prices are so reasonable. This place is not fancy like some other Korean BBQ places, but the food makes up for it ten times over. The service is efficient and helpful. I would be willing to drive to Milwaukee all the time to come here. You know its good when there are several Korean families eating here.
(5)Crisann S.
Had a sudden craving for Korean food while vacationing in Chicago and thanks yelpers for finding this for me. The greeting service here is a bit wack. Upon entering the restaurant, I was standing at the door awkwardly for a minute and no one stopped to greet me even though I know they saw me walk in. A bit irritated, I took a seat at an empty table. Some waitress finally came and asked me to move to another table where the guests had just finished. The bulgogi was a bit dry. The only good part was that it was soft. The jap chae and bibimbap were good. They only had the cold bibimbap, no clay pot. Overall, would probably visit other Korean places if I have time but I wouldn't mind coming back again.
(4)Benjamin F.
Great food! Byob. No reservations and expect a wait. There will be little guidance on how to eat order or eat so go with an open mind an a sense of adventure and take cues from the other diners if you are not sure what to do. I think half the tables get the ChaDol-Gui (un-marinated beef) and I thought it was great but their marinades are delicious too.
(4)Bea K.
You only get a line that long if your food is the bomb!!! The food is great and it is as good as it gets for Korean BBQ and the service once you order is fast BUT the customer service needs some improvement. My fiancé had to ask for a fork 5 times before she brought him one - I understand they're busy but it wasn't like he was asking for a something excessive - it was a fork! Whenever we go now we try to bring a fork with us - if we forget we have to ask everyone we see for a fork. The fried dumplings are great, bulgogi is amazing, and the japchae is unbelievable every time we eat there!
(5)Pam R.
This was my 1st experience here. I had no idea what to order and couldn't understand the waitress so i was unable to communicate through asking her questions. Small side dishes were brought out and i had no idea what 90% of it was. We ordered steak and it was flavorless and i was left with awful heartburn after the meal (i rarely have this issue). As far as the staff, the place is very busy so be prepared to wait for whatever you ask for. I asked for a refill on water when our "appetizers" were brought out and didn't receive my refill until AFTER i had completed my meal.
(2)S D.
I should first point out that my husband and I are vegetarians. So, we knew going into this that the options wouldn't be plentiful, and I had my doubts about the service. While I'm not sure we'd go back there, it was actually much better than I'd expected. The server suggested Bibimbop without the meat as a vegetarian option, and the rest of the people at our table got beef of some kind (she also recommended that, so they have no idea what they ordered). The service was quick, and the small bowls of kimchi, etc, were mostly very good. I found it pretty funny when the server came and mixed our bibimbop/rice/sauce together (because I realized I was probably eating it incorrectly), but felt better when I saw she was doing it to others as well. :) I do wish I knew more about the food and menu so I could have branched out more, but if you're adventurous and don't mind suggestions combined with surprise, it's a great spot for authentic food. So this is more like a 3.5 stars. Oh, but I do agree that you will leave smelling like all sorts of food. So don't bring that jacket that needs to be specially dry-cleaned!
(3)Christopher C.
Went in the late afternoon and had a fantastic meal. Can't wait to dig in to the leftovers! They walked us through the whole process, which was definitely helpful. Recommend the soups as a side.
(5)Adam P.
The food was delicious and the older gentleman, I assume the owner, was really sweet to my friend's child. I would love to go back next time I'm in town. The place is a little small and fills up quickly, but people seem to move in and out at a good pace.
(5)V M.
I love this place. things to keep in mind: it is small. eat lightly before coming because you will wait..esp if you're with a big crowd. there's only one bbq dish that comes with the rice afterwards- appetizers/ side dishes- they give more if there's a bigger party. waitresses- you need to wave at them for attention- thats how all authentic rests are..and keep in mind there's only 3 of them and knowing how busy that place is..these waitresses are working their butts off- tip nicely to these ladies (and the bus boys) please. the food is excellent- for $25 that feeds two people. you can't beat that! clothing- it's Korean bbq- you're gonna smell like meat for the rest of the day.
(4)Robert F.
Warning: Cho Sun Ok is not for the unitiated. I'd highly recommend being Korean or at least speaking the language The food is "ok", if confusing. Entree's are cooked at your table in a big stone hotplate. You're also given a dozen small dishes which I can only describe as "a variety of stuff". I only call it that because not one of three waitresses explained it to us. They were pretty frustrated that we even asked; crinkling their noses, shaking their heads, and waving their hands like "just fucking eat". Despite my bad experience, they must serve up some good Korean. After 6pm the line up is out the door with Korean (ok, I'm only assuming) people. Thats got to say something about the food. If you know your Korean food, and maybe speak the language, Cho Sun Ok might be an excellent experience. For the rest of us curious intruders, prepare for a heaping helping of scorn and shame for being an ignorant westerner.
(2)Caroline A.
Let me clarify something to all the haters out there. The icy service you get here is common for Korean dive restaurants. You come here for the food, not the experience. Although, I kind of like being able to cook my own meat on the stone grill. Anyway... Cho Sun Ok is a tiny little Korean dive with super authentic food, terrible service and lots of smoke. This is not the place for Kalbi, but Cha Dul Bae Gi - thinly sliced unmarinated beef cooked table side. It helps if you come here with someone Korean because the servers don't speak English. I speak at Korean at a fifth grade level and barely got by. Their banchan offerings and kimchee fried rice were my favorite parts of the meal. My mom recommends their chigaes and naengmyuns too. If you are new to Korean food, I would suggest a visit to Solga before coming here. Also, when dining at a Korean restaurant, never wear cashmere or any nicer clothing as the smell of Korean food tends to linger. It's safer to wear something you can just throw in the wash... such as your "winter pants."
(4)Nikki C.
I don't think I'm asian enough to eat here alone sans korean person, but luckily my first adventure here was with a beautiful korean guide who knew the language and gave my table some proper ordering cred. I can't say exactly what I ordered, as I let my dining angel do the deed in native tongue, but within a couple of blinks the table was covered in tasty dishes, a hot stone pan with fire and a big plate of bacon looking meat that was divine. service was rather quick, at points I felt rushed to eat as more and more food was cooked up and prepared for us, but all in all a good time and good afterglow as the winter pants went well with the drifting snow and content feeling I felt after a long marathon eating session to start the holidays. good stuff, come with friends or a date, bring your hungover, your tired, your hungry and fill up fast with soul satisfying eats. read the other reviews for more information as this post kind of sucks as it further proves my asian card is in need of severe review.
(4)Mia P.
"Meh. I've experienced better" describes my experience exactly. The service was expected to be not good, and it's not that they are bad to be malicious or because they're so busy. I just don't think they really understand their job description. When we finally got the attention our "waitress", she was smiley, but she had no idea what we wanted/needed. She was trying to feel it out, but the language barrier didn't help. All she did was get our order, bring our food, and give us our check. You can't expect her to ask about how you're doing or check up on you, which isn't really acceptable in a restaurant atmosphere. The food unfortunately didn't make up for it. And I'm not a Korean food expert, but I've definitely had enough elsewhere to know that this is not a good fit for me. (We had the bulgolgi, which was unfortunately kind of dry and japchae)
(2)Emily S.
The best Korean bbq. We still bring our Korean friend (mostly because we like him, but also because he knows what we order!). I still have not learned to save room for the mish-mash fried rice at the end. Someday.
(5)Desiree Anne A.
Cho Sun Ok, is just OK in my book due to just the overall experience. I will say though that the Kalbi is very good. Also try the beef tendon soup. The waiter said its not common that young people order this dish, haha (the broth takes 9 hours to prepare). It consist of semi creamy texture soup with a hearty portion on beef tendon. It has a strong pepper taste and you can tell its heavy on the oil. But it taste interesting. Try it. It's pretty busy on the weekends. People congested through the doorway waiting. Makes people who are eating feel a little uncomfortable and rushed I think. The waitress move really fast, but never have the time to fill our waters. Boo. We beat the rush and came there around 7:30pm on a Friday night, that seems like an ok time to go. Free small parking lot in the back.
(3)Albert K.
I wish I could give this place five stars-- really. But I just cant. The good: This place is absolutely delicious. The food is fresh, it tastes great, and they number of side dishes they give out are unbelievable. Furthermore, after you finish eating, they dump all the side dishes onto the plate used to grill, add some rice, and leave it to us to eat. The food here is great. No doubt about it. The bad: Anyone would agree that service is one of the most crucial parts to owning a restaurant. Bad service and a good restaurant usually dont go together. But I guess Cho Sun Ok is the only exception. Seriously, the service here is pitiful. When I arrived, it took 40 minutes to finally get a table. Seriously? 40 minutes? Its ridiculous. Oh, but the horrors aren't over yet. As expected, we got cups of water, and I drank it immediately because it was pretty hot during the wait. It took me another 20 minutes and multiple requests for water before I could finally get a refill. Seriously, the service here is horrible. But... I still have to give this place 5 stars despite the poor service. Even though I walked out frustrated by the poor service, I knew that I would end up going back.
(5)Valerie H.
If the stars were on food alone, I'd give a 5. I always order the barbequed ribs and bulgogi. The restaurant itself usually has a line out the door (proof of good food!). My biggest complaint is the service. I get that it isn't an American restaurant where the waitresses constantly come around and ask if everything is going okay, I'm even okay with flagging down my Korean lady for more water or rice, and I'm even okay with the waitresses having zero personality. The problem is after working on flagging them down, they never come back with what you asked for!! I've been there at least 10 times where I've asked for a fork and a diet coke, and everytime I've had to remind them 2 or 3 times - if they even come back with what I asked for. If I need more water or rice it takes them forever to bring it, again, if even at all. I've learned to constantly bring my own fork and pop. If I could only bring in my own refill of rice I'd be set. Nonetheless, the food is solid. Decent pricing. Service sucks. But I still always go back.
(3)Harry L.
Very fun place to bring friends, particular friends from out of town who may not be familiar with Korean BBQ. The service is a bit iffy in here at times (you have to practically beg for water sometimes, which is a tough thing to live with when you are eating salty meat). The food is excellent, though, and we always go back.
(4)Andrea K.
Great Korean food. Closest to downtown Chicago. If you are not Korean, they will be rude to you. Ignore you. If you can handle that, the food is good. You can't go wrong with the kalbi.
(4)Maram K.
I will begin this review with a disclaimer: I don't know what Korean food is supposed to taste like, I can only imagine. Anywho, this place is pretty cute on the inside. Seating was limited but we were seated right away as part of our party arrived earlier. We ordered ribeye steak and the baby octopus. After ordering such, the waitress brought atleast a dozen sides of marinaded so and so and pickled whatever. All were delicious and some were spicy. The beef (bulgogi?) came raw and the waitress tossed it into the cast iron pot with heated oil in the center of our table. We can smell the deliciousness cooking as we ate a few of our sides. She comes back a few minutes later and serves up the meat. While we heat, she brings in the baby octopus and cooks it that same way. It's spicy and very bold. As it is closed to done-ness, she throws in a bowl of noodles glass-noodles into the simmering broth. We were left to serve this last dish on our own but it was very tasty! The noodles soaked up all the flavor that otherwise wouldve been left in the pot and discarded. Only downside is you WILL leave this place smelling like various cooking oils.
(4)Andrew H.
i used to come here a lot before the name got so big. Food still taste great but the only drawback now is..... the wait..... sometimes up to an hour long, but hey, good stuff doesn't come easy.
(4)Tim O.
I had the most bizarre experience at Cho Sun Ok. I walked into the restaurant, towards the cashier so I could order take-out. First off, the cashier/pick-up area is located in the opposite corner from the door so I had to maneuver myself around the packed eating area to even place an order. I told the woman what I wanted, and even pointed to the menu to reiterate my choices. I wanted one order of a dumpling soup and one order of Doeji Gui. The cashier kept on asking me a question that I didn't understand so I just pointed to the menu again and thought we reached an agreement. I paid an amount that seemed like what it should've been and went food shopping while my meal was being made. 20 minutes later, I came back to pick up my food and the same lady handed me a bag (it was stapled so I couldn't check the contents until I came home). When I arrived home, I opened the bag (my mouth salivating from the thought of broiled pork) and discovered that I was given three small containers of dumpling soup. I live a good distance away from the restaurant, and it was late, so I just ate what I was given. It was good (not great) but did not satisfy my craving at all. I just don't understand how my order could've been messed up when I went into the store personally, said what I wanted, and pointed to the menu TWICE. Don't even try to call in an order.
(2)Tuyen T.
This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the city. It's also a lot of other people's favorite Korean restaurant in city because it's always packed! The place is tiny, so I suggest arriving before typical meal times. I would probably not come with a group of 6 or more. What you have to try: Seafood pancake. I know it sounded totally gross to me, but it's sooo good!!! If you like seafood, trust me. It's as big as a pizza pie, so definitely a good appetizer to share. I just hate that it takes forever to get your water refilled - but crappy service at an Asian restaurant only makes it more authentic in my book.
(5)Paul B.
Please please PLEASE, if you are going to Cho Sun Ok for the first time and aren't going with a regular read through the reviews and make sure you know what you are doing. This place really is a gem but it has a learning curve. It really is a shame that so many people went and had such a bad experience because there are only a few simple guidelines (that you will see in this review and many others) which would have helped so much. So for first timers: #1. Yes, there is a long line. Don't show up starving because you will have to wait at least 30 minutes. #2. Service is different here. Waitresses expect to be flagged down when you need something (whether it is to order, to get more water, to pay... whatever). Its not that they don't like white people, its that the korean customers already know that they have to flag down a waitress to get service. Thats the way it works here (and many other coveted asian restaurants for that matter). Just accept it. Once you get the hang of it it works just fine. #3. Order the damn chadolbaegi. Open a menu, point at it, and say that you want it. If have a group and want more then fine, order chadolbaegi and something else. Otherwise, experiment with other options on your second trip once you have the hang of how things work. I promise you, I'm like craaaaazy white, but Cho Sun Ok is still at the top of my list of restaurants to hit up next time I get back to Chicago. I would have given it bad reviews too if I had expected the waitresses to come to me instead of vice versa. Finally, once you do flag down a waitress, have a heart, notice how overworked they are and think about what goes into keeping prices for such high quality food low. Could you imagine working in such a crazy place and always smelling like meat day in and day out for what is probably pretty terrible pay?
(5)Mel R.
I loved this place! If you're coming for korean BBQ this is the place! stopped in here once before, but the line was overwhelming. we gave it another chance on a friday night and got really lucky and got seated as soon as we arrived. the waitress was very helpful and we ordered the standards: bulgogi, seafood pancake, fried dumplings, everything was great :) i'm getting hungry thinking about it. YUM! update: i've been here other times and the service was not as good. the server was a little intimidating, and at times slow. we brought wine and it took forever to get a corkscrew, then it took another long wait to get glasses! i guess the service is inconsistent. food is still good though :)
(4)Jack L.
Came here with a friend for dinner one night. This is a Korean BBQ restaurant and I was expecting so much more. The food was good but it did not justify the price. There were only 2 of us and we ordered 2 plates because we were still hungry after the first one. We got the beef with octopus and then just a plain beef dish. I wouldn't even really call it BBQ, it seemed more like pan fried meat. I did like the variety of pan chan that came with it though. I would come back with friends because it's BYOB.Seems like a good place to get a group together (about 5 or 6 people) to have dinner and bring your own drinks. 3 stars for the food and potential.
(3)Kathleen B.
Heed the advice of others and go with someone who is Korean or else you will be totally ignored just like you were the year back when you wore that blue velvet dress and mary janes to the Homecoming dance. (Oh wait, was that just me?) I expected icy service, but being ignored when people were lining up waiting for a table and we were finished eating?? Aside from the fact that we had to wait for our check or 25+ minutes tonight after asking for it for 3 times, the bulgogi was delicious. The dumpling soup was piping hot and tasty. Another major disappointment was that the Jab Chae was missing the shredded beef, but otherwise, was very good. Seems like you take your chances here if you aren't Korean or a regular! Unfortunately, my awesome entourage doesn't include any Koreans at this moment in time. I guess that'll need to change so I can make a return trip to Cho Sun Ok and REALLY enjoy myself.
(3)Cam B.
Food was great. Atmosphere is TINY, sweltering hot, noisy. Kind of miserable, actually Service, was sadly, awful. My boyfriend and I had no idea how this place worked and sadly, no one would explain it to us. We patiently waited to grab someone's attention to ask how we should cook the marinated beef we ordered, and we received nothing but a pointing at the pan. When we started cooking it incorrectly, the owner walked over and was shaking his head at us. It was pretty rude and actually made us feel bad! i dont know how we were supposed to know. It was impossible to order waters. We sat at the bar (the only space available) so I think we kind of were "forgotten". The food made up for it, but I can't believe how bad the service was. I mean, we can't be the first inexperienced customers that Cho Sun Ok has ever had...can we? I'd go back for the food, but I'd do a little reading on basic korean bbq, because no one is going to explain it to you when you go. Beware, first timers!
(4)Laurel H.
Oh! So good! It reminds me of eating with my (Korean, obviously) friends' families. The waitresses are even authentically surly and just kind of drop all the tiny bowls of wonderful food on your table and grunt at you. Maybe they were mad at me because I'm Asian and I was eating with my friend Jonny who's white, and they thought "MAIL ORDER BRIDE!" or something, but I don't care! The bibimbap was delicious and so is their disdain!
(4)Julie A.
Excellent food but service is so bad it takes away from the experience. I'll probably be back and express my discontent with service on the tip. The worse service in Chigago. I keep on thinking is cultural thing but I know plenty of Koreans that smile and are pleseant; so it cannot be that. Stars are on food allow, ZERO stars for service.
(3)Gregory L.
You know a place is authentic and good when the ethnicity that it represents is waiting outside in the cold and rain to get in and once inside, you realize, "Hmm, we're one of the only white diners in here." Admittedly that's a coarse metric to judge a restaurant by, and probably not very PC, but I've found it to be a good measure none-the-less. We've been back here again and again and it never fails to delight! I think a previous reviewer noted that this is authentic Korean which means that if you want your water refilled, they don't come around and refill it; you need to flag them down. It's not poor service, it's the cultural expectation. The first time it happened, I was like, "Sheesh, what the hell?" But after having it explained, it works just fine. I love the ambiance in this place. It feels off the beaten path - a-la-Anthony-Bourdain. And it is. Something this authentic and ethnic, with its hole-in-the-wall feel, is admittedly out-of-place on Lincoln and Berteau in North Center. The table top stoves look like they are about to explode into flames and I'm sure I'm getting some kind of carbon monoxide poisoning, but these are all GOOD THINGS. I'm tired of all these ultra chic, feng shui, minimalist Asian restaurants. The rounded edge rectangular vases, square plates and chop sticks blunt the flavor of the food and cause all of them to blend into one. CSO stands out as authentic and individual. Helpful hints before ordering: Stop at the ubiquitous-big-box-grocery next door and pick up some Asian beer to enjoy during your meal. The place is BYOB (YAY!) and it alleviates the constant need to flag down a waitress to refill your water. When you are ordering, you may be tempted to order appetizer, soup, entree, etc. That is way too much food. The portions here are sizable and the kimchee is a meal in itself. Think about going family style for variety. The stone-top Korean barbecue with bulgogi is a safe start for newbees and few are disappointed by kalbi-gui, but my penchant for runny egg yolks and heat can only be satisfied by an awesome bowl of CSO's bimbimbap. Note for those with a Midwestern palate: Korean food has heat! Stop by, be adventurous and try something new, or kidnap your Korean friend as a guide, but go to Cho Sun Ok. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Pat C.
This is my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Even though the place is ALWAYS packed and that you usually will have a decent wait for a table and even if the wait staff can be rushed, the quality in the food is fantastic. The entire joint smells like heaven, and I often find myself sticking my head in to smell when I walk by. I don't know if I would come here without one of my Korean-speaking friends, as I might be a little intimidated, but that being said, I always want my Korean friends to take me here. Delicious!
(5)Triphena W.
Must order: Bibim naeng myun ($7.95). Chewy, slippery buckwheat noodles served chilled with spicy sauce, sweet Asian pear, crunchy vegetables, and boiled egg. Mix everything together, and voila-- the perfect dish for a hot summer day, but SO good you'll eat it year round. The panchan served at Cho Sun Ok is noteworthy as well. Best in Chicago. As others have mentioned, the restaurant is small so be prepared to wait for a table if you go during peak dinner hours. Easy street parking. Inexpensive. BYOB. You can't ask for anything else.
(4)Winston G.
First KBBQ place I've been to so far in Chicago, and this place did not disappoint. My Korean friends told me that this place was known for their chadolbaegi, so that's what we ordered. The meat was very good - not too fatty, but had just enough where the flavor was still there. The value was solid too - comes out to around $13-14 a person, which was enough food for us to be sufficiently full. The panchan is pretty good - ranges from your standard kimchi to your cucumbers and also a great potato/fruit salad. The best part of this meal is the fried rice they make at the end for you though, which is basically a kimchi fried rice. Delicious. Service was probably the only thing lacking. Coming here with someone who is Korean and/or speaks Korean makes things easier. However, you might be forced to cook your own meat and such when it is busy (usually is because the place is small).
(4)Heather P.
Food was good, maybe 4 stars Service was AWFUL less than 1 star Value 5 stars Ambiance 2 stars BYOB is a fantastic bonus. The portions are definitely generous and the sides were all tasty and plentiful. It was uncomfortably hot inside. I didn't mind the quaintness in this little nook of a place, but the bathroom was disgusting and walking through the kitchen to get there didn't really get my excited for my food. We heard that service here was slow so that was no big surprise, but the server was incredibly rude to us. She actually put her finger in my friends' face to symbolize that she'd have to wait when she tried to signal for more water. When she brought the water to refill the glasses a good fifteen minutes later, she spilled it all over my friend's plate and then never acknowledged that she did it. I will never go back here again based on the service alone. If anyone can recommend a friendly Korean restaurant, I would appreciate it!
(1)James L.
cha dol bae gi was good and 24.95 Bahn-chan plentiful and free yuk-gae jang was good. 9.95 the bokumbap they do at the end, tasted funky. free getting decent service because I was Korean, priceless.
(3)Joan L.
You go here to eat the Chadolbaegi (thinly sliced unmarinated beef). It comes accompanied with 15-ish side dishes. A nice array ranging from potato based to soup to pickled radish to fish cakes.. It's like I walked back in time into my kitchen where my grandma is whipping up Korean food like a tornado. You'll be stuffed to the brim after your order if you did it right because the ladies create this kimchee fried rice after the meat is through. In addition, you will receive a bowlful of cold buckwheat noodles in beef broth. The sad part is that no matter how good the Korean restaurant is here in Chicago, it will NEVER be as good as those in Los Angeles which overtake even the motherland's motherlode of delicious pickled and marinated treats.
(4)Edwin W.
I would not brand myself as a Korean BBQ (KB) connoisseur, but when it comes to KB in Chicago, I would like to think I fit somewhere within the "experienced" category. I would first like to warn readers about the other good reviews posted about Cho Sun Ok (CSO). There are not a lot of KB restaurants within the chicago metro area which I believe can be the cause for CSO getting such high reviews. People who are posting good reviews do not have a valid point of comparison. Prior to dining at CSO I have heard nothing but good reviews (not just from yelp) but also via word of mouth from friends who have dined there. A friend and I arrived on a Saturday around 5, right before the peak of the dinner rush. The place had about 75% of the dining area occupied with only 3 small tables open. We immediately got seated and were served with water and menu. At this point I did not feel rushed or any sense of bad service. This quickly changed! During our ordering process, my friend (who had dined at CSO before) inquired about the Kim Chi Fried Rice cooked over the grill. We were informed that we can only order that rice if we ordered one of the Grill items. We turned to the grill items and asked which item we should order. The waitress was extremely adamant that we order the "thin sliced" bugolgi vs. the thick sliced one. As I turned to my friend telling him I preferred the thick sliced beef, she interrupted us and inssited that we get the thin sliced one. Not trying to make her disappointed we went with her suggestion and went with the thin sliced beef (which we later would realize why she was so adamant about it). Upon finishing our ordering, my friend and I were having a conversation until I was surprised from behind by our waitress who was holding the portable stove. She placed this in front of me and nearly burned my eyebrows as she ignited the stove. My friend and I decided to laugh it off as we are not fans of making a scene before our food arrives. The thin sliced meat arrives and she starts to cook the meat on the pan. I make a comment to my friend about the amount of grease that the meat has produced while it was cooking. The waitress had taken the stacks of beef and just threw it on the pan without separating each piece from each other. We were then greeted with the waitress's solution to absorbing some of the oil. She reached in her apron for a napkin and threw the napkin over the beef and used it to absorb most of the grease accumulating in the pan. The pan at this point looked like a saucepan of grease with the meat drowning in it's liquid fat. This was when my friend and I realized why she was so adamant of us ordering the "thin" sliced beef. It was easier to cook (about 10/90 meat to fat ratio) and I am guessing lower in quality. Each bite we ate was a mouthful of grease. I quickly gave up on the beef and saved my appetite for the kimchi fried rice which was the initial reason we decided on dining at CSO. At the time the waitress started cooking our kimchi fried rice, I looked over to the door and realized there was a line that had formed out the door. It was this moment when one of the other wait staff came by and threw our bill on our table. Keep in mind, one of our entrees was clearly still in the cooking process which was visible on our table. I jokingly asked my friend to ask for a menu to get a reaction from the wait staff. He punked out. We ended our dining experience with our waitress prematurely turning off our stove that was cooking the kimchi fried rice. My friend and I wanted to let the rice cook more until the bottom of the pan was burnt and crispy (which is our favorite part of the rice, similar to hot pot bibim bop). At this point, we decided to wait as the rice cooked on the bottom, but during this process our waitress came by twice asking us to eat. She came by our table to rush us to eat more than she attended to my empty glass of water. I was anticipating her third trip around asking us to eat, would be followed by her force feeding us with a spoon. Korean BBQ can be a truly unique dining experience. It also comes with a lot of sacrifice, one being the stench it leaves on your clothes, the language barrier with most KB places, and the couple of hours you get to partake in gluttony. With this being said, it can easily be a terrible dining experience if the service is below par along with the quality of the food. Pass on CSO! Spend the extra cash on gas and drive up to the northwest suburbs (i.e. Glenview, Niles) for a truly eye opening experience on Korean BBQ.
(2)Sabrina R.
I've never had Korean BBQ, but hot damn was this not only some great food, but an awesome experience. My girl brought me here, and we came with a bottle of wine. We had to wait in a cramped area for about 15 minutes before we were seated. Unfortunately the table was right by the door, so while other people were waiting to be seated (which they were the entire time we were there) the door kept opening and closing, so it got pretty cold. Like I said though, we brought wine. My girl ordered, so I don't know exactly what she called it, but it was thinly sliced beef. They brought it with like 12-15 other bowls of all kinds of stuff. Tofu, seaweed salad, sweet yuca or plantain, kimchi, onion, been sprouts, sesame oil, and a whole bunch of other stuff. We had a great time cooking our beef and trying everything. Just when our meat was gone, and I thought we were all done the waitress came and dumped the kimchi, bean sprouts, and onion in the pan along with some rice and made us KIMCHI RICE! (kimchi rice = awesomness). The only problem with this place is.... before we left my girl ordered something for her husband. Because we knew they were packed we left our table to be cleaned for someone else and waited by the bar. Even though we got up the attitude of the waitress seemed that she was very annoyed at our to go order, and had no problem letting us by her frequent scoffs and couple of "accidental" pushes that we were in her way. Next time we'll order that to go order before the check comes & avoid that whole mess. The food was soooo good, there will most definitely be a next time regardless of the not-so-friendly service.
(4)Emily C.
Korean BBQ. The food factor: Got the short ribs (delicious), and the marinated beef. The beef was grilled on the BBQ plate at our table and was very succulent. The sauce was perfect. All of this came with a ton of tiny appetizer plates, which were fun. We also got the seafood pancake. It was great how our server cut it into pieces at our table using scissors - I love bucking cultural norms! But I thought it was too soggy. My friend really liked it, though, because it had either squid or octopus in it. The social factor: Previous reviews had said that if you're not Korean, you should be prepared to be treated like crap. I'm not Korean, so I came armed (emotionally). But our service was very prompt and polite - I've got no complaints. Maybe they read about their service habits on Yelp and decided to change? One strange aspect was that they do not take names, and so you just have to wait in line to get in. It was pretty cold and the line went out the door. I noticed that Korean people kept cutting in front, but I could not tell whether they were actually getting better service or whether they were part of large groups that had a designated waiting person at the front of the line. I am 99% sure that I saw one entire family cut the whole line and get seated immediately. But that's probably not the host's fault, because he was just calling over the first people in line without really taking tabs of who was cutting whom. Finally, the concept of the line was quite overlooked. It became more of a mob as more people showed up. I know that lines vs. swarms can be a cultural thing, so take this nugget as a piece of advice: don't let others walk all over you and then get upset. If there's no line, stand your ground. The food will make it all better.
(3)Eka L.
I don't usually write reviews - then again, I don't usually get pissed off very often. I can tolerate bad service. I've eaten at a restaurant where they don't even turn on the heat inside but meh, it was a cheap restaurant. This is a whole other level of terrible service. Let me just say that the food is alright. My friends like the kimchi fried rice that they serve at the end and the Chadolbaegi and Bulgogi was decent. Regardless of the food, no restaurants should have this kind of service. We came in at around 11:30 AM on Black Friday but fortunately it isn't crowded yet. We were able to get a seat rightaway. The place is tiny! We had 8 people in the party so we should've gone to a bigger restaurant. Anyway, we started ordering. The waitress brought us water and side dishes after we ordered. Our party isn't all there yet but we said it's alright, we'll order for them so we'll get out faster. The Chadolbaegi comes out first and the lady keep coming back and dumping meat in the pan. Basic cooking - you don't mix raw meat with cooked meat. The lady dumped raw meat into the pan and then distributed the cooked meat to our bowls. Fine, maybe they're just stupid. By the time the bulgogi comes in, we ran out of side dishes and water. We had 8 people and the side dishes are probably enough for 4 people. We asked for more side dishes. 10 minutes went by and no side dish. We asked again. Another 5~10 minutes and no side dish. Fine, maybe they're cheap and don't want to give customers free food. Before we asked for side dishes, we asked for water. Each time we asked for side dishes we asked them to fill up our water. Nothing. I was seriously pissed. We've probably spent about $18/person for the meal and they can't even fill up our water? This is ridiculous! Meanwhile, the line was getting longer and longer to get in. The table beside us finished eating and a couple of guys sat down where they were at. The waitress gave them some water. Apparently there wasn't enough in the pitcher, so they had to settle for a half a cup of water. Half a cup of water which they never come back to refill. I've never had this bad of a service and for an $18 meal I think it's fair to expect them to at least fill up our water. Needless to say, I'm not coming back - ever
(1)Trevor S.
Delicious. Loved the chadolbaebi and seafood pancake. BYOB makes this place more interesting, now... I confess that a good beer or wine compliments the food. Prepare to dine well on ample portions while paying less. Our bill for seven patrons was around $100.
(5)Phillip Y.
I really love this place.. its cheap, its small and the waitresses and sajangnim (boss) are the bomb.. people complain about the service and i don't get it, maybe because my family has been coming here since my father was like 25 or 30 or so and I have been coming here for a very long time as well.. everytime we step in.. we're greeted from 25 feet away and I don't mind that.. and I don't mind the small counter that is next to the register because when its packed and the line is out the door like it almost always is.. we're allowed to eat on the 1 by 3 foot piece of wood where the food that comes out of the kitchen sits on for a few seconds before they are served.. I do not know if they let people sit there to eat but it is inconvenient for the waitstaff and for the person eating there so I guess don't ask about that spot if its your first time. On to the food... the chadol of course is good.. 2 orders for like 26 or something I dont know I don't even check the cost at this place because its almost half of the other korean joints.. the panfried squid or octopus is also very good... vegetables very crunchy and the 8 legged slimes plentiful.. the soups that i always order for sides is the beef soon dooboo or the yoo ggae jang.. its a good spicy soup that can spice up your meal.. I honestly think that this is the only korean place that doesnt reuse their side dishes... mostly because its mixed at the end in the stone pot.. but you can just tell that every side order that comes out is fresh and untouched by another patrons chopsticks or fork or fingers... others can say what they want to say but there are plenty of korean joints around the area that just reserve side plates.. but thats not my battle to fight... overall.. service is awesome.. food is awesome... cameras watching your car in the back in case a horrible driver/parker hits your car.. but they're gone anyways by the time you try to chase them down.. i have seen MANY A MANY of cars being dented in the back lot... i would say one out of four times I go there I've seen some idiot hit another car and just speed off like nothing happened.. so my only tip for this place would be to park on the street.. there are plenty around.. alot of movement in the area so people are coming and going very frequently.. be patient and look for a spot.. unless you don't care that your depreciating asset will trade in for 300 bucks at the car lot...
(5)Eric V.
Bad service? Check. Cramped space? Check. Poor Ventilation? Check. Really good Korean food?? CHECK!! If you can get past a wait staff that doesn't seem to care for your presence then you'll leave with a happy stomach. The galbi (which is cooked for you in the back kitchen) is great, one of my favs in the city. I'm not even sure how to order the next dish (our Korean friend ordered for us while we sat and nodded in agreement) but I'll describe it as best I can. The dish starts with a plate of Cha Dol Bae Gi (thinly sliced beef brisket) that you cook yourself on the table's communal stone pan. Cha Dol Bae Gi is un-marinated, mainly to show off the quality of the beef, so you get julienned green onions and sesame oil with salt & pepper as your condiments. It's simple food, but in this case simple is good. Once you get through that your waitress will come over to throw a few cups of rice, kimchi, and some other ingredients and seasonings into the same pan where you just cooked your beef. Net effect is a tasty, slightly spicy, paella-esque Korean fried rice that forms a nice crisp bottom layer. It does get pretty busy around dinner time, so I'd definitely recommend eating either early or late.
(4)Phil A.
I was introduced to Korean BBQ almost 10 years ago and this was maybe the third restaurant of this cuisine that I tried. It has since been my absolute favorite. The crowded room usually has a line for evening dining but it's well worth the wait. The staff is all Korean and barely speak English which is a great sign of it's authenticity. Most of the patrons were all Korean too when I started visiting Cho Sun Ok which I think is a testament to it's quality. The wait staff comes across as rude but I think it's part of the charm and maybe the norm for Korean society? The owner is always there wearing his white butchers coat watching over everything. The bul gogi is my measuring stick when it comes to Korean and is always phenomenal and grilled in front of you by the staff. I recently had a spicy pork dish as well that I think is even better than old faithful bul gogi. It has changed to BYOB so unfortunately no more huge OB or Hite's to complement the food so bring your own. Also be careful using it as a date place - I brought a girl there once and she was attacked by the "meat steam" as we called it from the food grilling in front of you which didn't end well for me that night.
(5)Suzy D.
This place is great, but San Soo Gab San is still my favorite. Although, I do like the cozy feeling of this restaurant a bit more than the hustle and bustle of SSGS. I must admit that the seafood pancake at Cho Sun Ok is more delicous than the seafood pancake at SSGS. However the wan kalbi at SSGS is the thing I love most in life (today anyways)!
(4)Eugene K.
The Good: Very good Cha Dol Bae Gi, refreshing Mool Kim Chi, Clean place to eat with great service (better than most Korean restaurants)! Also at the end of your meal they make Kim Chi fried rice. A little tip is to thin it out and let the rice crackle up a bit Noo Rung Ji Droooool. Prices are very reasonable. The Bad: Hope you're trained in some close quarter combat. Space is small! But it adds to the charm of looking like a place restaurant straight from Seoul. The Ugly: Long lines! Lucky for us we got a table right around 7pm on a Monday after we were seated we saw the lines piling up and people coming in to ask for the wait. Even though I shouldn't be concerned it made me feel a bit rushed out of there so they can clear seating. The bathroom is also located through the kitchen. This is definitely the new place to go when my friends come from out of town. It's now BYOB since they lost their liquor license. Be sure to bring a couple bottles of soju and OB for the full experience. Portions are more than enough and I got my fill of fat for the week. A tip on service would be to yell! A lot of times I hear Korean restaurants have bad service, but it's just the culture. If you need something holler and they'll get it for you. Also like other Yelpers would suggest, wear clothes you are ready to wash. Your dog/cat/hungry child might get confused and eat it when you leave this place (or any other Korean BBQ joint)
(4)Brian J.
I really enjoyed my experiences at Cho Sun Ok. My first visit I went with a friend (Korean, to boot) who helped me understand a bit more about Korean food a culture. I had experienced Korean barbecue in the past but I think it's much easier to get into it and really understand what's going on when you're with someone Korean on the first go around. It also helps avoid issues that can arise with the language barrier... that is, if there is one. I was THE ONLY non-Korean in the very full restaurant this first time, which is always a ringing endorsement for a Korean restaurant! The chadolbaegi is really delicious, I enjoyed it immensely. I do prefer a charcoal grill over the hot stone dish which can make things uncomfortable if the grease builds up and starts splattering (I lost a few arm hairs that night). The meat melts in your mouth, absolutely delicious albeit a bit greasier. The banchan (small side dishes including kimchi, potato salad, fish, seaweed, etc.) is tasty and plentiful and fills up the entire table. Service is rushed, but it's typically 2 or 3 women running around like crazy because the place is packed. The joy of cooking your own food is that it's a pretty self contained experience once you've got the ingredients. Jump right in there and start cooking when they bring the meat over, otherwise they might think you don't know what you're doing and start cooking for you. What fun is that? Besides, they don't have time for that shit! My last visit, I enjoyed a LARGE bowl of bibimbop for lunch. I was going to take a picture before I devoured it but it was way too good looking and I forgot. I have uploaded a picture of the food, I took it when I was about halfway done. With this HUGE bowl of delicious fresh vegetables, beef and a fried egg came a bowl of rice to mix in, hot sauce, 4 banchan (korean potato salad, seaweed, potato & sweet potato and some tangy kimchi) and all you can drink water. The price? $10 covered food, tax and a 20% tip. Pretty damn good for one of the most filling lunches I've had in a long time. I also tried out some of the Korean I've been practicing. As with anywhere else, if you speak the language you open doors. I think my server got a kick out of me ordering and thanking her in Korean (I'm big, white and kind of dopey looking so I don't think she expected it). About halfway through the meal, with me still speaking as much Korean as I could muster, she started passing things to me with her right hand, with the left hand on her forearm, as is common (I believe) etiquette. I found this interesting because I have never experienced this at this restaurant or any other until I tried out my language skills. I wonder if there is a connection? Anyone care to guess? Overall, a great restaurant that I have grown very fond of over the past month. I'll definitely make it part of my routine from now on! I just recommend you prepare before you go because I think ANY Korean BBQ restaurant can be a little intimidating if you don't know what you're doing. Steve L.'s review reminded me -- the panjan (seafood pancake) is really good, I highly recommend checking it out but it's awfully large for just two people, if you plan on eating everything else that is on it's way out!
(4)Chen S.
The best Korean restaurant I have ever been to. All Korean people around speaking Korean makes me feel like eating in the Korean drama. We went to this place at 2PM Saturaday and luckily only a couple waiting ahead of us. I recommend No.6 which is beef with fried rice. Also, the tofu soup is so awesome!!! Very full dinner that we take almost half of what we ordered to go. We will definitely recommend this great restaurant to my friends!!!
(5)Sarah H.
This is one of the best Korean BBQ places in Chicago. When you go you MUST order cha dol bae ki. It's their specialty. It's ridiculously delicious. 1 serving is ridiculously large, so be prepared to split a lot of your food. If you order naengmyun, you should split the bowl two ways as well (even three...) They don't take reservations. And they don't like it if you sit around and talk after you eat. If you are wondering why the servers are glaring you down after you are done eating, that's because they want you out - FAST. (If you couldn't tell, the restaurant is like the size of a college dorm room). Also, I would advise that you use the restroom before coming - the restroom is behind the kitchen, so you have to walk through the place where they wash dishes. Of course, if you could care less, whatever floats your boat. And service is just barely mediocre - even if you're Korean. Of course, if you're a regular, they will give you more meat per serving and give you little extras (yay). But the food is just amazing for a cheap price.
(5)Jimmy P.
Very good Korean barbecue. In particular I like their marinated crab side dish for the barbecue. Minor complaints: Kimchi could be more heavily marinated - but that's more personal taste. Meat sometimes tastes like it was frozen, although it's still good. Service: Typical service for Korean restaurants. If you don't ask for service they will ignore you. They aren't being rude (so I've learned). They're busy. My favorite Korean restaurant within Chicago limits.
(4)Heather K.
I'm a little tired of people complaining about the Korean servers. Every korean place i've ever been to are all cold and too point. I don't know or care if it's a race issue, Korean food is out of this world, i'll deal with it. There wasn't anything unusual about that at Cho Sun Ok. This place is tiny and we had to wait awhile. Everything was fantastic but the jab chae was edible but far to oily for my liking. Otherwise, 4 stars and two blocks away!! I'll be back :)
(4)Christina F.
Being Korean, nothing really compares to an authentic Korean meal that Mom and Dad make BUT holy crapola this place was good! It's a small place but all the employees are super nice and the food is delicious! Went there for a friend's bday and we left in food coma. It was even good enough to let Mom and Dad know about and of course they already knew about it. ;) I'd highly suggest that you get their earlier rather than later so you don't have to wait for a table. Mmmmm, droooool. Oh, and although parking in the city sucks, this place has free street parking right on Lincoln which is super convenient. Gorge on, my friends.
(4)Francis A.
Definitely one of my favorite Korean BBQ places. The service is extremely nice and very helpful (if you don't know what the hell you're doing/eating). It's cheap and it fills you and your friends up. oh, and it's delicious.
(4)William W.
The bulgogi was wonderful. The meat was so delectable that I found myself sadly staring into the pan when we finally finished all of the delicious meat. I also had the bibimbop which was a very good companion to the bulgogi. The service however was extremely awkward. While they did bring out the food in a timely manner and ask for my order promptly, the waitress made no attempt to be nice or particularly helpful and only came to start the bulgogi after she saw my friend try to do it himself. Regardless of the service, the food is great and I definitely suggest this place if you're in the mood for korean barbecue.
(4)Jason C.
Best Corean grub on the cheap in Chitown, period. Been going here since I was a young pup. Dad's friends with the owner of the place, and he's obviously still going strong to this day. Now you can't even get a seat on the weekends unless you're THAT starved for a fix of some sweet smelling kogi.
(5)Benson C.
This place never fails to deliver great food no matter how busy or crowded it gets in this intimate restaurant off Lincoln! I think the disclaimer from a previous review about making sure you know how to order and expect from Cho Sun Ok. First, the waitresses may speak and understand some English, but you have to be patient and understanding with misdelivered orders. Second, they are in a rush and are pretty busy, so don't be offended if they haven't visited your table lately. Third, if you're trying to flag down your waiter, it might be better to physically or vocally call them over to your table. With that being said, the chadolbegi (sp?), which is the thinly sliced meat prepared for your grilling pleasure, and then dipped in the sesame oil and pepper is AMAZING! I'm drooling just thinking about the food offered here. I've also had their kalbi (bbq short ribs) and soondubu jjigae (spicy tofu stew) which also deliciously AWESOME! If you can tolerate the close quarters of seating, the so-so service, and the random bathroom location behind the kitchen, GO TO Cho Sun Ok! You will be amazed at how great their food tastes!
(4)Vivek B.
My favorite Korean BBQ! I have been going here for years... and over time, this one has become the first choice when I think of Korean food. In fact, some of my friends from out of town (even New York) make it a point to stop by when they are in town. I am not Korean - not by far. Not even white... so, no you don't have to be Korean to eat here. And you don't need Korean friends either, though the couple of times that we went with a Korean friend, we did get this particular soup, that we have not found again. But then it was my friend who knew how to order it. Not that they would not serve us. What you do need is to have an adventurous spirit, and have your expectations set right. The waitresses are not very fluent in English but by no means rude. The place is always packed and they have their hands full. Try the service on those rare occasions when the place is less busy, and they will come to your table and grill the meat for you. And the bathroom is in the back, and you come out smelling like BBQ, and the decor is terrible... but when it comes to things that really matter to me in Korean food life... the Kimchi Fried Rice cooked in some beef fat, with a good cold beer (BYOB - so take your pick), there is not another place that I would be than at Cho Sun OK. Warm weather kills my appetite, and I stay away in the summer. But, as the autumn leaves fall, I rekindle my love for this place. Cho Sun OK is certainly one of the better things about the Chicago winter.
(5)Anna G.
You are probably going to have to wait, and that's something you're going to have to get over, because antsy as you(I) will get, it will be so worth it. First of all, it is just fun. you have your own little grill and if your server decides you are not completely functionally retarded (she had, appropriately, no faith in me) you will get to cook it yourself. I know people say you don't go to a restaurant to cook your own food, but yes you do. You go out to not have to meal plan, grocery shop, prep and clean. Actually applying the heat is rad. They give you bowls of all kinds of things to dip, sauce and otherwise accessorize your food. if you are with me, i will eat all the kim chi so ask for more. Everything we got was super tasty, I recommend the BBQ beef and the spicy squid (I love squid but we are in the midwest, so it's easy for it to be bad, and it's good here so eat up)
(5)Jason S.
I'm a korean and when i look what american people or mostly what white people are eating, it is hilarious. Korean never order such food. What I see is, they order Bul-Go-Gi which is one of the most easiest food that Koreans can make and it is not popular in korea. When u go there, order Kalbi and SamKyupSal and must eat korean pancake. Some of the food there, they are too lazy to cook, so they use this weird machine. That's the reason why I'm taking 1 star off. Another reason for taking out 1 more star is because they never have seats available. Price is somewhat expensive compare to what you're eating. If anyone wants to know good korean restaurant in Chicago just yelp me message me or sth cuz im always online.
(3)Katy O.
I have to agree with what a lot of the other posters were saying. It does seem like you have to be Korean to get good service here. However, my stepmom is Korean and I've been to a million Korean restaurants and the service here is about what you'd get no matter which Korean restaurant you went to and no matter how many Koreans you brought with you. You don't get American service, and that's okay as long as you realize it going in! My friend and I thought that we had specifically asked for the dish that gets the rice dumped in at the end. We were totally psyched for this dish. At the end we were told that we had ordered the wrong dish... I think we just didn't ask correctly. Confusing. Yes, you will reek like barbeque after you leave here. At least it's a good reek, right? As for the food, it is pretty good. I prefer San Soo Gab San a little further north.
(3)Kathy C.
The cha dol bae gi is awesome here, along with the fried rice you get at the end (it always ends up in takeout boxes because we've stuffed from everything else). Everyone talks about the service. Yes, even as a Korean I agree, they're not the friendliest, but as some reviewers said, you're not there for the service, you're there for the food. So just enjoy the food!
(4)Dave L.
One of the best places for a great Korean BBQ. However, service sucks. Meat quality is good and very tasty. Many options to choose from. The restaurants can get kind of hot when crowded and parking is such a pain. Despite the lack of good service, the place is well worth the wait and dining experience.
(4)Tracy L.
We went with my friend who spoke Korean so she did all the ordering for us. But even if you don't speak the language, I'm sure with some pointing and gesturing to the menu items you could order with minimal frustration. There were 3 of us, but we ordered the thinly sliced beef, which comes at a $30 minimum for two people. That was more than enough because they gave us all these side dishes (favorite: potato salad, tempura, & green onion leaves that go very well with the beef). We came around 1:30ish & it moderately busy, but we still got good service. A server came around a few times to check on us & make sure our beef was cooking well. At the end, they give you rice and mix it with your leftover side dishes for a Korean-style fried rice. In my opinion, I don't like it as much as other Asian fried rice dishes but by that time, I was so incredibly full that I may have been just a little bit biased. I am planning on checking out more Korean barbecue places because this place was so yummy. One last tip: come here on a VERY empty stomach to really milk your money's worth.
(4)Laurence K.
Other than being 100 degrees while we waited for a table This place has really tasty food . The service is a bit slow only 2 servers for whole place that seats about (50 jammed in) I've been here several times this time we had the marinated beef which was delicious. We also had the cold buckwheat noodle soup Bibim naeng myun which was also good. The noodles are wonderfully chewy and with the cold beef broth it's quite refreshing.
(4)Tatawan P.
I found my new favorite Korean BBQ restaurant that really blows the others away. I came here last night with a party of 4 and below is the verdict. How they Rock- non smoky because they use a large store shallow bowl as a grill that minimizes smoke and cooks more evenly, they make a fried rice towards the end with the sauces left in the grill and leftover panchan!, BYOB, and just awesome tasting food. I took out a star because the service still could be better, I guess I have high expectations when it comes to being 5 star. If you are in their peak rush time, they will bring out the food really fast and rush you. Doeji Gui- bbq beef sliced and marinated Galbi Gui - marinated bbq beef on bone Yukagae Jang - hot spicy beef soup (unique smoky flavor that differs from other places) Korean Pancake $64 total for 4 people without tip. (we brought our own drinks) The place is also BYOB, which really makes it possible for an excellent night. I picked up a bottle or red wine and Heffe-Weizen beer at Jewl-Osco that is a block away from the restaurant. Tip- be prepared to wait to get in- weekend peek dinner hours will have a wait. They DON'T take your name down, you just have to stand there and remember what party is before and after you- kind of like an Honor system. Dress in something you dont mind smelling like bbq meat after.
(4)Jayne K.
Cho Sun Ok is the second of my top 2 Korean BBQ restaurants in Chicago (San Soo Gab San is my fave!)...Be forewarned: I judge all K BBQ based on 2 dishes: Bulgogi and Kalbi. I may be a woman of limited taste but I know what I like and besides, Kimchee is Kimchee wherever you go. SSGS gets the slight nod here taste-wise but Cho Sun Ok has several advantages as well. First of all, it's closer and the parking's better. It's less expensive and the service is slightly better (though I think this has something to do with the location and the clientele rather than the K BBQ experience as a whole). It's BYOB and at the end, they pan fry up all the leftover rice, side dishes and meat for you to take home. Delicious. Though I still like San Soo Gab San better, Cho Sun Ok is still a great option and perhaps less intimidating if you're not with someone Korean. Definitely give this place a try!
(4)n l.
My friend's Korean colleague told us about this place. We tried to get here a little early to avoid the long lines so we only had to wait a little bit. Everything was absolutely perfection!!! I think this is the best Korean food I've ever had. Had the typical Kalbi and BulGoGi and some soups. I will definitely bring some friends back here. There is parking on the street, just remember to come early to avoid long lines!
(5)Nate C.
If you like... well... food I say a meal at Cho Sun Ok is worth your time. I've been a number of times and loved it every time. A few suggestions: bring your own booze (think soju); wait in line patiently, there is no maitre d' so pushing your way to the front will only get you glared at; try something other than bul-go-gi, it's all amazing.
(5)Barbara D.
3.5 stars Not the best Korean restaurant out there, but not bad either. I use to come here a lot at lunch time since my temp job was across the street, and each time it is the same thing: fast (if you make eye contact) but not overly friendly servers & good food....what else do you want? They also have Hite beer if you ask for it, it's not on the menu.
(3)Eliza C.
Step 1: WAIT. If you've come during the dinner rush, be prepared to wait in a line that goes out the door. You're also going to need to be really patient. Seating options aren't all that great so it ain't easy matching groups to the tables that open up. If you get seated before the 5 people in front of you, mumble an apology as you squeeze past them. Step 2: ORDER. Seriously. If you don't order the moment you're seated, you could be waiting awhile to get someone's attention later. Get an order of the chadolbaegi for each person and split a naengmyun. If you need time, you'll most likely need to wave someone over when you're ready to order. Step 3: EAT. If you ordered the chadolbaegi, be prepared for the fried rice. Once you're done cooking the sliced beef, one of the ladies will come over and create a tasty fried rice with the kimchi and other banchan that's left over. Woe to you if you ordered a naengmyun for yourself instead of sharing it. Though this isn't the first place I think of when I want Korean food, they have solid Korean fare.
(3)Jurgen J.
This has one of the best kalbi i've ever tasted in my 20 years of life. The outside is very crispy and the inside is moist and juicy. The other dishes may not stand out from other korean restaurant, but i really enjoy eating here. The large plate, in which you start with beef slices, and then continued with frying the rice with kimchi in the end is also delicious. I would highly recommend this place, at least you should try the kimchi and one of the dishes with the fried rice at the end.
(4)richard p.
Probably the best Korean restaurant in the CHI area. A very authentic experience for anyone that is not familiar with Korean culture. We go at least 2x a week. Highly recommend the a) Kalbee b) Kimchee Chigeae c) Cha Dul Gui (meat with no flavoring, but dipping sauce). If going for a light lunch, try the bibim bop and a Korean traditional dish, Nang Myung (noodles for warm days). Btw, for the price / value focused consumer, this is a great BUY. Enjoy!
(5)Nikki P.
Been coming here at least once a month for the last 20 years. The service is never good, but the food is always fantastic so it's a fair trade. Bulgogi, Japchae & Kimchi is what we always order, and sometimes the seafood pancake if we are really hungry.
(5)Lim K.
My husband and I ordered two rice cake dumpling soup and grilled mackerel for lunch. The soups were excellent. The dumplings tasted like homemade. The mackerel was not salty and grilled perfectly. this place has some good food. The only complaint would be that the ladies work there were not very attentive. No automatic water refills without asking.
(4)Vicki K.
I've been to Korean restaurants before, and I was really looking forward to Cho Sun Ok because I was in search for some good soft tofu soup. I had just had some in LA and was looking for a place in Chicago that hit my craving. I ordered the tofu soup and my husband ordered the korean barbeque. Since it was only one order for the meat, they cooked it for him away from the table. Unfortunately, it was slightly over cooked. I think we decided we prefer the charcoal style at San Soo Gab San more, but the plus side is that you don't reek as much as the smoke when you leave. My tofu soup came and I was expecting to drop my own egg inside of it, like I did in LA. Only when I ate it, I realized it was somewhere already mixed inside of the soup. Also, I didn't get my rice in a hot stone bowl- which is the part I really enjoy. However, I will say I enjoyed the side dishes and that I appreciated the fact that they continued to give us seconds when they saw that we had finished them. Overall, it was pretty good, but I'm still on the search for my tofu- guess I'll have to wait for when I go to LA for now.
(3)Dennis A.
While in Chicago on vacation we planned to meet Korean friends for dinner. They asked us to choose the restaurant, since we had a full schedule and were dependent on public transportation. A staff member at our hotel, who was also Korean, recommended Cho Sun Ok. She said it would be a long haul for our friends, considering where they live, but don't worry -- they will not miss a chance to dine at Cho Sun Ok. She was right. They jumped at the chance. I second the comments of other reviewers that the service really does suck. Reading other reviews, that seems to be the rule rather than the exception. The service does not suck, however, if you are in the company of a Korean tae kwon do master with a magnetic personality. We were, and benefited from the association. I couldn't get the wait staff's attention to save my life, or to get refill on my water for that matter. But Jin could get whatever he wanted. The food was wonderful. We had an item that does not appear among the menu selections you'll find on their website. It was beef brisket sliced deli-thin, then flash-fried in a stone pan over a burner in the center of the table. I forget the name, but it's in on the first page of the menu and it's apparently the house speciality. The side dishes & kimchis were plentiful and flavorful. Once we finished the main course the wait staff came to our table and whipped up a yummy fried rice using the side dishes we hadn't finished, similar to a dolsot bibimbap. Overall a great meal and a good experience. Had we been unable to take advantage of a loophole the sucky-service rule, the service would have tipped the scales toward a 3-star rating. If I had easily gotten a refill on my water, or if anyone had thought to ask me what I wanted to drink (beer please!) it might have become a 5.
(4)Lawrence Y.
A friend invited me to have KBBQ with him at CSO with his friends yesterday, and I didn't even have to think about it. We went, and there was a pretty long line out the door as it was. Luckily, they sat our group of 4 within five minutes. The restaurant is small and crowded, so I had hoped the food would live up to the hype. We had about 9 sides of banchan, no potatoes though (said they were out). We got two orders of bulgogi (although I was really craving some kalbi), but it was pretty good. Sides were all good - and she made fried rice afterwards. The servers we had weren't as attentive, but I know how busy it was. They were bumping into each other all over the place and even spilled something on the table behind us. At any rate, I think I liked the food enough to come back again. Hoping for better service on a less crowded night.
(3)Kristen C.
God, this place was amazing. Be prepared to wait in a line outside to even get in the door. It goes pretty fast, though, and it's WORTH IT. We started out with fried dumplings and the buckwheat noodles in the spicy broth. One order of noodles consists of TWO bowls FYI. There were three of us sharing, and with just the appetizers, we already had food to take home. Not to mention, they gave us all of these small bowls of various seasoned veggies, tofu, etc. We also got the slices of beef to grill at our table, and this was my favorite part! The beef is tender and sliced very thin, and you can add the ingredients they give you at the table to spice it up. Then, when you are out of meat, they bring rice and fry it up (with the remaining ingredients on the table) in the meat juice on the skillet! SO GOOD. Plus, it's BYOB!! One of us just grabbed some beers at the Jewel down the street while the others waited in line. My one criticism would be the service. We had to wait a while for water, which we really needed because of the spicyness, and it was hard to get the waitress's attention. That is why I didn't give it 5 stars. But if you have never tried Korean BBQ, start here!
(4)Rithwick R.
The lines can be long and the service is very abrupt, but boy is it worth it! My favorite is the Chadal Gui (unmarinated thin beef slices for self bbq). Served with great sides and sauces. The Kalbi can be hit-or-miss.
(5)Edwin L.
If you know me, I love Korean BBQ and I'm always down to check out a new korean restaurant! but like clock work, the beautful bbq smell over powers my overcoat and hair... and i always find myself going out to a club afterwards, i wonder why do all the big girl always hollar at me... ^_^ j/k..... Back to my review... I had to check out this spot a few times before i posted a review... So.......... this is why I provided this joint with only three stars: Here is the run down... -=Service=- My complaint is more with the service. Their servers were rude every time and rushed even for Korean standards. I notice that the Korean customers where receiving better service, am I being singled out cause I'm not Korean? I recommend San Soo Gap San over this spot as they are more personable. -=Food=- I can deal with the bad service just as long as the food was awesome... but in their case, their food was simply alright. don't get me wrong or anything, it food wasn't bad, simply nothing amazing. For Korean food, I recommend San Soo Gap San.
(3)Jason L.
Let me first start by stating that I've been a customer of this place for 6+ years. The service + quality of food have gone down the drain during the last 2 yrs, and I never plan to make another visit... EVER. The quality of meat is not like how it used to be 2 years ago. It is dry and tough. This place is definitely sourcing their meat from a different/cheaper place. The servers rush your grill to get you out the door, so they can seat the next group as fast as humanly possible. I understand that there are people waiting for a table, but jeezzz... give me at least an hour to finish the food. I'm paying my hard earned money to enjoy a decent meal. Don't rush me out the door. Lastly, it looks like they recently lost their liquor license. They do allow BYOB, but for people who don't want to bother going to a liquor store before dinner... this is a huge hassle. All in all, they lost a loyal customer and judging by comments from many of my friends who used to frequent this joint, they will lose many more going forward.
(1)Minna A.
I love Cho Sun Ok! Although.. one star taken off for the small space and crowded long wait! Anytime I have a friend who wants to try Korean food for their first time, I make certain to take them here, and it hasn't disappointed yet! I always get the chadolbaegee grill. With all the side dishes, it's always sufficiently filling! The best part, however, is at the END of the meal!!!! The ladies bring out rice, kimchi and other mystery ingredients to make a mixed fried rice from the stone used to grill your meats! This is a favorite of mine and my extended family. It's also my cousin's favorite restaurant of all time and... I plan on making him pay the next time we go! :)
(4)Edward M.
I love this place; between Crisp for lunch/korean chicken wings and here for dinner, you can basically cover all of your korean food cravings (and maybe San Soo Gab San for late late night). but this is the only place i go to once a week in terms of bbq, you should only order the cha dol bae gi, like 99% percent of the other tables around you. the portions are big enough, not to mention all of the side dishes (more and better than any other place in chicago. and bottomless, of course) and the signature kimchi fried rice at the end (make sure to scrape the best part off the bottom of the pan!). if you have the space, order the cold buckwheat noodles too; a refreshing, palate-cleansing contrast to the stronger korean flavors the parts of the usual cho sun ok visit that do suck also make it a great experience, like a badge of honor. i'm talking about the long waits in a line that usually spills out the door and crammed "waiting area". and the curt (but efficient) service. and the cozy interior. but really it just means that this place is worth the wait. sit back in line, make some new friends. and if you're a good customer, they'll even give you some love from time to time. the other thing to watch out: apparently they just turned BYOB! alcohol and korean bbq is a required combo, so make sure to bring your own soju or beer. not wine though; that's just weird based on the food and the obvious pride they take in their business (mint gum at the end? yes please!), give some love back. and join the club!
(5)Bora U.
I've been coming to Cho Sun Ok since I was a young girl. This was one of my grandmother's favorite and became a family tradition to come here everytime we came to Chicago to visit (about twice a year). Now that I live in Chicago, this is the first place I think to take my parents, friends and co-workers. The ONLY reason to come to CSO is for the "cha-dol bae-gi" which is thinly sliced brisket. Chadol is a fattier part of the cow so you'll notice the fat creates a marbel-like pattern. I've noticed some of the reviews (complaints) about poor service and minor incidents of "racism." Really people - Koreans function better when asked. The concept of "service" is very American - the only country where people tip the way they do. Anyway, this will be more of a Korean BBQ 101 rather than a review. Once you order, the waitress will come out with a stone grill and a large assortment of traditional side dishes. They'll also bring out side dishes which are meant to be eaten with the meat like the green onion salad, marinated onions, and oil/salt/pepper dip. In addition, they'll give you a bowl of cold greens - I've been scolded many times for not touching the stuff. The waitress tells me each time that it's good to eat with the meat to ensure that the fat and cholesteral come out of your system (I wouldn't WebMD her on that). Once the stone grill is nice and hot, the waitress will come over and start cooking some of the meat. For the more proficient (or the regulars) they'll usually leave you to your own devices - especially if you look like you know what you're doing. Just a note, when grilling Korean bbq - remember it's the one-flip rule. Cook well enough on one side, then flip over and cook on the other - none of that flipping over 5 times to make sure it's done on both sides. If you're running low on side dishes, it's okay to ask for more. Actually, it's encouraged - the waitresses will act annoyed, but it's a compliment to them because you're letting them know that the sides taste good! After you're done with the meat the waitress will come by and ask if you'd like stir-fryed rice (bokkum-bap). This is the BEST part. She'll mix in all your left over side dishes along with rice and butter. She'll stir all the ingredients in and let the rice simmer on the stone grill until it's ready. Then, take your spoon and dig in! I've had the bulgogi and galbi at CSO. Doesn't compare to the chadol baegi. I've also had the naegmyun and soondooboo jjigae there - not so great. Just stick with the chadol baegi. $20.95/2 person serving. They give VERY generous portions.
(5)Meredith B.
mmmmmmmmmmm..... just mmmmmm...... I have been wanting to try this place for a long time, and now that I live but a half mile away, I decided it was time. My boyfriend and I arrived on a Friday night around 7, and were subsequently confused by whether or not we should alert someone as to our presence. We tried to assimilate and not be all American-y and go up to a busy waitress and be like "hello. table for 2 please." So instead we just...waited. Everyone sort of did it by the honor system, and when a table opened up a waitress came over and escorted the people who arrived first to it. It worked out. Teeny waiting area though. Not like that's really important. We did our homework about Korean barbecue and this restaurant in particular, so we had an idea of what to expect. Namely - service that is quick and to the point. No chit-chat, no reading a list of daily specials, just "you know what you want? ok." It's just about getting the food to the table, ASAP. We ordered the Bulgogi, since I've had that before in college and loved it. The side dishes were delicious - I used to work at a Korean/Japanese restaurant in college and was delighted to see the familiarity. Apparently there are a few dishes that are so traditional that they are universal at all Korean barbecue places. They were all delicious - try every one! Our bulgogi was wonderful, so deliciously seasoned and tender. The waitress came over and tossed it in the stone pot at the end of the table, and stirred it around every now and then, but we had fun stirring it around too. When you come here, just don't do anything stupid like we did. My boyfriend wanted to put the rice in the stone bowl (other tables ordered entrees that apparently come with rice in the stone bowl, instead of on the side like ours). I was a little scared to do that, since the waitresses seemed pretty serious and like they would not be amused by a foolish American messing up the entree. He insisted, and I was right: we were subsequently chastised. Oops. I tried to hard to act like I knew what we were going, but it was a definite Korean barbecue FAIL. But you know what? It was delicious our way, so I don't really care so much. When we were almost finished, the waitress put the check down, and then when we hadn't paid (still eating a little), she came by and tapped the check as if to say "Pay this please, and go away so someone else can sit down!" Haha. So not your typical dining experience. Again, I would never call this "bad service" - different culture, different kind of restaurant, different social norms. I try to fit in and do what is expected as well as I can when I'm having a new dining experience. Still, I'm taking a star down not for *quality* of service, but because I didn't feel exactly relaxed or put at ease in this particular environment. The food though - is exceptional. I plan to return and try something new, something that other yelp-ers are raving about! And like, 95% of the people in the restaurant were Korean - and you know you've got it right when the nationals are eating there.
(4)Captain G.
Best Korean food in Chicago. Four thumbs up. Must have their cold noodles. Parking could be a challenge so arrive early. Here's my buddy's review which I think it's very helpful: bit.ly/jRWyd
(4)Irene H.
I love this place... I've been here a handful of times thanks to my loving Chicago friends. - If you smell like flowers going in, don't expect to smell like flowers coming out. Like most Korean bbq places, you get 'smoked' and your hair/clothes are going to reek of it. We like to leave coats/jackets in the car... - It's a small Asian joint. Asian places usually emphasize food over service. So don't expect perfect service. It's like when you're with your parents. Sometimes you need to remind them 3 times that you want some Coke because they're working on a million things. (Sidenote: They don't serve Mountain Dew. My friend came and wanted MD and the lady asked him 'fried or boiled' because she heard 'mandoo' i.e. dumplings. I got a kick out of it). - Your breath will probably stink afterwards. The complimentary gum or lollipop that comes with your bill won't cut it. My friend's convinced only special people get the lollipops. - There's a parking lot behind the place with Korean-only signs. Free parking for the Koreans... us non-Koreans just manage to find street parking. - Sometimes the wait gets ridiculous but it's worth it. Food: - Cha-dol Gui... a huge platter of beef that you cook on the stone plate. Tons of meat for two (I think it's only $25). If you're inept at cooking it, the ladies will take over. I like eating it with the oily/salt dipping sauce and the 'grass'. After you're done grilling, they dump kimchi rice, and some of the side dishes for nice kimchi fried rice (great for bringing home and eating at 3am). I like it when it's slightly crispy/burnt which can lead to a war with the servers because they like to turn the grill off = no crispy rice! - Sides. There are tons of the free ban-chan. One reason to love Korean food! - Haemul panjun (seafood pancake). I always love my haemul panjun. Unfortunately sometimes they don't cook it as well. I like mine nice and crispy. - Naeng myun (cold noodles). Refreshing with the pear slices. I like to eat this when it's hot out.
(5)Elleb K.
Little restaurant. Roughly 30 min wait. Plenty of street parking. Food was good, not great, but good enough. Chadol baegi () was good. Kimchi was not enough spicy as I am acustomed to. (Homemade kimchi is always best.) My stomach is so full. I ate enough for 4. Plenty of meat for everyone as well as leftovers. I need a long walk aid in my digestion.
(4)Stephanie C.
Chicago is notorious for terrible and antiquated Korean food. Cho Sun Ok is one of the few places that have quality korean food that's easy on the wallet. Service is subpar, only because the place gets super busy and all the servers are trying to get to everyone's needs quickly. The Cha Dol is very good, with just the right amount of marbling on each slice of meat. The best part is the fried rice they make at the end! Cho Sun Ok is definitely a gem that everyone should visit while in Chicago.
(4)Nida F.
This place makes me want to learn Korean just so I could say "Delicious"! It's the only way I can describe this place. My bf and I use to walk by constantly when he lived in the area, and our stomachs would growl every time--- Fresh, grilled, spicy Asian meat....mmmmm I'm drooling thinking about it now. Then one day we couldn't take it any longer and we decided to ventured in. It's BYOB and there is a CVS around the corner. We waited a good 20 minutes in the cramp vestibule with heaters blowing in. This place was jam packed! but we could now see what all the fuss and long lines were about.. this place is super small.. but soo cool inside once you look! Each table has its own stove, and it's a very fun, family oriented atmosphere. It was finally our turn and we were seated only to find out English was barely spoken! Thank god we knew what bulgogi was--- and we simply ordered that. We were thrown about 10 small plates with interesting appetizers. We dug in and played " top chef" analyzing and trying to figure out what we were eating... My fave is the fake potato salad made with apple! When the waitress finally fired up the grill we were ready. They threw the meat in and we had no idea what to do.. it was sizzling away, so my BF did what most men would do.. he stirred the pot!--- bad idea! My bf had his hand slapped! Literally! lol.. The waitress motioned you let it sit.. with a smile.... he didn't care about the slapping, it made us feel like we fit in more, minus the language barrier... When we started eating and I soon realized this was what heaven must taste like ! So juicy, so good! We gobbled it all up and out bill was only about $$22! Amazing! We have been back numerous times and I would recommend it to anyone who isn't afraid to go to the hole in the wall restaurants. You won't get good service-- so don't expect it, or hold it against them.. It also isn't the trendiest spot --- so make sure you bring the "right type" of company... ! This place makes you feel like you are tasting how Korean food should really be cooked--/ try it out and I know you will return!
(5)Cindy K.
Let me stipulate for you LA or fob Korean folk, that this is a great Korean restaurant *for the Midwest*. You can't compare the Korean food in Chicago to LA or Korea. It's like comparing TGI Fridays to Charlie Trotter's. I'm not normally a fan of chadolbaegi (the unmarinated meat) but this is the only place that I will eat it and love it. Their nengmyung is also really good, both the soupy kind and the spicy non-soupy kind. I LOVE their side dishes. I could sit there and eat rice and just that and be happy. Also good: the seafood pancake and the kimchi jigae. The only thing I've had there that I didn't like was the bulgogi. Your average Korean mom makes it a lot better. It's a small space that fills up fast for dinner. Service isn't exactly perky and friendly, but I haven't had issues with them being too rude either. But then I have low expectations for Korean restaurants. They aren't being racist (though some are) but in this case, they're pretty chilly toward everyone. My clothes don't reek as much leaving here as it does from other places like Sansoogabsan. Speaking of clothes, NEVER enter into a Korean restaurant wearing something that you can't just throw in the wash. Even in the dead of winter, I will leave my coat in the car. As far as food quality goes, this place is one of the best that Chicago has to offer. I always, without fail, waddle out of here looking like I'm carrying a food baby. mmm mmm good.
(5)Cakeeate R.
THIS PLACE MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL, I AM LIVID! Before I start my review, I would like to address the people who reviewed this restaurant and had the nerve to defend the horrific service, (as if it is a common Korean restaurant accommodation to be rude and that patrons need to just accept it), you should be ashamed of yourselves. The food was excellent, because I COOKED IT! However, while I was cooking, the server had the nerve to grab the tongs out of my hands with such disgust, as if I was bastardizing their cuisine. Excuse me if I prefer my rice toasted on the stone without the 5 pounds of kimchi they dump in it (which, mind you, they re-served to another table after my entire table dipped their possible herpe/hepatitis/or otherwise ridden chopsticks in! DISGUSTING!) I'm cooking it, I'm eating it, and I'm paying for it dammit!, so leave me the fuck alone! Not to mention the fact that I had to ask for water several times and ALL the servers had the nerve to have a family style luncheon off to the side, while their guests wait for them to um, lets see, SERVE THEM?!!! I'm so pissed that I can't even write a cohesive review. I'd rather go to HMart, buy my own ingredients and cook it in the comfort of my own home instead of being disrespected by some bitter-ass Korean bitches that are employed in the SERVICE industry for crying out loud!!! Oh, and P.S. the one unisex bathroom is located all the way in the back of the restaurant, which you have to literally walk through the kitchen in order to get to it. Talk about sanitation issues, considering we're dealing with serving raw meat here. All in all, a terrible excuse for a restaurant. If you are a masochist and want to be abused, then be my guest. Scratch that, be THEIR guest.
(1)Steve M.
Went there for lunch with a friend. We're both American. Most customers were Korean. When the waitress brought only four dishes of ponchon, I asked is that all we get, she said yes. Looked around and saw that the Korean customers was getting much more. Talk about discrimination! Waited 20 minutes for a water-refill. Waited another 20 minutes for the check. Place was not that busy. Go for food only. Service and attitudes stinks!
(3)Jennifer J.
This is my go-to Korean restaurant in Chicago! It's always packed and for a good reason. Go early on weekend nights, especially when it's cold so you can get a spot indoors. The place does move really quick if you are waiting for a table so don't give up entirely. Bul-gol-gi is great but my favorite is the spicy pork dish called Doeji Gui. It's very similar to how the Bul-gol-gi beef is cooked, but the flavors are much more spicier. I'm on a forever quest to find great spicy dishes and this falls up there on my favorites list. Personally, I would skip the do-it-yourself bbq step since you can have it cooked even better by the real cooks in the back. It's fun with a group of people to bbq at the table, but it's also not necessary for a good meal. The banchan (side dishes) are always great and they give you a great variety...about 12-14 of them. You can always ask for me, which I can't resist. Fantastic prices and we never leave spending more than $35 (including tip) for two people. Bf is a super big fan of this place. -Good tip: Make sure you either don't take your coat inside or if you do, hang it up in the closet closed closets at the back of the place. If you don't, your clothing will smell like a Korean bbq and I'm not sure if your fellow commuters during the work week want to smell that at 8am.
(5)Capt M.
Cho Sun NOT Ok. Rude Rude RUDE service. I won't be going back, sorry. Restaurant is open till 10:30PM. Walked in at 9:45PM and there was only one table open. Tried to order a couple of items on menu, waitress accepted order then came out and said they only had ONE dish on the menu available, #6. Beef was not marinated but did taste good once cooked with garlic and some sides. By 10:30PM there was only one table besides us with customers still eating. Their staff (all female) had one busser standing at the table giving them dirty looks. After they got the hint they left. Then same young lady came over to our table where two us were still eating and started with dirty looks. I asked her, "Do you have a question?" she then walked away. We got the hint. Even though one of our four in our group was Korean, we were still treating like dog poo. Sorry, I will never return. Too many choices of restaurants in Chicago to be treated like this.
(1)Jae K.
Every time I visit my brother in Chicago, I HAVE to make a stop here. The restaurant is extremely small and there is always a line, but that's a good sign of a tasty joint. Korean restaurants (my s(e)oul food) are always fun because you can cook at the table. There are always tons of little dishes as well. We usually get a bunch of thinly sliced meat that we cook with garlic and onions. This is usually dipped in a sesame seed sauce with pepper and salt. The second course (if you aren't stuffed to the brim) is to make a sort of fried rice with all the remaining vegetables, meat, and red pepper sauce. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The way you know that it's a good Korean restaurant? A Korean person (me) actually recommends it. The same question for the Lou? None. Nuff' said.
(5)Amy L.
I want to write a love sonnet to Cho Sun Ok. That is how much I am in love with this place. It's definitely worth it to grab a Korean friend to come with you if you have one. You'll get more food, better service (sometimes), and tons of side dishes! Whenever I come here, usually with a bunch of friends, we always get: Bulgogi (for two) Chadulbaegi (for two) and Japche The chadulbaegi is especially amazing. I am so thankful to have Korean friends who introduce me to such heavenly food. And then afterwards, they take all your leftover side dishes and everything and make this AWESOME kimchi fried rice that will make your face melt with deliciousness. Now, the downside of Cho Sun Ok is that there is almost ALWAYS a line out the door. If you don't want to wait in line for 30+ minutes, come in the middle of the day when everyone else is at work. Or come on Thanksgiving, when everyone else is home with their families. Those are the only two times I've ever seen the restaurant even partially empty. It also helped that I lived like, literally a block away from this place, so it was never a big deal to me if the place was packed and I'd have to come back another time. I can see how it would be very frustrating if you made a special trip to come up here though. The service is not that great. The Korean ladies are nice-ish, but always very abrupt and barely ever talk to you. Even if you're Korean. And they're not very good about refilling your water, so ration it out.. like you're in the desert.. Also wear clothes you won't mind washing right after because you will be very deliciously stinky afterwards. But don't worry. It's all worth it for the previously mentioned face-melting food, I promise.
(5)Jinhee S.
if you're really picky about restaurant service and cant stand dirty bathrooms, then i suggest you dont step foot into this restaurant. BUT, if u want to try some bombass korean bbq, then youre def. at the right spot. although you may have to wait awhile to be seated, this restaurant has some fresh meat, like cha-dol, kalbi, and bulgogi and their variety of seafoods is very delicious. yes, you may wait 45min-1hr to be seated. yes, the bathrooms very dirty and in the back of the kitchen. yes, the service is horrible. you may have to wait awhile to even get a simple drink. (but remember, its byob =) ! ) but wat else would you need? they bring out ur order of meat, plentiful side dishes that are so good, water, and at the end of your meal, they even make fried rice for you. all you have to do is just cook the meat and eat and enjoy. =)
(4)Hubert L.
Wow. Tried to go here several times in the past but the lines were always too long. Hands down best KBBQ place I've had in Chicago. There's already a ton of reviews of this place so I'll keep it short and sweet: Pros: BYOB Tasty meats Tasty and fresh sides. The Fried Kim Chi Rice they make you after your KBBQ. Cons: The disoriented look on your face when you walk to the bathroom and you see a guy cutting up meat. (Pro for spectating regulars)
(5)Brad S.
Super K BBQ! You're going to wait a little bit for a table, as this place is very popular. They have a winning formula: tables with gas burners built in, traditional Korean women serving you and cooking your food, and fresh ingredients. We were served no less than 9 mini dishes including kimchi, seaweed, cucumbers, potatoes, fish paste, bean sprouts, apple slaw, and rice. The meat is delivered raw and you get to have control over how it's cooked. Super fun, very affordable, and delicious. I'm making this a regular event each month.
(4)Annie W.
You can never go wrong when the patrons all around are Korean. So don some old clothes and be prepared to stink heavily of meat and scallions--no surprise there, right? The Chadolbeggi is super thin unmarinated meat where they'll toss in kimchi and rice afterwards to make that yummy fried rice. I though mixing in all that left over juices was pretty damn good. Hits the spot. We also ordered the soondoobu (a tad on the salty side) and seafood pancake (some parts tasted a little undercooked? but maybe I just like mine a little less gooey). The place is small but cute inside and definitely beats many Asian places in terms of decor. This has probably become my favorite Korean restaurant in Chi-town.
(4)Joe H.
Late lunch is the new dinner. Me and the old girl went in late afternoon on a Sunday and were the only white folks in the place. Like Great Sea up on Lawrence, this bodes well for the food and experience. Did I mention we had a bottle of wine in hand? Sunday funday. Service was fine as long as you're not in an extreme hurry. And why would you be? The unmarinated meat was cooked to perfection, even if we had to snag a few pieces from the stone pan when the waitress wasn't looking. By the end when the fried rice was cooked up I needed wheels to roll me out...in a good way.
(4)Eric Q.
This little restaurant on the corner is perfect for taking a couple friends or a date out for a nice little meal; BYOB too. It is usually quite packed there and for a good reason. It's delicious! This is my favourite spot for Bul-Gol-Gi and their fried rice makes me smile as it is not as heavy or greasey as some places. I have yet to try the Chadolbaegi but, have heard it is a specialty of theirs. I love the "homey" feel you get being inside there.
(5)choong l.
Ask any Korean about their top choices for grilled meat or neng-myun (buckwheat noodles in cold broth) they'll invariably mention Cho Sun Ok. Even when they never fail to add, "but it's overrun with non-Koreans," this place is an exception to the rule that a place filled with just the 'natives' is the most authentic. It's been in business for close to three decades, and I've been coming for 10 years and the food hasn't changed one bit. Know what you're getting into. The serving staff (most of them have been on staff for years) are trained to do one thing -- take your order, bring your food, and correct your mistakes when you're fumbling at the grill. If you expected anything beyond that... like checking up on you to see if you needed anything else, or making small chat... you'll be sorely disappointed. Now, for things that they are trained to do, they are ruthlessly efficient... and they have to be. It's a tiny join with rapid turnovers, and they've gotten this to a science -- you'll observe they have the optimum number of servers to be as efficient as possible while avoiding colliding into each other in the tiny space. None of the Koreans will complain, and you shoudn't either. Ah, and don't be taken aback if they scurry up to yoru table, snatch the tong from your inept hands and throw a jaw-dropping amount of meat onto the hot grill, give it a quick stir or two and scurry away without saying a word. That's because if you don't keep an ample amount of food covering the grill surface, the au jus will eventually burn and smoke up. Another misconception is that non-Koreans are treated like second class citizens. Not true. The barebones service applies to everyone, young and old, light and dark skinned. I'm a Korean. I know. It's just the way it is, and it's not to be rude, but just how it is. Enough glowing raves were said about the BBQ, but people also forget about their delicious side dishes. Yes, these are typical of the fare that grace the table at just about any Korean restaurants, but Cho Sun Ok's are delicate (not salty, sugary or overly spicy), free of MSGs and thoughtfully made. The "kimchi in cold broth" that is served per person that accompanies their BBQ is a good example. I've known pregnant friends who had cravings specifically for this stuff. Speaking of cold broth, another thing most non-Koreans miss is the naeng-myun. There's several kind (spicy one without broth, or the one in cold broth) but I'm talking about the latter. Yes, cold buckwheat noodle soup sounds weird, and it definitely isn't as palatable as our BBQ meat, but it's an indispensible delicacy for the summer weather for Koreans, and Cho Sun Ok's reputed be one of the best restaurants for this in the city. If you come during lunch hours, you'll see many Koreans happily slurping away with their faces buried in the big bowl. Hint: you would normally season it up with the vinegar (~2 tbs), korean mustard (~1-2 tsp)and hot pepper paste (optional) that accompany the dish. It's one of the rare places that deserves a five star for its authenticity and the general awesomeness of the food. For most of my (Korean) friends, this is their favorite restaurants in Chicago.
(5)Y G.
My Korean friends take me here a lot, they would know where good Korean food is right? We always do Korean bbq with Cha-Dal-Bae-Gi. SWEET MOTHER OF..its damn good. Plus all the ban-chan (side dishes) they give you is over the top! I came here once, without my Korean sidekicks, with my family and used my limited 20-words vocab of Korean to order. I succeeded and we left full, sleepy, and constipated. Always a good sign. If you aren't familiar with Korean bbq, definitely go a couple of times with someone who is. The servers do speak english, but its super fast and their words only register after a couple of seconds while my brain breaks it down slowly and translate the accent. So expect a lot of pointing at the menu and at other strangers' food. Its ok, they are all used to it. As with any bbq method, you will end up smelling like a July 4th party. We came here for dinner and the line/wait was long. Try to go during lunch or super early/late dinner. You pay around $12/person (usually in a group). Does that rock or what??? Oh yeah there's always street parking in that area. That alone deserves 5 stars.
(5)Joe A.
Service, or lack thereof is the problem here. And it's not an issue of nationality, hierarchy, customs, or traditions. It's just bad business practices and a flow of ignorant fresh guests or browbeaten victims trudging back to this place for a beatdown and some decent Korean food. I've come here twice over the last 10+ years and wondered each time what was wrong with the people running this place. I hear from Korean and non-Korean friends that the food is ok. Last month, I invited my family here for a lunch at my brother in law's suggestion to give it a second chance . So I drive my parents, wife, kids... and they walk in, sit down at an open table while I go park. No greetings, no hellos. By the time I walk in a couple of minutes later, I see the waitress yelling at my father to move our group to another table. I look around, there's nobody in the place, and I'm thinking to myself, why are you insisting that we move near the door? Why can't we pick the table? So I walk over and tell her that we are expecting two more (bro-in-law, sis) and that we like the table. And I tell her to stop yelling. She goes right back to telling us to move. Now he's a more broad minded man than I and would have moved, but the only moving I did was to walk my family out. Now we all know there aren't too many places within the city for good Korean food, but there are plenty of avenues where the appetizers don't start with insults "on the house". Did I mention that I am Korean? This place is an equal opportunity hellhole. Stay away from here.
(1)Ms. R.
This review is only based on take-out orders from here. Have really only ordered bibim bap because wanted to eat something somewhat healthy and you get a decent serving for $7. I can usually have two meals from one order and the meal is tasty. I'd have to agree with a lot of the reviewers about their rude and abrupt service, and that's why I won't order from them again or dine in ever. They have to work on their language issues. If you're in the service industry here in the USA, you need to speak and understand English. My boyfriend ordered take out from there once. He ordered the #27 and when he went to pick up his order, he instead got a $27 meal! He was too nice (and hungry) to say anything, so he just paid and left with his $27 meal. Needless to say, he was not expecting to pay that much for dinner that night.
(1)Danny C.
I think I almost cried when I took my first bite. This place came highly recommended by a co-worker of mine. She's Korean, lives here, and she raved about this place. We had the Bulgulgi, and that Pancheon seafood pancake stuff. Wow, SOOOO good. I've never been to Korea, but I imagine this is what it feels like there, come in from the cold to tasty, hearty, *Seoul* food. No pun intended. Ok, maybe a little. The decor reminds of every other good-ass Asian restaurant. It can be best described as the "we don't fuck around" look. They really are all about the food. The waitress either barely spoke English or barely spoke. It was awesome. She was that perfect diner, no nonsense, get you in, fed, and out, lady. Cept, Korean. If you love flavor, meat, and a casual good time. Please go and grill up some flesh. Your stomach will thank you! Definitely going back soon...
(4)caroline k.
Best Korean I've had in Chicago, by far. Showed up on a weekday night at 7:30pm and the place was totally packed! We were seated after 15 minutes, and ordered the soondubu jigae (really good, spicy, and huge) and 2 orders of the ssamgyupsal (good, but very fatty) just to get the rice bokeum they make for you in the end. I have never seen this done at any other Korean restaurant, but it's awesome, and the banchan is really fresh, plentiful, and really authentic. I've been to most of the other popular Korean joints in the Chicago area and this one tops my list.
(5)Katty D.
This used to be a regular spot for me and my favorite 4 dinner friends - but it was recently replaced with Solga. complaints - the line to get a table is impossible, the ventilation sucks and you smell like garlic for the next 3 days and they have 2 waitresses that serve the whole joint. why we go there - the Chadolbaegi - its a non marinated beef cooked table side on a stone plate. They are also known for their buckwheat noodles and I personally love their seol lang tang. The best part of the meal if you order Chadolbaegi - they make this great fried rice with all the leftover panchan at the table and kimchi.
(4)Sonya P.
this place has been around for over 20 years and the reason is the food. very authentic, especially the kimchees, with no "americanized" dishes. i went here as a child, moved away for 10 yrs, and returned, but food hasn't changed thank god. favorites are chadolbaegi, yookgaejang, moolnaengmyun, sollungtang. some dishes that are popular with my american friends include japchae, manduguk, ojinguh bokum, and of course galbi. place has no ambience whatsoever, wait svc is always rushed during peak hours 6:00-9:00 (even if you're korean, which i am). tip for the newbies: if you want to cook at the table, order the non-marinated meats, or order at least 3 portions of the marinated meats. otherwise they will cook it for you. they only do the tableside post-meat rice saute if you order a non-marinated meat. also if you like your roasted fish, but prefer not to have it staring at you while you eat, ask them to cut the head off for you before serving. * Pros: REAL Korean food like mom makes, fresh side dishes, great kimchees, tableside kimchee fried rice * Cons: service can be rushed, wait staff not fluent in English although getting better about this in the last few years
(5)Sean C.
Go here if you want some great korean food for a reasonable price, I reccomend the bulgogi beef, Chapchae, and bibim-men, (bi-bim-bap with buckwheat noodles). could be tough to find a seat at times, but a good BYOB restaurant that is reasonably priced.....need I say more?
(4)Sue K.
Come early if you don't want to wait - crowded even on week nights. Cha dol bae gi is their specialty - thin beef cooked on table in stone griddle. Remaining puddle of glorious fat is used to cook up the meanest fried rice you ever had. Another house specialty is the yolmu kimchee -- (not the regular cabbage kimchee most people know). It's the little bowl of cold red broth with stemmy greens inside. Get the cold noodles in broth (mool naeng myun), also very good here, and pour some of the kimchee liquid in. Now you're eating for real.
(5)Anonymous F.
The food was good; very good, in fact. I was a little disturbed by the lack of rice, and the waitress's hasty attempts at explaining the rice situation did little to resolve my confusion. I still don't know why we didn't get any. But food aside, this place is insane. If you're there on a weekend, do not let them seat you close to the door. We thought we got lucky because we were seated just before the line got long, but oh how wrong we were. People line up for hours in and outside this place, so if you're closest to the door you're going to have people staring at you throughout the meal. We were glared at for taking too long, stared at while eating, and our food was endlessly commented upon. One guy even thought it was okay to lean on our table! I could barely concentrate on my food because the whole experience was so uncomfortable. Do yourself a favor and go here on a weekday.
(3)Edward P.
I eat here a few times a year. I love the Bulgoki. It's a great BYOB spot in the neighborhood. The service is decent. It's a good place.
(4)ron k.
Let's get this $hit straight..... I'm korean and every other korean place in the city ranks under this place in my opinion..... with that said this place has f*cked up service.... i'm not gonna lie..... but if you like meat you can't beat the cha dol bae gi.... hands down the best deal on korean food on the planet earth or at least in chi town...... if you want good food and can cope with f*cked service go here cus its as good as it gets here in chi-town and the chicago land area and its dirty cheap.
(5)Angie K.
Mind you, don't where your nicest clothes to this place - it'll all end up smelling like Korean BBQ! That said, this place is definitely one of my favorite Korean food places in Chicago. The menu has everything you could want - jji gae's, lots of meat to BBQ right on the table, etc. I went with a group of friends last time and the pile of meat we got at the table looked like it was the size of a small cow! Portions are great, price is reasonable, and the food just tastes good. Not as good as Ktown in LA, but good all the same...
(4)Claire G.
Yay! Open for business. I love the food here - it's very close to where I live, so I get my kimchi fix on whenever I like. It's BYOB. It's not a good place to take vegetarians. Oops - discovered that the hard way.
(4)Steven T.
Love it here: whenever I'm in the mood for a stuffing of Korean feast, I call some of my study group (i'm the only non-Korean) and indulge in the biggest variety of food you'll have at your own table: from the soup to the banchan to the naengmyun, sometimes I don't even know where to begin eating because there's so much going on in front of my face. Yum yum yum is all I have to say.
(5)Chan K.
Get here early on the weekends to avoid the wait. Traditional Korean dishes and side dishes were good (except the ones with potato had too much sugar for my tastes). Bring some friends along as some of the specialty dishes are meant for groups of two or more.
(3)Ben E.
This is good stuff. Unlike a few Korean places I've visited, where my Korean friends had to bitch out the servers for not bringing the same panchan as they were providing to entirely Korean groups, I got the full variety of options. As for the food, it's really good quality and I have no complaints. I'm a bigger fan of Korean places that have charcoal grills on the tables, but the stone pans are a pretty good substitute. This restaurant can get very crowded, so be forewarned. It's popular, and rightfully so. My only complaint is that even though they do offer beer, for some bizarre reason it's not on the menu. Maybe I'm just utterly idiotic, but I swear they don't list it at all. I've had better Korean food in Chicago and NYC, but I'd go back here any time.
(4)Fran R.
My boyfriend and I went to this place last night. OMG, the food was out of this world. We did the recom. on yelp and did the un-marinated beef. We also got dumplings. 10 for $4.00 hello. It is not the grill type place, they give you stoneware to cook on. the fried rice takes you back a bit, oh so good. I still can not stop thinking about this place. I live in Brookfeild and I would go thru rush hour to get this. Yes, there is a line. Worth waiting for!! Woo Hooo
(5)Kathryn S.
Favorite Korean in the Chicago! I'm Korean (don't speak, but know what to order:) ) and ChaDol Gui with the kimchee fried rice and Yuk Gae Jang soup are my favorite.
(5)Abrar A.
We arrived around 7:10pm and there was a line out the door that extended inside. The people in front of us told us it was worth the wait and it usually isn't bad before 5pm. We were seated around 8:15 and started eating around 8:30pm. There was a sign at the door that said B.Y. O. B so some people brought their beer with them and started drinking in the line It was the longest wait ever and part of it in the cold but we loved the food! I don't regret it, I'm so glad I had my jacket with me.
(5)Jose C.
Eh.... I love nearly all kinds of Asian food, Thai, Korean, Chinese, etc etc, but this place simply left me feeling very underwhelmed. I came here with a group from work. The group consisted of a Korean man who is a regular here, along with four interns from Korea, and a couple other people. We were cramped in the middle of the tiny restaurant at two tables pushed together. Since the wait staff didn't understand English (or maybe just pretended not to), the Korean man in our group ordered this big communal feast, which consisted of about 450 little white bowls of pickled vegetables, sauces, noodles, squid, and all kinds of stuff. Everything was super duper salty and left me dehydrated, which was a problem in itself since the waitress initially only filled our glasses halfway (???) and never came back to refill until we were almost done. So here I am, my plate before me, surrounded by fifty thousand little bowls of stuff. It felt like a game of food Jenga, or Operation- one wrong move and the bowls start falling off the table. Then the waitress begins cooking thinly-sliced beef on our table, which was kind of cool, except that she kept hovering over me to flip the beef strips. She wouldn't "cycle" around and choose someone else to hover over, she just hated me I guess. So here I am, totally immobile out of fear of knocking something over or getting in the way of the meat-flipping lady, with a bad taste of salty something in my mouth and with an immediate need of some damn water. When the beef was done cooking, it was all I could stomach, but even that stuff was ugh. It's like, you either eat it like you're supposed to (dipped in one of 100 salty sauces) or eat it plain, in which case it is totally bland and akin to eating a Ziploc baggie. At the end, the waitress took all the food we didn't eat, and mixed it in the skillet with about 5 pounds of white rice and made the most disgusting concoction of fried rice I have ever tried (notice I said "tried", not eaten). More saltiness, not much flavor. Just salty and burned. I give this place 2 stars because it may be unfair for me to judge a place like this so harshly. It just is not for me. I have eaten Korean food before that wasn't like this, but maybe this place is more authentic?? I don't know, whatever. I don't want to come here again though.
(2)Diana C.
Wear washable clothes. Your clothes and hair will smell of cooked meat, but what's an extra load of laundry and another shower compared to good Korean food? Also, the prices are the lowest I've paid for Korean food, taking volume and taste into account.
(4)Jonathan P.
I definitely miss this place. It was cramped and busy on weekends but always had pretty good food and a good time with friends. Chadolbaegee was especially good here. Gotta love the fried rice at the end.
(4)Lou W.
This place smells unbelievable. I walk past it and want to lay on the sidewalk outside the restaurant and close my eyes and fall asleep. I've eaten here twice. Both times it's been not exactly what I was expecting. The first time, I ordered a Chapchae (which I have had before at other Korean restaurants) and frankly, it wasn't that good. The second time, we practically had to beg the waitress to pay attention to us. The food was better, but we couldn't get water! Regardless, it's kind of a fun, loud place, good for a medium-sized group -- an interesting experience if nothing else.
(3)Steve L.
Come here for the meat only. So.... Cho Sun Ok is one of those Korean places that Korean people like to go to. The meat is quite tasty and they specialize in their stone pot BBQ style where near the end of the meal all the left over kimchi side dishes are throw in with rice and a ghetto fried rice is made. That fried rice is quite terrible, but like I said come here only for the meat. The Cha-Dal-Bae-Gi is the way to go....DO IT. The spicy pork is really good too. The appetizer dumplings are obviously frozen but passable. Panjan (which is like a seafood pancake) is pretty good, my roommate who never had it before loved it. Some cons about the restaurant...parking can be a little bit of a pain, but who's going to really check if your car is parked at Jewel half a block up the street? The line is intimidating especially in the dead of winter. Korean restaurants are not know for their service, it is the same for this restaurant, so don't expect much.
(4)Brian P.
I eat here frequently and it's exceptionally good every time. I also tend to be one of the only non-Koreans in the restaurant. I take that as a sign of its authenticity. Please don't eat here as the line is already too long. Seriously, I've never been here after 7:30pm when the line isn't out the door, even in the dead of winter.
(5)Po W.
The food was ok but the service was terrible!! I usually don't care about the service if the food is awesome, but this is just crap!! we ordered and was only given a limited amount of the small dishes (kimchis) and when looked around at other tables with korean patrons it seems like they had unlimited refills on all of the small dishes. we had to ask for them, and half of the time we did not receive them. That's B.S.! The ladies were pushy and defiantly not hospitable.... so if ur not korean and can't speak korean i would suggest that you don't go!!! p.s. it was horrible so i didn't tip and the pushy lady asked me "where was the tip" she was more worried about the tip then taking care of us and refilling our water!!! what a joke!
(1)Soyol-erdene U.
Have no idea about the food because they wouldn't serve us. We got there at 9:40 and the lady forced us to order right away before we even sit down. She said "Everybody leave at 10:30". She was very rude!
(1)Se Won P.
We got two orders of chadol (thin slices of beef). The food was actually pretty decent, which might explain why this place is popular and has a line on weekends. The reason for my one star is purely due to service. Its that bad. As soon as we got seated, we ordered what we wanted since we wanted to be considerate and eat fast so that they could serve other customers waiting in line. What we got in return was the server lady coming to our table, tossing half the meat on the grill and hurrying us to eat quickly. Most of the meat ended up being burnt due to our inability to eat at the pace that was being forced upon us. When i asked our server to slow down, she frowned at us, came back not even thirty seconds later and tossed the remainder on the grill. Terrible experience.
(1)Tony F.
This is a great run of the mill Korean BBQ joint in the Chicago north area. Much of their menu is the same as any other place frequented. The best part is byob! Bonus!
(4)Ivy Z.
Don't come here for service. I also don't think that this place is a good one for first-timers unless you are outnumbered in your party by people who are old hats at Korean BBQing. Furthermore, the seating order here is very weird. If you're Korean or obviously white, you will definitely be seated first. Others, nope. I came here with my friends and a Korean American who can speak haltingly okay Korean. The ladies were not impressed with us. Lol~ I felt that the side dishes were very good, but also not enough. There was sufficient meat for each meat order. I liked the fried rice at the end. This is definitely a place where they would prefer you to order all in one go, so don't do what we did and order another dish at the end. Would I come back? Maybe.... It was a good experience.
(3)Sarah Y.
KBBQ and Chosunok are synonymous, which is why this place is always packed. All things aside, the KBBQ meat is good, and I've only ever gotten the thin beef slices. But I've had thinner, tastier, and better elsewhere, including at Gogi. But it's cheaper in comparison, so we find ourselves here frequently. Come dine before 6 pm to stand a chance of being seated without a long wait.
(4)Susan C.
I went here my first time with a bunch of people and the food was good that we order. I always love the little side dishes they have. The waitress is not that good in English because she didn't understand we wanted separate checks. It's good to have cash to pay for your meal since it's a bunch of people. Overall the service was good. I would definitely go back when I get a chance.
(3)Angie M.
I'm no stranger to KBBQ. This is a different kind of jam. If you're expecting to cook your meat on a grill top, prepare to be disappointed. You get your meat and a big pan that's placed on a stovetop on the tables. The servers dump it all in at once. Since it's a pretty good amount of meat, it kind of steams instead of crisps, which sucks. Also, we only cooked our beef on the table. The pork came already prepared. Isn't part of the fun of KBBQ cooking the meat yourself??? Service is insanely horrible for white people. I'm sorry if that's off-color, but the tradition of KBBQ providing shitty service for non-Koreans seems to hold true at Cho Sun OK. The restaurant is really small, too, and doesn't take reservations. So enter at your own risk. Most of the tables also have bar stool chairs, which can be uncomfortable for a long meal. Would I go back? Yeah, sure. If I was in the area. But I really like open grills rather than the stovetop pan.
(3)Glenn O.
The food is fine, but I have never been so neglected in my life. My son and I went in early, hoping to beat the crowd that usually forms outside since it's so small in there. Waited literally 20 minutes before anyone gave us a menu and another 10 before we ordered. Meanwhile, the table next to us that came in after us was already eating their cooked food. Cho Sun Ok can kiss my ass. Horrible, horrible service, and the server couldn't have cared less apparently, not that she could converse in English. I won't be back.
(2)Rafael S.
order the house specialty and you wont go wrong, the unamarinated beef slices chadolbeggi. There can be a wait, its a small restaurant. The waitresses are fine they dont talk much but you can communicate your basic needs. its byob, free parking. come with friends, you'll be pretty full afterwards.
(4)Josh E.
It's back in business. I just called there and they're open. I don't care that they were closed down; I'm going back!
(4)Ji Hye K.
This place totally is satisfying every time I go. Meat eaters must order cha-dol-bae-gi. Thin slices of meat, grilled right in front of you - dip it in sesame oil sauce or eat it rolled up in a piece of lettuce. After the meat's done, a hearty looking waitress will hustle over to your table and will make fried rice right in front of your face! So so delicious, you can't stop eating. I've stuffed myself silly at Cho Sun Ok many many times... Other menu items are quite good too. I've had the noodles in cold broth (neng-myun) before and it blew my mind how tasty and authentic it was. Ban-chan, by far, is the best among all the Korean restaurants in the city. The only downside is the wait. This place overflows with folks constantly. I once waited outside in the rain for an hour before getting a table. But it was so worth it. Oh, when you go, look for what looks like cabinet doors stuck on the walls as decoration. Not sure if they still got that but they made interesting, somewhat hilarious, interior decoration.
(5)Apollette S.
Love this place. The menu is small but well-rounded. Their soon du bu chigae is perfect --- the broth is so spicy and flavorful and clean-tasting (my mom pointed out that it's because it had no msg...I have no idea how to tell but I trusted her judgment as a cooker of awesome Korean food) and the tofu is a perfect consistency. They use large, full shrimps instead of the pinky nail-sized micro shrimps some places use. Their denjang chigae is the epitome of comfort food for me and Cho Sun Ok's is the one I crave when I have a cold. I love their mackerel -- perfectly grilled and juicy . Love the banchan, particularly the very fresh kimchi, and the soybean sprouts and potato-apple-mayo salad thingy. Just wish this place weren't so crowded.
(5)Patrick C.
as a non korean who loves korean food and grew up in a korean neighborhood I think I can speak with authority on this place. I'm a fan and by the line of people greeting me on the way in an out I think other people are fans as well. I will check this place out again, I only wish they had kalbi on the menu. Be prepared to wait for a table and don't except friendly service ( duh have you ever been to a korean restaurant? ) I will be back.
(4)Cristin M.
Cho Sun Ok is still my favorite Korean BBQ. Besides wearing clothes that you don't care about smelling up, I suggest going at lunchtime. Not nearly as busy as the dinner rush, and the service seemed a bit friendlier too.
(4)D S.
My wife and I arrived early so we would avoid the lines. The staff seated us right away but we had to call them to our table to place the order. The waitress was busy watching the television and barely acknowledged us. My wife's meal arrived in good time, however, my meal did not. Normally it's not a big deal to have our meals served at different times but my wife finished her meal and mine still had not arrived. Two times we asked the waitress to assist and they seemed to ignore us. We believed the waitress did not place the order. We work in the neighborhood and this is the third time we've had bad service. The food might be good but the service is horrible.
(1)Alli L.
I feel like I should chime in here about the service comments I've been reading: I actually think that the ruder the wait-staff are, the better and more authentic the food. Unless you speak Korean and can completely charm them with your encyclopedic knowledge of Korean food, I just don't think you should expect them to pull out the welcome mat. If you want whispered service and attentive waiters that glide by you, fulfilling your every need before you even want it, go fork out that cash for Tru or Les Nomades. My (Asian) friend and I came here to eat dinner a few nights ago (it was a weeknight and late, so it wasn't busy) and we were greeted with disbelief and then disappointment as it turned out that, despite our countenance, we couldn't speak a word, no, not even a bit, of Korean. We immediately got gruff broken English and impatient stares. I kind of find this funny and not at all annoying or off-putting. It's just the nature of this type of establishment. Roll with it, people. I came here not expecting much, since, well... this is Chicago. Happily Cho Sun Ok surpassed my expectations. We ordered the bulgogi and octopus for two - a mistake because I like the beef within a hair-breadth of cooked, and I like my octupus fully cooked. However, I thought their octopus was very fresh. Their panchan is pretty good, too. I can't wait to come back and try their notables (sadly I researched Yelp only after I went!) One star off because their stuff was so flavorful that it was sooo salty that I drank my weight in water. And they didn't refill quickly enough, ever.
(4)Michelle J.
I wouldn't give this restaurant any star if I could. We went to this place with high expectation, but it totally disappointed us. First of all, they treated you like sh*t! I never heard a "hello" or saw any emotion from the waitresses. They just wanted you to finish your meal ASAP so other customers could come in. The waitress poured all the beef on the grill even we told her we could do it ourselves. Second, their food aren't bad but not good either. The jaechap noodle and #5 beef (I forgot the name) were very salty. Third, the price is not cheap.I have gone to the one on western. Their service is so much nicer and the food were 1/3 cheaper than cho sun ok.
(1)Stacie K.
Korean or not-you'll get the same service here. Take it or leave it (like it or not), simply put. People may get seated ahead of you because they know the owner, or maybe they called ahead of time. You may have to get up and get your own water, or get the attention of a waitress by yelling across the restaurant, but that's pretty standard for all Korean restaurants. My dad is a good friend of the owner--so obviously I can't say anything really bad about it! But I will have to say that I was expecting a dirty, dark restaurant from, what apparently is, mixed reviews. But it was clean, well-lit, and I saw NO cockroaches or anything that even resembled one. Nothing in the restaurant even made me think there might be a cockroach in the place. Food was good, service was as expected, overall a good experience.
(4)Jay A.
This place is kind of advanced korean place and more authentic. You will enjoy do-it-yourself meal on hot plate :-) I really like Bulkoki which is korean BBQ (not sure though) and there are many things to try ..... cold noodle is also good but I don't remember the name of it since my korean friend ordered it for us in korean language (of course.)
(4)D K.
Terrible service and if you're looking for good korean food, this place is not the place to go to. As a Korean-American, I am really disturbed that places like this are around; they give Asians a bad name. Why put up with bad service? Why accept people who act like jerks? If you want good service, a friendly customer first atmosphere, along with good food, this place the complete opposite of where you should go. ONE STAR.
(1)Karen N.
Hole in the wall. I went in for take out, ordered Soon du bo(tofu stew), sat at the bar, watched Korean TV with the owner. We didn't speak(I don't know Korean), but I was happy to hang. Took the Soon du bu into the car and ate the whole thing before I went home. The soup was the best that I have had ever. Loads of soft tofu, the soup base is spicy and tasty. I started sweating from the moment I started eating. It also came with a side of kimchi, two sides of banchan and a side of rice. $8 later and you have the best Korean home cooked meal.
(3)Claudette B.
Cute place, nice location. Food good, but not a top notch K bbq experience. The un marinated beef and octo was good and so were the sides - solid, but not stellar for the price.
(3)Peter W.
Good food, very casual atmosphere a bit tight on accomodations Street parking is spartan, but not difficult I've averaged about a 15 minute wait for a table
(4)kelly a.
Love this local BYOB spot. They have tables with woks built into them so they can serve dishes that cook in front of you. The ladies who work there can be a bit pushy, but just kick back and enjoy the bibimbap (the hot plate is much better than the cold).
(3)Justin L.
Let me start by saying my mom makes the best Korean food so really no Korean restaurant will ever ever get a 5 star from me except my momma home cooking. That said this is probably one of the better spots in Chicago. The place is uniquely positioned by location to service both the yuppies as well as lincoln square folks. It stands alone and apart from other Korean restaurants in the city because there are actually non Koreans that dine there often. So while I cannot ever give any Korean establishment a 5 star, this would be deserving of a 4 star if it were not for the simple fact that it is so damn small. There is room for about 30 people? If you are clostrophobic (sp?) do not go. The small space also forces people to stand around the door and wait. If it is cold outside as it often is in Chicago people are always letting a cold draft into the dining area. There is also the annoyance of having people hover over your shoulder while eating if sitting within 5 ft of the doorway. But the service is better than most other Korean restaurants. It is slightly pricier that other Korean restaurants as well. I would not recommend for a date since, it is not the place where you will feel intimate nor have the luxury to eat slowly and talk. This is for a quick hit of Korean in your belly and you are out the door. If you get tried of the Chadolbaegui grilling then go for the soups. I always get the yukgaejung. What we need in Chicago is duk bo sam.
(3)Jenny T.
Okay, so here's the deal: This place has awesome korean food. But the service sort of sucks. It's small and cramped, but there is always a line out the door during rush hour b/c people put up with it b/c the food is so damn good. They do a lot of cooking on those portable grills planted on your tabletop, so expect to smell like korean bbq afterwards. Don't wear anything too nice. They serve lots of small dishes w/ every order, and if you order one of the first two meat options, they combine it all and make this awesome korean "fried rice" thats convenient for a hangover meal the next day.
(4)Mark J.
I've been to "Cho Sun Ok" about 5 times and it satisfies my craving for some good Korean "bbq". Sometimes I think only Koreans can put up with the intricacies of this place ... but it's always a good sign to see Koreans packing this place up and waiting in line out the door to eat here. First off, you'll have to know a bit about most korean places. Most korean places look like crap .. inside and out .. and I think Koreans aren't much for aesthetics. If you want your traffic signs on the wall, old b&w pictures, catchy pop music, sports memorabilia, vintage do-dads, etc. go to fridays/applebees/potbellies/etc etc etc. That being said, I think this place is pretty decent looking compared to most korean joints. Also, what you won't get at most Korean restaurants is friendly service. This place is no exception ... there's no time to be friendly here. They're understaffed and it quickly becomes standing room only(and out the door) during popular hours. It's almost comedy watching the waitresses hustle back and forth, table to table, trying to keep up with the grilling and orders. It's not like they're intentionally being rude or anything though, it's just insanely busy here and you're gonna get the basics .... no jokes or quips, no conversations, no smiles. (oh .. and everyone gets the same treatment here, korean or otherwise ... unless you personally know the owner or slip a Benjamin to him during a handshake you're just like everyone else.) Tip #1: ask the owner (older korean guy standing around the bar) for the check when you're done, instead of wating for the waitresses to come by. Tip #2: Ask for plenty of water with your INITIAL order placement. So if you've made it this far you're in for a treat. I usually get the "cha dol bae gee", which are VERY thin slices of beef. They'll put the fresh meat out on your table and come by to cook it on the stone skillet on the table. Sometimes if the waitresses are busy (always?) you'll have to do some meat turning yourself so it doesn't get too burnt. You'll probably find yourself spreading the meat all around evenly on the skillet only to have the waitress come by and mess it all up to cook it "the right way" like some of the other reviewers have said. The meat is so good ... Like some of the other reviewers have said, avoid the lines and get there early ... and you might have dogs chasing you if they get a whiff of your clothes when you get out of there. Anyhow, the food here is really good and you'll be hard pressed to find a better Korean restaurant in Chicago. So relax a bit while you're here, don't expect to get treated like a king, and just enjoy the food and atmosphere .. because despite some of the gripes about the service you'll find that there's more personality here than most restaurants .... without the need for vintage memorabilia hanging off the wall.
(5)Michael O.
Probably would have given 5 stars if I knew what more of the menu items were. They have a unique offering of items, including some dinners for two that they cook at the table. My boyfriend and I got the marinated beef dinner for two and it was very good. I also got a spicy beef soup appetizer that was very good. They serve at least 8 small bowls of items to mix with your main dish, such as pickles, bean sprouts, rice cakes, potatoes, and more. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
(4)Caroline L.
Where to start... I adore cho sun ok. I am NOT korean, and i have no idea if the service would be better if i was. i've already resigned to the fact that their hospitality is... different from other places in chicago. whatever, the food is so effing good that it's definitely not worth complaining over the slightly pushy korean matron who doesn't smile.... ever. disclaimer... i don't know the proper terms for any of the food i've eaten there, so i'm going to wing it. i've never ordered off the a la carte menu- and i don't know anyone who has! you come for the korean bbq! the sides that accompany the meal are the best korean sides i've ever had. the kimchi is to die for! they are always willing to refill anything you need, but don't expect a smile. i've had the un-marinated beef (name? sorry?), the marinated beef, and the octopus. all three are great, but the thinly sliced un-marinated beef is THE BEST. they give you this amazing sesame dipping oil and it's such a delicious accompaniment. note about this sauce- ASK FOR IT. i only got it the first time i went with my korean friend. the other times i've returned they didn't offer until i asked. hmmmm. I think this is the only one on the menu that also comes with the fried rice at the end of the meal, which is awesome. i recommend to not eat all of the meat- if you keep a bunch of it in the pan, the fried rice is even more delicious. like everyone else says, yes, you will smell like bbq afterward and yes, it's super crowded. because it's crazy at nights, i always go on sunday afternoons (3pm-ish) and it's basically dead. the waitress gives you a lot more attention and you feel totally comfortable lounging at your table. the hard part is getting up the strength to stand up after your delicious meal!
(5)Barbara F.
Very good... Had never had real Korean BBQ before... the atmosphere was comfy and loud.... Get here early if you don't want to stand in line... it gets packed fast and they do not take reservations. Yummy food... we had a fried rice and a beef dish... sorry have no idea what it was called... they served a bunch of salad before our meal... they were very different, but tastey nonetheless. For authentic Korean cuisine I definitely recommend.
(4)Phil K.
I'll chime in and also say that the cha-dol-something-something is the thing to get here. The naeng-myun (cold noodles) are good too - but the best part is when the beef is finished, the lady comes by and throws all the leftover panchan, some rice, kimchee, and oil onto the hot stone and cooks up some fried rice. It gets pretty crowded, and the service is typical Korean dive. In short, don't expect any smiles or help. I get hooked up because I go with my parents (we're Korean) who have been long time diners here and the restaurant the waitresses used to work at on Lincoln... If you don't go with a Korean-speaker, just order, eat, pay, get out. Don't dilly-dally, and don't ask too many questions. Last time I was there, the (white) woman at the table next to ours kept asking the harried waitress about each panchan (whats this... .ok whats that... and this one).. The waitress sooo wasn't havin' it. Bitch just shut up and eat! Anyways, Cho Sun Ok is probably the best Korean in Chicago and cheap as hell too. Better than San Soo G-something which is mediocre at best. Though Chicago, unfortunately, isn't blessed with great Korean restaurants.
(4)Jessica K.
BEST Korean restaurant in Chicago. Trust me, this is coming from a Korean. Reason why this place rocks: 1. Best seafood pancake in Chicago. 2. At the end, you get Kimchi fried rice. No other place in Chicago does this. 3. Their meat actually TASTE good. Most Korean restaurants in Chicago, their meat taste good.. but they all taste the same. I mean come on, nobody dislikes Korean galbi.. 4. I like the service. Korean waitresses aren't known to be nice in general but here they treat you like they're your mom. They take care of you. They also don't cheat you here if your a foreigner which sometimes happens in other korean galbi joints (cough cough san soo gab san) 5. BYOB 6. Clean (recently remodeled) 7. Lots of FRESH side dishes 8. Great soon doo bi ji gae (Spicy tofu kimchi soup) 9. Great dol soo bi bim bop (Um, vegetable rice bowl thing in a hot stone bowl? Can't translate this one) 10. There is this stoic old grandpa (i think he's the owner) he is always standing behind the bar watching everything. I just find it cute. There is a wait which is the ONLY downside I could think of. It's a small place and it takes a while to eat all the food you get.The bigger the group the longer it takes. But really, it's all worth it. Ask any Korean in Chicago about this place and you'll never hear anything bad about their food.
(5)Christine H.
This was my first experience of Korean cuisine. If this is what an authentic Korean restaurant is like, I will gladly take an Americanized place. As other people have alluded to, the waitstaff is, well, racist, to be quite frank. Maybe that's ok with you and you'll tolerate being treated like an inferior if the food is good and cheap. Well, I lived in the south for 2 years and did not experience such blatant disrespect. The beauty of living in the 21st century is I don't have to patronize a racist establishment. I have choices. Our group of 5 came before a Korean couple, and although the Korean couple tried to advocate for us, the waitress sat them first. We waited probably 20 minutes before anyone even talked to us (the place was crowded, but still, not even going ask us how many, or say how long the wait is?) Now, let's discuss the menu. As a Vegan, my choices were greatly limited (disappointing, as Asian restaurants usually have a lot for me). I told Ms. Waitress that I wanted the fermented bean paste stew (that was one of two things on the menu that did not list meat or seafood). She basically said that non-Koreans don't like it, and I shouldn't get it. Um, again, I'm Vegan. I eat bean stuff all the time. I was willing to try it. I told her that I don't eat meat or seafood and I wanted it. Despite my insistence, she told me to get some other stew, but without the meat and seafood. It was a little spicy, which was fine, but made me think "Did she assume I wanted spicy because I had brown skin?" Anyway, what she and the menu failed to mention was that this stuff had eggs in it. WTF? When she came back around, I told her I didn't eat eggs. She said, "You said no meat or seafood, not eggs." I told her that I didn't know it had eggs. She didn't take it back. So I essentially paid $16 for rice and veggies (we split the bill 5 ways). I mean, all the little veggie bowls they left on the table were good but man, $16? Not worth it. The sucky thing about being Vegan is that you can't always do "authentic" restaurants. Such was sadly the case here. But if you're a Vegan and do go, be forewarned, say you don't want eggs either (they sneak it in a lot of stuff).
(2)Amourena T.
Ok, I have been eating korean food for over 12 years. I am non-korean, however I can speak the language and am very familiar with the culture. I live in the neighborhood and was craving some kimchi chigae. I am normally a san soo gap san patron, but wasn't feeling the commute. I walked in and overheard one of the staff scream out "americans" when we walked in. They hurried our order and gave us half full glasses of water. Everyone else (korean) were getting the tea water that I enjoy. I was never even offered and was already annoyed. Our dishes came out (bulgoki was overcooked). I asked for water twice and finally had a waitress come by to replenish my glass. Some of the korean patrons were even staring at us and talking about us as they sat 3 feet away from us. As if korean isn't an easy learnable language for americans? If yu don't have a korean friend to come with you, do not go. You will be stared at, talked about, and underserved. These people are extremely rude and unappreciative of your business. I was never even thanked for coming and was very disappointed in thier service. If you do not want americans as patrons in your business, do not open a restaurant in Lincoln Square. You don't see me opening a burger joint in Seoul do you?? I'll go to San Soo Gap San for now on.
(1)Diana S.
You come here dressed as if you are going to workout, except the only thing you are working out is your mouth and tummy. Why wear crappy gear that has elastic? You WILL leave stinking of Korean food and you will be happily stuffed and feeling pleasantly plump. It's best to come with a group of 4-6 for maximum variety. We always start with the seafood pancake. mMmMMM... Then I like a pile of the bulgogi that is not marinated. meeeeeaaat. Don't forget you get a ton of banchan(side dishes) that come with the meal. Then at the end they make this tasty kimchee fried rice. Oh yummy!
(4)J H.
Okay. This is the oldest Korean restaurant in Chicago for a reason: food. The atmosphere, service, location, parking can improve big time. However, I come here for the best nangmyun and cha dol bae gi. The reason why I give this place 5 stars is simple. It cannot be beat in the quality of the food. This is the best Korean restaurant in Chicago, hands down. If the food is okay, I would never come here because other factors suck. The service is horrible unless you speak Korean and wait sucks. However, if you notice that when Koreans wait in line for a table, you know that this place is authentic and good. I would not recommend this place to introduce Korean food to non Koreans as it requires a deep understanding and appreciation for authentic Korean cuisine to take it all in. Heck! I'm still developing my palate for the nyangmyun.
(5)Grace K.
I think this is the best Korean BBQ place in Chicago. It's not only very authentic but the food is just top notch. During peak hours it can be hard to get a table, sometimes the wait can be around 30 minutes long. But once you get a table it's a great experience. First of all when you walk in it feels like you're in Seoul, lots of tables that are close together in a small place, creating a very intimate atmosphere. The food is served as it should be with lots of little side dishes called Ban-chan. You can get a meat dish to share for I think $22 but don't let them push more food on you than you can eat, those dishes that are supposedly for 2 people can easily feed 3 or sometimes 4. First the meat comes out and gets grilled and you eat it with rice, side dishes and lettuce(?) leaves and then after that it seems to make a whole 'nother meal when they stir fry the rice for you in the left over meat sauce with spicey flavoring and vegetables. If you don't know how to prepare these yourselves, like cooking the meat and stir frying, just look dumb and ask them about it and they'll do it for you.
(5)Donna J.
my parents have been going here for over 25 years, and they finally started brining us a few years ago. not sure what took them so long....but of course, the best korean food in chicago. everytime we go there we order the same thing, the chudul baegi (which is the unmarinated beef) and neng myun (cold buckwheat noodle soup). the food is consistent everytime and the rice at the end is spectacular, especially the crusty part on the bottom. the ladies who work there bust their butts everyday to get to all the customers. the place is small, doesn't take reservations, but is completely worth it. even my grandparents who live in korea come here when they are in town. you cannot beat the price for what you get. i don't have a bad thing to say about the place except that your hair, clothes, and anything else you bring in there with you will stink of korean food when you walk out. actually, is that really a negative?
(5)Stephanie M.
Be prepared to wait...this place is pretty busy. There are tables and also booths at this restaurant, each with their own flat griddle bbq thing. It's different from the open pit ones I've seen elsewhere. Probably safer ^_^. Korean bbq here is really good. I recall the kalbi was good. You can cook yourself or have food cooked in the kitchen. The cold noodles are really good too. You will be really full after you eat here. Kinda weird thing was the TV's...watch sports while you grill your food.
(4)Karen L.
Although I am not a huge fan of Korean food, I have to say that this experience was a good one. This was my second time at this restaurant, but the first time I did not order the Korean BBQ. What makes the Korean BBQ experience so fun is that you can cook your food on a flat skillet on your table! I ordered the bugogi, which is marinated beef, I think. The beef was tender and flavorful and every meal comes standard with a bunch of little Korean appetizer dishes. One thing about this place is it is small and it gets crowded. So go on an off night or early for dinner. And it is hard to tell if the waitstaff can speak English, because they will just come over and cook your food "the right way" without saying a word. Plus, you won't forget this experience for days to come, since you walk out of there smelling like Korean BBQ! (Wear junky clothes and don't plan on going out on the town afterwards! :) )
(4)Nico B.
Got there about 5pm with no wait and plenty of spots. They gave us about 8 free appetizers and the waitress was *mostly* helpful at picking out entrees. We got a beef dish, a noodle dish, and a tofu/seafood soup thing. The latter was super disappointing, but the other two dishes were pretty scrumptious. Water was a plenty, which is a pretty big requirement for me. By the time we left the place was packed and there were about 4 parties waiting to be seated. All in all, I would definitely come again, but this time I will get the table top grill. That looked delicious!
(4)stu y.
Pretty disappointing. I've never had bad Korean food until now. The unfriendly service is not worth it. The broth tasted like dishwater and the beef was floppy and bland. And how in the world do you screw up boiled dumplings???? Seriously. It was like an ace bandage filled with water from Lake Michigan. My friend's ribs were half decent but I wouldn't waste your time here.
(2)Alice K.
Cha dol gui is simply the best meal you can get for the price you pay! All Korean restaurants give you banchan - which are small side dishes for garnish and appetizers. The meal will also come with fried rice at the end of the BBQ. It is mixed with all the banchan and plus kimchi stock. I wish that I took my parent's here when they came to visit. The other dishes were delicious but I've had better in NY. I do love mul nang mun - buckwheat noodle with cold beef stock, pickled radish and cucumbers. It is refreshing with the korean BBQ.
(4)Hyung S.
Honestly, you don't go to an ethnic restaurant in Chicago if you are looking for good service. So, saying that, I weighed the service a bit lower than I would have otherwise. Service is not so attentive and somewhat variable. Some of the waitstaff don't seem too patient with people who don't speak Korean or know the menu. The barbecue is pretty good. But it's the other food that really elevates the place. Great soups, anju (drinking food), and banchan. The real star is the kimchi, which is yummy. BYOB, which I recommend, as it adds to the experience.
(4)Noelle l.
Food is fantastic - service rude and discriminatory. I was in the restaurant waiting to be acknowledged with my 2 year old hungry son. An asian couple walked in behind us, signaled to the staff who sat them immediately without even acknowledging me. I wish that there were another delicious Korean BBQ place nearby that I could go to but in spite of the horrible service, I'll go back bc the food is just so good. I hate it when that happens!
(3)Fuzzysaurus L.
5 stars (woohoo! as good as it gets!) mainly because i have to journey from Cinci for some quality korean food and i think my benchmark is quite low. definitely get the cha dol bae gi because that's not something you can get in every korean restaurant. delish. wide variety of pan chan too including the soupy kimchi that could be considered 'refreshing'. everything is just so tasty here that it's hard not to order what seems like more than enough food. somehow we're always able to finish everything (literally) everything though! mmm, can't wait to go again.
(5)James C.
This restaurant is proof that if your food is good, people will come no matter what. With that said, I believe this place has the worst service imaginable for a restaurant that is as popular as it is. Why is there no line system at this restaurant? Isn't this 2008? Must all Korean restaurants be completely oblivious to the fact that Americans demand good service? I only go there for the thinly sliced meat and it's awesome. An order for 2 is extremely affordable and their food is authentic (I'm Korean). I've tried other things there and it's all very good. This place can easily be 5 stars and I think I could've given it at least 4 stars but that's only if you can overlook the very thing that almost every Korean restaurant do... lack of good service and their ability to speak english. I hate how I don't know if they're gonna seat me or not and who's ahead of me and etc. I don't recommend going there when it's busy... it just gets too crazy. Also, if you're planning to try this place for the first time, read below. 1. make sure you know your place in line. Otherwise, there is a chance that you will be cut by random Koreans that bully their way in. 2. If you get the Cha Dor beef (order for 2), make sure you're continuously cooking if the waitress isn't doing it for you. If you don't throw more meat on there, the stone pan will start burning and you'll have a face full of smoke. 3. Finish cooking ALL of your meat. If you somehow get full and feel the need to not cook all of it, wave a server down and tell them you're done... otherwise they will just leave you there and never come back. Cooking all your meat is a sign for them to finish you off by making fried rice in the very same stone pan you were cooking your meat in. 4. Don't get mad if the wait staff seems to be annoyed. It's not that they don't like you... it's cause they're stressed out.
(3)J. E. N.
love the side dishes they give - and generous portions they always have a variety of them too i always get the cha dol bae ki, which are thinly sliced beef- theirs are the best - the meat is always tender and juicy and the mul nae muen is is a cool delight- highly recommend after having all that meat. you have to request the fried rice they cook at the end with leftovers- even tho I am stuffed, I always eat the fried rice the wait is usually pretty long and there is a limited amount of parking, but worth it. also, you can't beat the price ~!
(5)Donielle A.
This place is awesome! Great food, great experience, great waitstaff...what are you waiting for?!?!?!
(5)Jennifer K.
I like Cho Sun Ok much more than San Soo Gap San. Why? Well...there's plenty of reasons. The food is more delicious, service is better, and the price is cheaper. How can I not help but prefer this restaurant over any other Korean restaurants? Yes, yes. This can't hold a candle to Korean restaurants out in LA, but it holds its own. The stone griddle are perfect for grilling different cuts of meat. But my fave is def cha deul bae gi! It's sort of oily, but the thin strips are so delicious when wrapped around green onions, garlic, radishes, etc. The ban chan is plentiful and varied. After most of the meat has been grilled, the server comes over and adds ban chan, kimchi, etc. to the grill and covers it up with rice. It's sort of like a stir-fry finale. It's a great way to end the meal! But spicy buckwheat noodles are great too; def try the neung-myun! The price is awesome at around $10-16 per person, depending on how many people are in your party. So it's an affordable dinner with SO MUCH food! Granted, you end up smelling like your meal, so like Karen L. says, wear comfy clothes. This is def not a restaurant where you wear designer labels! ^^
(3)Anne Marie J.
I think they do a good job of making a normally intimidating experience welcoming for non-Koreans. It's lively and bustling. It's not the best Korean food but it's decent and flavorful. It's nice that they make the kimchi bokumbap as the finishing dish.
(3)Tiffany K.
i am practically a regular. cheap meals, the meat is delicious. i also like their sseol long tang. Some people say that the service is terrible, but I say definitely go with at least one Korean person to make sure that there is no chance of confusion or anything when ordering. Also, it's a really small space and one time I went, it was late February and there was a looooong line outside in the cold! Get there early, and be prepared to get full.
(5)ed d.
By far, best Korean food in the city. Staff wont help you that much so go with someone that knows. I am available. Email me and we can work something out.
(4)Ryan H.
great korean food, i also recommended some friends to go there and they all loved it~ i'll go back to try the korean cold noodle someday~
(4)Nancy C.
Cha-dol-bae-gi is the best meat dish. I agree that the service is not the best. Waitresses are not friendly nor talkative, unless you're a friend or Korean. Part of it has to do with language barriers... and part of it is because they are always rushed (lots of people waiting in line).. It's really good food though! One of the best Korean restaurants in Chicago.
(4)Jean C.
Best Korean food in Chicago! I will find any reason to come here. The food is amazing. Get #6. Thin sliced beef you cook on a stone pan. The best is the Korean fried rice they make in the same pan after the meat is done. Satisfying and delicious. And also my comfort food! Go early otherwise you will wait. Normally the line is out the door if you go during popular dinner times. It's definitely worth the wait! My one complaint is that I wish the restaurant was bigger. Just so then I don't have to wait to get a table. :-)
(5)Gfiddy F.
Delicious.
(5)andy b.
cho sun OK ...is ....OK..... and thats it !! i mean the food is good, yes very good but the service and the wait are not so good. And there is always someone looking at you while u are eating , and it is smelly and you need to wash your cloth when u get home.
(3)Jeanette R.
Best Korean food I've ever had! Everything I've had has been GREAT! Try any of the dishes you can cook at the table! My Daughter loves it and it's yummy! FYI- get there early in the evening...long wait!
(5)Jacob R.
So, what's not to like? 1. You'll get treated like shit.
(4)Hauwei L.
Authentic, tasty, Korean food, BBQ as well as stews and other dishes. Sometimes a long wait thanks to recent exposure to mainstream audiences via Check Please or other media.
(5)V C.
Great korean bbq place. It's a tiny space but cosy and comfortable with all-wood decor. I went w koreans so I didn't have to interact with the staff but they seemed more comfy with korean than english. Overall, very good.
(4)Steven K.
This restaurant is one fo the better Korean BBQ houses in Chicago. The food is great and the staff does their best to take care of you. The only downfall is the size of the dining room. It is very small and the wait to get a table is usually a bit long. This is ideal for a small group of 4 or less, but if you have a larger group than that, be prepared to wait a long time for a table. The wait is well worth it though...
(4)Dilip J.
the food is really good, and I thought the staff was pretty helpful.
(4)jenn m.
I'm no Korean food connoisseur, but of the few Korean restaurants ive frequented, this one has been a consistent favorite. It seems to always be busy and its definitely authentic. The menu has a multitude of Korean dishes, but we normally get chadolbaegi or bulgogi - both of which come with many little side dishes of goodies to eat with the meat. Their pot stickers and kimchi are also delicious - its all extremely filling! Wash it all down with a Coke and youre good to go! They leave you gum with the check, which doesnt even begin to cover up the garlicy-onion/meat stench that lingers in your mouth and on your clothing for the rest of the night. But... its totally worth it.
(4)Joseph D.
Cho Sun Ok is a wonderful restaurant. Went in on a Saturday around 6pm, it was completely packed yet maintained a calm atmosphere. The servers were extremely helpful (although our servers didn't speak English so it helped that my friend is fluent in Korean). We started with a seafood pancake (haemul pajeon) that was delicious and came out very soon after we arrived. Banchan (side dishes, pickles, etc) followed, and every one was great; the array quite plentiful. The baechu and kakdugi kimchis were great, although the winter kimchi really stood out as stellar. I had never had Korean potato salad and was quite impressed but this sweeter version of potato salad with apples. My friend got bi bim bap which she enjoyed and I had ujok tang, a stewed beef foot-and-tendon dish where the meat/cartilage was perfectly done: tender and smooth. The server was kind enough to cut the meat off the bones to make it more chopstick friendly. BYOB was a a plus as far as keeping this dinner very affordable. Each main dish (and the pajeon) could easily have served two people.
(4)Melinda C.
So good. Unfortunately, my Korean friend did all the ordering so I don't have a clue what we ended up getting. Everything was delicious, though, from the soup to the meat to the accompaniments to the rice they fried up at the end. It's a pretty small place so there may be a wait to get a table, but it's sooo delicious.
(4)Albert C.
A group of the boys came here to celebrate DY's birthday a few years back, during the med school era. It was dark, it was dingy, and we were really glad that DY spoke some Korean. But despite all that (or rather because of it all), we had a great meal. Obviously bulgogi and kalbi are the big players; they don't skimp on the panchan either. But like any other Korean BBQ place, be prepared to come home smelling of beef.
(4)Sean P.
Korean writing I don't understand...check. Korean workers I kind of understand...check. Food is awesome and the byob can't be beat. Grab some soju and a fresh plate of meat and grill it up until you can't fit that beef in you anymore. I like the old school mom and pop feel as well. Would be cooler if I understood Korean but it makes me feel like being in Seoul again.
(4)Alexandra S.
If seeking out some flavorful Korean, this place is a no-brainer. The bbq is fantastic as are the sides. I love the rest of the menu too, the cold braised noodles with beef and seafood pancake are very craveable. No decor or service to speak of, but who cares when you are feasting on such tasty vittles with friends. I'd stick with the traditional bbq followed by the fried rice. You'll be tasting it all night (in a good way). Try going before 7 or after 9, especially on weekends if you want to avoid a long wait.
(4)Tim V.
How can you not like seriously good fried rice prepared tableside? Don't bother to put your name in (nobody will take it); just get in the line that usually extends out the door. Tell them to bring you whatever they want...I promise you won't be disappointed. Although getting the beef short ribs is an excellent idea. Another excellent idea is going home for the night after this...or at least jump in the shower quick before going somewhere else.
(5)Sooyon H.
This is one of my favorite korean restaurants in the city. Parking is never an issue when I dine here. There may be some waiting time before being seated, but people move in and out a decent pace here. They are known for their chadulbaegee, which is a non-marinated thinly cut meat which is accompanied by thinly sliced green onions in a red pepper flakes and oil mixture and dipped in sesame seed oil for perfection! I absolutely love this dish, but unfortunately the last time I ate it here I broke into an all over body skin rash/hives. Since then, I have stayed away from ordering it there. I have always enjoyed their soon doo boo jee gae, a spicy tofu soup which has the right consistencies of spiciness. If you order the chaldeulbaegee, then they put together your left-over banchan (vegetable sidde dishes) with the kim chi (spicy, formented cabbage) to make a wonderful bokeumbap. Soooo good! I can't get enough of this restaurant!
(4)John C.
PLEASE READ IF NOT KOREAN or USED TO KOREAN CULTURE Holla at a Korean Brother!!! Okay, sorry...I'm not really into the whole Korean culture, I mean I was raised in Macomb County in Michigan! But I do know the food...why? Because I ate all the nastiness when I was growing up and my momma (uhmma) is one of the best Korean cooks hands down yo! Many say she should have opened up a Korean restaurant. So anyway, I would like to make comments on the comments of others concerning Korean restaurants. These are my opinions and my thoughts...so don't come yelling at me. I'm just trying to give some non-Koreans perspective. I'm like the "Dog Whisperer"...trying to make you understand these weird people called Koreans. My wife also isn't Korean, so she gives me perspective on my culture and asks questions about why Koreans are a certain way. So I've been forced to verbalize my answers. 1) Decor - Yes Korean restaurants aren't big on decor, but you also don't pay for it. My theory is that many Koreans come from humble beginnings, so what you see is like a F-ing palace compared to what these people probably grew up with. You know that same old story...I came from a poor country, with $30 in my pocket, worked my ass off for my family, and now I provide for them. So who cares if the restaurant isn't all that great looking. I don't know anything about the owners, but I can relate to my own parents. I mean they have a super nice house in nice area, but inside it isn't that great. They don't spend the time to make it is a nice as my wife's parents house on the inside. They just didn't figure it out, but compared to what they know, it is awesome. Weird. My dad had no money, we were poor for a long time, and he made a life for us. Okay, maybe I'm full of sh*t, but whatever...that's my theory... 2) Service - Remember that Koreans come from a very hierarchal society. Older above younger, male above female, etc. This is something my wife can not grasp. Why do I listen to my older brother even if it seems weird? Why do my younger cousins bow to me? Why is my mom the ultimate source of right/wrong? But then my dad can trump her? Well, again I'm generalizing, but remember that this is the way the old country was...it is less so now even with the gender. So, put yourself in these peoples shoes. They are used to bossing the younger around, telling people "lower" on the chain what to do...NOW they are taking "orders" from some younger person...sometimes that person doesn't understand the culture so it seems that they aren't respectful. For example...younger people should receive with two hands...a sign of respect. So you don't know this...you just expect this waitress to do things for you...we are a proud people. I'm not saying it is right/wrong, I'm just saying see it from their eyes. They may not like it, they may need the work whatever...try to joke with them, try to be respectful, you'll see a difference. So my buddy goes here ALL the time and his Korean is horrible, but he is respectful to these waitresses. They love him now. It is just DIFFERENT. 3) Food. Almost all Korean restaurants specialize on one type of food. I think the Galbi is just okay here...eat at Solga for Galbi. For Cha-dol Gui...eat here!!! It is the best. Non-marinated with all the trimmings. Close to restaurants in LA. You can order other dishes, the hot pots, etc. But you will probably find other places that are better. 4) Getting a Table. This is a challenge for all people, Korean or not. Knowing the owner definitely helps....sometimes. Some people probably called ahead or they know the owner. They also spend a lot more money there and are proven customers. I was pissed a few times, but my friend talked to the owner and he explained. 5) THE STANK!!!! Korean BBQ places stink...your clothes, hair...it's like smoking a cigar. Your whole body stinks. What is worse...if you eat the garlic...well let's say a vampire won't come close to you. Wear clothes that DO NOT NEED to be dry cleaned. My review. I love coming here. I don't have to go all the way to Lawrence, and I think all the food is okay. The Cha-dol Gui is great! I ranted and maybe I'm full of sh*t...whatever, just trying to give you perspective.
(4)Sean D.
The steak is pretty good, place is a bit dirty, have to walk through kitchen to get to the bathroom. They bring fewer salads and appetizers than other places. I don't get all the complaints about having to wait though, isn't it a good thing?
(3)Emma M.
Be prepared to wait a while for a table especially on a weekend night! This place is a small, cozy, neighborhood joint that you can smell from blocks away. The first time we went we ordered some dish (sorry, I don't remember what it was) and the waitress brought over a grill and a bunch of different garnishes in little dishes (like 12). We sat wondering what we should and whether we were supposed to start the grill. Eventually, the waitress came over turned it on for us and put the meat on. If this is not your first time then you know that you can just go ahead and do it yourself. After we finished she mixed all of our left overs with some rice and put it in a doggy bag. I think that's a great idea. Anyway, check it out.
(4)Roy A.
Pretty good place if you're in the mood for some Korean. I had the short ribs which were very tasty and each dish comes with about 9-10 little side dishes. I had no idea what most of them were but ate them anyways and they were pretty tasty for the most part with different flavors all converging on my mouth. Would go again to try some different dishes or maybe I can just go somewhere else and compare the two since I'm nowhere near an expert when it comes to Korean food.
(3)blogger n.
best cha dol in chicago. the place is tiny and its usually always busy. and the service is not great. but the food is amazing. order the "cha dol"
(5)Yoo Jin Y.
This location has so much potential, but has failed in every way. The only reason why it is still open is that the food is decent. People like korean bbq and the neighborhood has changed. Service - is the worst I have ever seen. People chalk it up to thats how a Korean restaurant is, but that should change!!! There is 1 waitress there that gives you so much attitude. Its either her way or keep getting more attitude. What ever happened to the customer is always right? Ask for water and time how long it takes you. Better yet ask for anything and see how long it takes. I am a Korean american and I will tell you that they treat people differently there. They try to rush certain people out, by coming over to your table and dumping 1/2 a plate of meat you paid for on the pan to get you to leave faster!!! Why our table and not the other one - we have been here the same amount of time? Seating - what is up with the seating?! Clean up the restaurant a bit and offer your customers comfortable place to eat. What is up with the bar? They have one... can you sit at it? They should offer the poeple waiting out the little door a drink or a place to sit. During the warmer season do you see them put patio chairs out for their customers to sit? Do they ask your name and put you on a wait list so you know who is next or do you sit in that line because your scared you will loose your place? I am complaining because I am sick of these Korean restaurants not knowing how to run a restaurant and treating people so badly. They need to learn that they are in the hospitality industry and that is what they should offer. Respect is earned - John C talks about the korean society and being respectful and the patriarchal society, but hell your paying them money for their food and you have to respect them in order to get service? I am all for respect your family, friends etc, but come on... This is a restaurant! Do you think that you would go back to any other place if you were treated in this fashion? Do I need go to a Sushi house with a Japanese person to get good service or do I need to take a 1/2 asian 1/2 french person to a fusion restaurant to get better service? That makes no sense on what these people are saying. I really do not recommend this place at all. This is no comparision to any bbq place in NYC or LA. They need to do better! They need to focus on the customer. Put out a patio chair - get a busser to bring water to the tables not have your customers dying of thirst and have to wait 20 mins for a refill. Have your wait staff smile at the customers and show that they are happy to see you as their guest. Offer some cleaner tables and better seating. JUST SOME BASICS OF RESTAURANT 101.
(1)Jill R.
Totally outstanding. I went in ready to not like it due to a bad experience 10 years ago at another restaurant. OMG! This was such damn good food. Flavorful, plentiful and delicious. We totally ordered way too much but I'm glad because we tried everything. Those "pancakes" - to die for! We got the unmarinated meat for 2 which fed 4. Unbelievable. We got delicious spicy buckwheat noodles with meat and veggies. Outstanding. The marinated pork - holy s*$t! The service is fast but no one speaks English so get ready to point. BYOB if you don't like watery Korean beer. Otherwise - I'll be back again and again.
(5)Michael B.
easily the best korean restaurant in the city. famed for being the oldest korean restaurant in chicago, it's easy to see why it has lasted so long. you go there for one dish...their cha duhl bae gi. i love their banchan...especially that watery stem kimchee thing that they give to each person...omg, it goes perfect with the meat. at most korean bbq places, people will order the kalbi/bulgogi and wrap it in lettuce with rice/kimchee/onions and put either pepper paste or soybean paste with it. when you order chaduhl bae gee in this place...they give you a plate of onions...and NO RICE! you just dip the meat into the sesame seed oil/salt dip thing, mash it up with onions and let it all melt in your mouth. SO GOOD. the quality of everything is awesome. if you eat at a normal time, prepare to wait. my friends and i have waited an hour and a half to sit...when you finally do get a seat, pray you don't get the one right next to the door...people will be standing over you while you eat and drool all over your shoulder. service...they have two waitresses running around like no other...no time to really smile/chat/kiss your ass. they do their job, get you in and out so the next people can sit. it's all about efficiency at this place...if you're expecting to be pampered, you'll be dissapointed. if you're looking to try the best korean restaurant in town, you're tastebuds will jump for joy. funny thing...you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the one bathroom they have. the guys back there are working their a$$es off to cut up fresh meat for everyone...it's ok to say hi. they'll smile back. oh, and back to the rice thing...afterwards, they take all the leftover banchan minus a few things and make it into fried rice on your table...when it's ready to eat, make sure you scoop the top layers off only and let the bottom keep frying till it burns on the stone pot...then, you get one person to SCRAPE off the stuff and everyone shares this crunchy rice...noo-roong-jee!
(5)Joao G.
Cho Sun Ok offers good, cheap, and fairly authentic Korean food in Chicago. I have been there twice and I can say that the bulgogi is VERY good, the bibimbop is good but not great and the side dishes are also good (especially the kimchi). I am definitely going back many times. The downside is that the ventilation is not that good and so it's impossible not to leave the place with a strong bulgogi smell in your clothes...
(4)Marissa D.
after we broke the hypothetical korean ice with jin ju, george and i were ready for a more authentic korean experience. based on yelp reviews, we came here. the atmosphere is fine...nothing great at all, but it's made better by the fact that the restaurant is bustling. the food was great. i devoured my bulgogi and george enjoyed his bi bim bap. we also really liked the fried pot stickers - they make great leftovers as well. i have to subtract a few stars for the service. like most other people said, it's not great, especially when you aren't with someone who is asian/korean. nonetheless, it was 30 dollars and that included a large hite beer that we split - not a bad deal - so i think we will probably end up eating here again if we don't want to spend the money at jin ju.
(3)Bella D.
Great cozy place for korean food! Its cozy so make sure your group is small - 4-6 : )
(5)joseph p.
All right gang this is a korean bbq place, to put simply! The shiiit is the "cha dol beg ghee"! Thin strips of unmarinted beef that you cook table side by yourself, which you then dip in a sesame oil, salt. pepper mixture. The beef comes with the standard "ban chan", korean side dishes, which includes red leaf lettuce and a spicy soy bean paste that you can make a lettuce wrap with the beef. As my Oakland girl friend says....Hella good! At the end of the meal, the waitresses dump a huge bowl of rice into the stone cooking plate, which is used to cook the meet, with other left over side dishes to make a yummy korean fried type rice. Yes, you non-koreans...there is the standard Kal-bi, the tasty marinated bbq short ribs that everyone loves. But unlike other bbq places the kal-bi is cooked by the owner in a oven in the front of the restaurant. There is Korean fare to taste, but me and the kids come for the beef! The restaurant is small and lines are not too uncommon! By the way kids get full size suckers, not the small dum dum pops you get at the bank, and on occasion, full size hershey bars with almonds. Get there early and get ready to be transformed to an F.O.B. korean for a brief moment while you are there. Btw. F.O.B stands for fresh off the boat. lol! Cheers!
(4)Nancy H.
It's a little tight in here, especially if you are seated at a table in the middle of the restaurant instead of at surrounding booths, and you'll oftentimes find that there isn't enough room on the table for all of your plates and dishes. Through recommendations of my friends, we ordered Cha dol Gui ($23 for 2), which is very thinly sliced mildly marinated meat that you (or the waitress) cook over a gas-powered stone slab. You are given garlic cloves, chopped onions, jalapeno peppers, and bean paste to cook with the meat, if so desired. There is also a sesame oil/salt/pepper "dip" for the meat and a variety of "panchan" (Korean side dishes of mostly pickled vegetables) and sliced green scallions to eat along with it. When you've eaten all the meat, the waitress will come by and throw all your leftover panchan and add white rice onto the slab and make fried rice out of it all. It was all very delicious! I haven't tried any other dishes here, but I keep coming back here for the meat! It looked like similar pricing for all other typical Korean dishes ($7-9). Lastly, street parking here isn't difficult. And it's BYOB!
(4)TeaAddict G.
A great place for Korean BBQ if you don't mind waiting in line and coming out smelling like beef for the next few hours. I have yet to go with a Korean-speaking friend which I am convinced will be a better experience. Sevice can be very slow, they could really use more wait staff. Don't expect your water glass to be filled instantly, or your checks being brought without your pestering the waitress. But, hey it's worth it for some tasty beef.
(4)Dee W.
FABULOUS Korean bbq!! We definately had to wait (here's a tip - go in a group of two or three people and you'll get served quicker) and go with someone (preferably Korean) that knows how to cook Korean BBQ. We had so much food leftover - we got fried dumplings (in such a huge helping that it made it worth every penny), soup (with thin slivers of beef), this marinated beef and all these yummy side appetizers for the bbq - the best part of the meat that we had ordered was how at the end - they brought out kimchi & rice and mixed it all together so we had a HUGE serving of fried rice at the end. We had so much leftover (and paid less than $40) that we both brought home leftovers to create a meal for our boyfriends (who opted not to go out with us).
(4)K S.
I walked by Cho Sun Ok yesterday and they are open once again for business. As much as I truly love this place (and I mean TRULY LOVE) I have to say I am a bit leery to go back anytime soon. I sure will miss their short ribs....
(1)Jessy Y.
I really like this place for its food. One of my favorite to go if I ever go out to eat. I am really fond of their BBQ (the one with meat that is not marinated). You eat this with lots of shredded green onion. The best part is it's fried rice at the end. So good. Love this place.. However, you definitely want to make sure you make reservation or be ready to wait. Normally the turn around is not too bad, since they are pretty good at serving and get you out.
(4)Angela T.
This place is probably one of my favorite Korean eateries in the city, and reasonably priced, too. The best dish to get here is called Cha-dol Gui, thinly sliced beef cooked on a stone grill. In addition, they will create a semi-spicy fried rice for you on the grill after you are done with the BBQ portion. It is a good amount of food, be prepared to loosen your belts. The restaurant is not that big, and it is crowded all the time. Try to avoid the weekends, and try to have an early dinner on the weekdays. Also, do not wear anything nice. By the end of the affair, your clothes will reek of nasty grease. That is the only negative part of the experience.
(4)Adey Z.
over all, I was disappointed with this place. first of all, I really didn't find anything special about this restaurant. the BBQ was only OK.. and the side dishes had no flavor. there are many other good Korean BBQ restaurants in Chicago land. Second of all, I waited 45 mins to get a table, then I got food posioned after eating there! I lived in the bathroom for 24hrs! at the end I had to go to the hospital...
(1)Ben L.
This place is fantastic. It is not a Korean BBQ place though, they specialize in cooking unmarinated beef over hot stone plates at the table. It's a little different than other places, but I think it's great. The other dishes are good too, but at least once try the unmarinated beef. I don't know about LA but it's definitely on par or better than most places in NYC, Oakland and Seattle. My general rule of thumb for Korean places is that if the service is friendly then the place must suck. This place has very efficient service -- not friendly, just efficient. Be prepared to wait on weekends -- it's great. Also very cheap.
(5)sandhya k.
As I sit at my desk at 7pm still with no end in sight as I work on a grant application, I am oh so happy that I have some soup from Cho Sun Ok to enjoy. My co-worker was snagging herself some lunch/dinner this afternoon and because I knew I'd be at work late I realized that having some dinner would be a good idea. I already finished off the kimchi with some of the rice a few hours ago, and just popped open the soup right now. I think I ended up with my co-workers beef soup instead of the kimchi chicken soup I ordered, but all is still good and tasty. The carryout experience is not as great as enjoying the food in the restaurant, but that is in no way because they didn't provide the same massive amount of things on the side for me to enjoy.
(4)Jenny C.
Being Korean and a little bit broke, it's always nice to find a place that serves good, authentic food at an affordable price. That's why I love this restaurant. My biggest complaint is how small it is. It gets pretty crowded at dinnertime. The wait is never too terrible (maybe around 20 mins?) but the restaurant is so small that there is really nowhere to wait. Also, it's awkward to get around the tables/chairs, especially when people are sitting in them. I'd say it's worth it though, for the food. I took my family here when they came to visit and they are still talking about how good the yook geh jang was. The service is ok. Sometimes they won't come by for a long time, which is strange especially when it's packed. You'd think they'd come by more often to try and get you to leave.
(4)David C.
No charcoal is a deal breaker for a Korean BBQ place, at least in my book. Yeah, they have the stone griddle, but stone does not add flavor. That said, the food is pretty decent.
(3)Toshi B.
Place is really crowded but I guess that happens for a reason. It is packed w/ Koreans which is a good sign and a dab of non-Koreans here and there. It is a little cozy restaurant run by this 50s+ old guy who never really says anything but oh well. The thing to get is the beef cooked on the table on a stone plate. When the meal is over, the waitress will place all the banchan into the stone plate and mix it in w/ rice. Just think of Korean spicy friend rice. I also have tried the galbi (short ribs) that was not cooked at the table and it was very, very good. I love this place but it is always packed so if you do not mind the wait, it is well worth it. The only drawback is that the place gets really busy and waitresses will rush around. One thing to note is that Koreans (unlike Thai, Japanese, other Asians) will not go out of their way to service non-Koreans. It is not that they don't like you, it is just that they are too preoccupied servicing everybody else. So don't expect pampering for sure.
(4)Elizabeth H.
The beef here melts in your mouth. This place is great but prepare to smell like the meal until you change out of your clothes and take a shower.
(5)Oona B.
great soon doo boo!!
(5)Mrjustice ..
Maybe if you're Korean, maybe the place is "OK". If not, then 'fogettaboutit'. Panchans (for non-Koreans), not spicy and not much variety. Had to ask several times, until we got at least SOME of the real Korean stuff. As for the Cook at the Table Dinners, again we were not allowed to cook our own (while the Korean diners were). Also, not provided with the plate of spliced green onions like all other Korean Diners (we like onions too!). Also, not really impressed with 'stone-top' cooking versus real over-the-coals BBQ. Also, really surprised NO ONE was provided with at least grean lettuce leaves for roll-ups of the BBQ meat, like other Korean BBQ's (let alone the even better large radish roll-ups) along with garlic cloves. Enough experimenting with 'other' Korean restaurants, I'll stick with the best -- Kang Nam (where you get EVERYTHING -- even korean pancake and soup included, for virtually same price; and all the wonderful Korean panchans -- and not treated like a 2nd-class citizen).
(1)Abby D.
this is my advice about this place: if you are STARVING for good korean fare, haven't had your needed fix in far too long, and your blood sugar is plummeting so rapidly that your dining buddies seem to be more irritating by the minute, DON'T GO HERE. chances are: you'll be irritated by: a) the long wait for a table, b) the somewhat claustrophobic feel from the crowded interior, c) the service that seems to serve every table except yours, or d) none of the above (you're simply so hungry anything proves irritating). instead, i'd suggest either eating a protein bar before heading over to cso or stopping by a fast food eatery and calming down with an order o' fries or the like. THEN go and tackle the wonders of cso. coming here on an empty stomach is far worse than going grocery shopping in said condition.
(4)Alex C.
This is one of the oldest korean restuarants in Chicago and they recently remodeled. There is plenty of waiting for tables every night since it's small and very popular. They are known for Cha Dol Bae Gi which is unmarinated thinly sliced beef with lovely fat marbled in. Not for the dieting folks. They cook it at the table for you and at the end they dump most of the side dishes left over from your table along with some extra stuff and rice into the pan and make kimchee fried rice. It's heavenly. I love that they give you your own bowl of the cold water kimchee instead of forcing you to share with others like most Korean restaurants do. Meat flavor is amazing and its hard to remember to save some room for the fried rice at the end. This place never disappoints.
(5)Mark P.
Forget being seated timely and getting proper service here unless you're Korean. Ros gui wasn't bad but service is a major turn off.
(1)Amy L.
Great place for the price. Only about 20 bucks for 2 people. Get the cha dol gui. Good stuff. Try not to get more than that because you won't finish it! They don't give you rice during the pan chan and bbq time until the last part of the meal where they come and mix rice with some of the leftover pan chan and meat you have left in the pot. They will give it to you if you request it though. You could get kalbi at a better place like San Soon or Kang Nam though. They make the kalbi for you and the marinade is a little different than most korean kalbi marinades. Be aware though...have to wait even on a weeknight. Many customers go in groups of 5 or more and they take up most of the restaurant. Wear extra layers too if it's cold outside because there are people coming in and out quite often. There isn't much of a waiting area, just by the door and maybe by cash register area. So you may have to stand by the door and suffer through people opening and closing the door. Small cozy place makes me think of Korea even though I've never been there before. Only two waitresses, one busboy, and the owner are seen in the dining area. They look very busy but they are very nice. They speak english but have very heavy accents. It's better to know how to speak Korean and go there. Been there a few times already and enjoyed it each time.
(4)Brick W.
Well this place is awesome that's all I have to say. . . Actually that's not true, as you can tell if you glance up at the left corner of this review I am in fact 100% Korean so my review may be slightly biased. OK so before you continue with my review scroll down and find the review by John C. It's a very insightful and will in fact help you out a little when you go here. I have quite a few "white" friends that really have had bad experiences here mostly waiting for a long long time, and having really bad service. I went two days ago with a group of six Caucasians we went on a Thursday around 7:30 and waited for all of 5 minutes. Our waitress was very very helpful and very polite our food came out lightning fast, and we were helped with some of the dishes. The Cha-dol Gui is awesome! So is the Bulgoge, and the be bim bop. We had a couple of bottles of beer, and a couple of bottles of soju. It was an absolutely fantastic experience for my friends and myself, plus the waitress was like my mom, it was very important to her that I ate alot because I'm one skinny dude and that makes me feel good. GO TO THIS PLACE!!! Be patient and tolerant, and like Mr. C said respectful and you will fall in love with this place.
(5)George H.
Place was closed on a fri night at 6 pm. Please explain.
(2)Jeff C.
Nothing but a positive experience here. It's your typical korean BBQ done right. Only downside is sometimes there's a long wait if you have a group larger than 4. Wear your scrubs in, and plan on tossing them afterwards...you will be infused with "aroma" upon dining.
(4)Kevin A.
Cho Sun Ok is definitely my restaurant of choice when I want Korean food and don't feel like driving up to Lawrence. The place is popular and the restaurant is small which makes the wait kind of a pain in the evenings. I'd recommend that you expect it and just deal with it, because it still beats driving up to Lawrence. Recommendations: try the kalbi, bulgogi, squid, and the soon du boo (apologies for the spelling). Avoid: the mandoo (greasy, and a 2nd degree burn waiting to happen) and wearing nice clothes (you should already know this).
(4)cindy k.
The food is so delicious! Definitely go with the thin-sliced ribeye meat to cook at the table and save some space in your tummy for the kimchi fried rice afterwards that they cook right on the same stone skillet which soaks up the juice/fat from the meat. We usually save some of the meat to throw in there as well. A cautious warning: do not expect any sort of good service and you'll be okay. Most of the time, the waitresses are running around trying to get everything done but they aren't usually attentive to even refill your side dishes nor water cup. So you may have to gently remind them a few times to get what you need!
(4)Leo L.
Small and popular, dont be surprised to find yourself waiting in line. Outside. There is no waiting list so be prepared to hold your place! The first time I came here I cut to the front to see if I could get our name on a list and a lady thought I was cutting in front of her. Not really known for friendly service, the staff is hurried and to the point. So dont expect to them to be very attentive, they wont be. But the food here is great once you get to sit down. Any of the usual Korean BBQ'd meat is great. Try the kimchi and rice too. You wont be disappointed. Dont plan on going out afterwards unless you go home and shower/change. You WILL be smoky and smelling like the food when you leave :)
(4)Samantha L.
I enjoyed the bulgogi here, though I thought the service could have been a little bit better, and it got so cold anytime the door opened, so my food got cold fast. I often wish restaurants had their dining areas better insulated for the sake of my food and myself.
(4)John V.
I love this place. The key is to go for lunch! I love the octopus and beef cooked in the stone pan, and when it is not crowded the wait staff will usually assume you do not know what you are doing (which I do not!) and will cook it for you. It is awesome! And all the side dishes that come with it is more than enough to feed a small army.
(4)Nikkie H.
My first foray into Korean food, and it was intimidating! First the super huge wait lining out the door, then sitting down at the table to stare at a menu that was complete gibberish to me. Luckily my friend and her boyfriend were old hats at Korean and explained some things to me. After calming down I realized I was thinking way too hard. Overall I was happy with the experience. I wouldn't get the same dish again, because it was ice old, but super spicy and those two just don't mesh with me. Also, next time I'm going to bring beer. We had wine, and my class kept getting grease splattered into it from the grill on the table. Ew.
(4)Mookie L.
Hands down THE BEST korean food in Chicago. All local Koreans know and go to this place and considering its my favorite food and I've been to almost every korean restaurant in Chicago, this is the best. Albeit, I've been going here a while so they know me, but for those who are going for the first time, you arent going here for the service, you're going for the food. The best part is the end when they mix everything together on the pan - in order to get this, you have to order from the Bbq menu and cook the meat.
(5)Bianca S.
LOVE this place. I went for the first time last weekend with a group on 8. We had to wait about 10 minutes which for a Saturday night isn't bad. Service is a little rushed and preference is definitely given to "real" Koreans who speak the language. I will say this restaurant has come the closest to my mom's bulgogi. I will definitely be back for more. Kim-chi was also very good. Not quite as good as mom's but passable.
(4)Sherry Y.
This has been a place I've frequented at least five times with different groups of friends. Cho Sun Ok has consistent quality when it comes to their grilled Korean BBQ and many bacchans. I also recommend their seafood pancakes it's delicious! The steamed mandus are just okay. The service is decent. We had to wait for a bit for our food to be brought to us and later on had to remind them to bring our checks over to us a few times, but they only had 3 servers for a busy Friday night. Be prepared for a wait! We left around eight and there was a long line out the restaurant.
(4)Amanda C.
Beware: This restaurant will double or triple charge you!!!!! Their scheme is to tell you your credit card/debit card transaction did not go through and require you to then pay cash. Their food is not good enough to pay 3x the bill. If you must go pay in cash and check your receipt. If I could, I would give this place negative stars. As stated numerous times before on this site, the service is beyond awful. You're lucky if they are rude to you because that means they are paying any attention to you at all. Don't bother going here unless you have zero standards for dining.
(1)Steven H.
I don't usually bother to write a review about dining experience, but the experience we had here has compelled me. I have never been so rudely treated while eating at a restaurant. We asked for extra forks and spoons for our kids, and the wait staff gave us such a dirty look. Toward the end of our meal, they came around and literally pushed our table and the high chair my youngest is sitting on to make room for another group. I will never eat here again.
(1)Mia T.
My fav traditional Korean Restraunt!!! I love this place!! It feel like I'm dining while my grandmothers cooking the good stuff!! Went on Labor Day 2015 w/my Ch Sun Oak buddies (yes I have certain people I go to certain fav restraints with) & as usual the food was fantastic!!! The BBQ is traditional style & at the end they make u Bokembop with remainder of your side dishes... They also have the best Nangmyun (chilled noodle summer dish).... The ladies that work there, I've heard people say they are mean but that's how Korean Ahjoomahs are, they are not mean at all!!! I say GO GO GO GO GO & enjoy!!!! Get there early cause there's a huge line always but it's worth the WAIT!!!! Bon appetite!!!!!
(5)C.C. H.
Cho Sun Ok is like going to your brusque Korean aunt's home for grilled meats and stew while she fails at subtly trying to figure out if you're Korean too or if your Korean friend's kid can speak Korean - oh wait, that's just how it is when I go to Korean restaurants. I liked how homey this place was and thought the prices were competitive with other Korean restaurants that provide less banchan/panchan. My friend did say she found the seasoning to be on the sweeter side. I think she could be right about that. I tried hwe for the first time off the appetizers list and thought it was tasty but underwhelming/overdressed. I am probably a raw fish purist who only wants to eat fish lightly brushed with soy. Two adults and one eight year-old shared the ChaDol-Gui, Always fun and delicious with all the fixings and a watchful server stepping in to move our cooking along when we were being inattentive. Wonderful crispy rice finish to sop up all the meat juices. Another friend got the DaeGu MaeUnTang (codfish stew) - it came in a very large stone pot and seemed enough to feed two. She took a big container of leftovers home. Looking forward to going back and continuing to baffle the staff!
(4)Ben A.
Met a friend here for dinner and was excited for it since I haven't had Korean food in way too long. Be warned there are no reservations, you simply line up and wait. The wait isn't so bad until you are "next" and waiting inside the restaurant. From this vantage point I was in sensory overload from the wafting aromas, sizzling of meats and all the banchan! My friend and I ordered the bulgogi - marinated beef and for an appetizer the Mandu - steamed dumplings. The service is quick and efficient, not the most personable because there is a slight language barrier, but that's ok. First to come out is the assortment of banchan - small dishes, steamed dumplings and moments later our marinated beef and and two bowls of steamed white rice. Our server started the cooking process and from there we were self-sufficient. One order of protein is plenty of food for two people. The bulgogi was sliced thin and the marinade was great, subtle saltiness and sweetness. The steamed dumplings were fantastic and I would definitely recommend ordering for an appetizer. I was completely satisfied with the entire meal, plus they are BYOB. Between my friend and I we ate every morsel of food and were thoroughly stuffed. I'm already planning to return for dinner. Plan on smelling like "restaurant" when you leave this establishment. There is a fair amount of smoke and meat vapors circulating the restaurant between the main kitchen and the tabletop cooking.
(5)Greg S.
The food here was so amazing that I didn't even notice the unfriendly service. The owner was sitting at the bar and had a scowl on his face the entire evening. My friend and I tried to get him to laugh but the best we could do was get him to crack a small grimace...for half a second. We were proud even of that. To be clear, the food was so good that the line was out the door for the full 90 minutes we were seated AND it was raining outside. Try the chadolbaegi (unmarinated brisket) for the table and enjoy the many banchan (small dishes like kimchi) that accompany the rice and meat. Pro tip: leave your jacket and nice clothes at home unless you want to smell like BBQ meat for the rest of the week.
(4)Christine F.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I brought my brother-in-law and sister-in-law here, who both spent the last year living on the east coast of South Korea. They *literally* cried of happiness when we were seated. Everything about this place is authentic, from the food to the ambiance and service. We ordered a TON of food, and it was very reasonably priced. We had what felt like a feast for four people, and our total was only $52. Our notable favorite was the Korean pancake. So yummy. We'll definitely be coming here again the next time they're in Chicago!
(5)Mawie T.
If you're going out with friends instead of eating alone this is the #1 spot in Chicago to get your meat sweat on. The food is ridiculously good, it's BYOB. Their banchan is pretty great and you get so much when you come with more people. The bulgogi and the brisket are my usual go to's and they're pretty stellar. I had them mix us some kimchi friend rice one time and it was excellent. The service isn't as good as some people would expect, but honestly, that's how I know it's a good place to eat. Come early, it was packed when we tried to get a table for 4 at 8pm on a Thursday.
(5)Connie Franchesca H.
Small place, but very delicious. It was very crowded. Line was out the door. Had to call on the waiters a couple times to remind them of additional orders. Besides that very good.
(4)Chris L.
Food is super cheap for amazing quality. The place is kinda small and always...and I mean ALWAYS packed. Every time I went there are lines out the door. If you come with a big party of 5 or more people....good luck getting a seat. Waited 50 minutes in line to have a 5+ table open up but I understand because this place is freakin good. BYOB too so don't forget your alcohol. Overall great food and great prices for Korean BBQ!
(4)Jimmy R.
BYOB, TONS of food. Fried rice at the end of #1 and #3 are amazing. They would never let us order #2 though, or the tofu soup. Any tips on how to try these dishes would be greatly appreciated.
(5)Ting D.
It's NOT worth the wait! We waited for 50 mins after arriving at 5:50 on a Saturday. I wouldn't mind the wait if the food was great. BUT with a selection of like 6 meat items on the menu, below-average side dishes, mediocre sauce, and so-so meat quality, all I can say is that I regret taking the train from downtown for this meal. Oh, I didn't mention the impatient waitresses! They never stood still for our requests, always passing by and barely making eye contact. I am NOT coming back.
(3)Tina L.
If you order the brisket, they make fried rice for you at the end of the meal. That is seriously one of the best parts about Korean BBQ! As far as quality goes, some of the meat is hit or miss. It really depends on the luck of the draw. They could walk out with a plate full of perfectly marbled meat, or you might end up getting no marbling with a lot of fat or just a lot of the red meat, no fat. So don't expect consistency in that department. But I do love that the fried rice at the end will be the perfect close of a delicious meal. A note about waiting: it's a pretty tiny restaurant, and it's gotten quite popular...so expect a wait. The servers will be busy and frazzled but will eventually get to you. So if you're starving and cannot wait, I don't know what to tell you. At least it's BYOB and you can maybe get started on your drinks first? LOL.
(4)Mira S.
We waited about 40 minutes on a random, somewhat cold winter Thursday night, getting inside the door and out of the cold after maybe 15 minutes. The meat smells waft down the block as you walk in. The tiny place probably seats 40, but the tables are all made for several people, and they'll seat two people at them, so it's not super efficient. Then again you sort of need more space on each table for the stoves, which are built into the octagonal tables and long tables, and set on top of the smaller rectangular tables. The clientele was almost all people in their 20s and 30s, except for one middle-aged Korean couple. We didn't go against the grain, getting the number one beef and a scallion pancake. I would have preferred the marinated beef (bulgogi) but they don't do the fried rice with that, and the fried rice is worth trying. They cooked the beef for us at our table, then dumped in a bunch of kimchi and rice with a bit of beef and the juices in the stone pot. The fried rice made a great lunch the next day. The scallion pancake was stuffed with stuff. They gave us lots of sides, but this wasn't my favorite set; for instance, it was missing the glass noodles I've had at other Korean places. Overall the food was good, service wasn't gushing, but did the job, and it's fun to watch your food cooking. And font forget, it's byob. There's a liquor store about two blocks away, so chances are you'll have plenty of time to walk down while you wait for a table.
(4)Ting Ting ..
Update : I went during lunch hour on a Friday and it was busy so the customer service was decent. Definitely not the best customer service but definitely 10 steps up from when they are super slammed. The food was amazing as always.
(4)Julia D.
Great place to eat if you are elderly Asians. They will serve you like kings. On the other hand, if you are young they will take their sweet time to serve you. Moving on to the food... The juice and fat from the Galbi made the inside of my mouth so happy and warm . The bulgogi was decent. If you make it at the table yourself it's better. Chadolgui was also melt in your mouth delish. Super fatty and crispy. Just how I like my meat hehe.
(4)Stacie L.
There's a joke in a Friends episode about a restaurant being good because there were a lot of Chinese people eating in it. Well, the same goes for Cho Sun Ok, except you know this place is fantastic because there is ALWAYS a line of Korean people (and others) waiting outside. My friends and I were lucky to arrive just before 5pm on a weeknight, so we beat the major rush. We still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, but 30 minutes later, there was literally a line out the door. We ordered the marinated beef (bulgogi) and a seafood pancake for 3. This comes with rice and about 10 other side dishes that will fill the table. You can snack on the sides while the beef cooks right on your table top. It smells amazing, it tastes even better. I did not try to seafood pancake, but my friends said it was just as delicious as previous reviews have mentioned. Overall, this is a solid place for authentic Korean BBQ, but be prepared to wait outside for the experience.
(5)Cindy L.
Food was served so quickly and it was tasty, but the service is meh. You will feel rushed and no one will explain anything to you. I prefer charcoal grills over stone pots, but it was still a lot of meat for the price. Everyone else got fried rice at the end but our table, but we didn't really know what was going on (ie:"/ do we leave the meat in the stoneware or move it to our little plates, etc.). The place fills up quickly, but the food arrives so fast you won't have to wait long. I did feel very rushed by the waitresses. They never came around to refill any side dishes or water
(4)Natan P.
Great food and lots of it. Would definitely return here. Only downside is the wait to get in (no reservations) and it gets hot in there because of all the tabletop cookers, but that's for food this good, it's worth the wait and worth the heat. Bulgogi was excellent along with the Bibimbap and one of the noodle dishes (can't remember name...). Not to mention, the vast array of side dishes they serve you to enjoy before and during your meal was a pleasant surprise.
(4)Barry W.
Excellent Korean food -- Small dinning area so you will probably have to wait, but it is worth it. Not your typical Korean restaurant, more of a home style place, something you might eat at a Korean home not a restaurant.
(4)Sara T.
Whenever a korean bbq craving hits, my mind immediately thinks: "Cho Sun Ok." For a magical explosion of yummy flavors, try the ChaDol-Gui with the accompanying sesame oil & salt dipping sauce, the julienned scallions, and a bite of raw garlic. This particular selection comes with kimchi fried rice at the end of the meal. It's SO money, ironically, for not that much money... it's affordable at around $22 for an order meant to be split amongst 2 people. It's also BYOB so get your soju ready.
(4)Evie H.
Cho Sun Ok is probably one of the best Korean bbq places in the Chicago area if you don't feel like spending a fortune for meat (meat-lovers - this place is for you). The banchan dishes are fairly regular. A couple of favorites are the potato salad with apples, fish cake, and the seaweed. As far as appetizers go - order the fried mandu which is basically THE BEST appetizer on the menu served at an incredible price which you won't find anywhere else. It's an awesome steal! Main course - I'm a big proponent of the #1 thin-sliced beef. They bring a giant pile of meat which you can grill yourself. One order can pretty easily feed 2.5 people so order accordingly. I also absolutely love the fried rice at the end of the meal. It's amazing how they can make it so quickly and yet have it taste so homey and delicious. Oddly enough, the fried rice stuck at the bottom towards the very end is weirdly good too so don't let it go to waste! (Clearly I was only a little hungry when I came). Basically if you come prepared for the probably not-so-good service, Cho Sun Ok is the best deal for Korean BBQ in Chicago. Come during off-hours, either a late lunch or an early dinner, to avoid the rush and your service may be slightly better. If you want a place with a better ambiance and service, I would recommend Gogi instead which is slightly further up north (but it's also much pricier).
(5)Nelly M.
If only this place were closer to where I live, I'd definitely come every week! Don't mind the service. Come only for the food! It is really good. A Korean place which is full of Koreans is always a good sign right? I came here right at 12, lunch time so I had to wait for about 20 minutes! But it was all worth the wait. The BBQ was like I expected it and the seafood pancake is good. Good. I wish Madison had a Korean restaurant that has BBQ place like this one.
(5)Jackie M.
One of my favorite korean bbq. I usually come here on Sunday afternoon, which there is no wait! I dislike how the waitress is always rushing me to finish or ignore me. Service is horrible here, but I'm here for the food. I usually order the plain beef and cook on stone bowl, which the waiter later would cook the kim chee fried rice. THe seafood tofu soup is very hearty and enjoyable. The dumpling (fried or steam) is very reasonably priced and delicious. Chap chae was good. Note - do not wear your nice sweater or coat, because you will come out stinking like bbq and kim chee.
(4)MyongHi S.
4 stars for amazing, authentic Korean food. Their stone pot is killer and they'll make kimchi fried rice for you at the table with it. 1 star short because of the terrible service. Oh, PS - the restrooms are quite an experience.
(4)Jen D.
I was drawn to order carryout based on the ever-present line of Korean people out the door, and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered the bibimbop to go, it was delicious!! I need to go eat-in sometime so I can try a bunch of dishes with friends but I'm not looking forward to the line. It's not fancy inside, but it is... "well loved". PS. Be prepared to smell like the cooking meat when you leave :)
(4)Dan M.
A complete hole in the wall but what a pleasant surprise in an unexpected area for me. I was in town and my group came to the conclusion that Korean BBQ was what they were craving. I was a bit skeptical since I am used to true Korean bbq in LA but after a bit of searching this joint popped up on the map. A bit far up on the brown line but we made the journey out there for an early dinner and arrived at the spot around 6:15 on a Friday. There was no line which made sense given how early it was so we were promptly seated. This place does pack up quickly post 6:30 so plan accordingly. This joint is relatively small so it quickly fills up. As everyone else mentions it is in fact a BYOB so bring the Soju from home and save on the overpriced bottles at the restaurant . We decided to of course go with the Brisket (automatic two portions). TIP: You can actually ask for a single serving of a meat dish apparently after discussing with the waitress and order 1 serving of multiple items in case you don't want to be stuck with too much of one thing! The brisket came out and I was immediately surprised. They gave a TON of meat here for a very good price I felt especially for two people. The marbling was good on this one but I could see some inconsistency from the other plates coming out but no complaints since our portion was solid. Cooked well and just delish We wanted to try a few others so we ordered the bulgogi but that was a miss for me and a bit too sweet for me. The fried rice at the end was good also but probably not the best ive had. One thing to note about the service here... yes it seems spotty but I think it has to do with the owner maybe? There seemed to be a visual optic of "rule with iron fist" that seemed to motivate the workers so I think they are just working to be efficient as possible. All in all, a solid joint and will def make this my "go to" for BBQ in Chicago
(4)Jennifer L.
Their food, banchan and overall bargain for my meal was a five, but their service was a one, so a three it is. I don't expect high quality service at Korean joints, that's not the thing, that's not the restaurant culture in Korean joints I've ever expected, but when I have to straight up ask for my check three times after waiting twenty minutes, you are dead to me. When I try to signal for some water, or even some boricha that the waitresses only gave to the More Korean people in the restaurant, and my throat is parched for half an hour, you're deader. I was a single diner on a Thursday, before peak dinner time, and when I first got there, there were three other tables - two with two people and one with three. Then it got to be Korean BBQ fest with multiple parties, including two Korean families, and I was dead to them. The two Korean families were treated like kings and queens, as expected, but, bitches, I'm Korean too! When I told my mom my service sucked, she was not surprised and when I told her I ordered the kimchi jjiggae, she told me the joke is that restaurants use leftover table kimchi to make it - WTF MOM, THANKS FOR THE HEAD'S UP. If that is true, it was still on point. Some restaurants are nicer to you when you are a solo diner, and some are not because they think you're some cheap date. Cho Sun Ok treats you like the latter.
(3)Jialing L.
One of the best places to get korean bbq in Chicago. I would definitely say to try to come here with a Korean friend though; the service is better that way (still not great. but its better). The meat is pretty high quality for kbbq and the banchan (side dishes) and other dishes are good as well. I would say you should get the Cha Dol Gui for sure and the bulgogi if you have enough people to get more meat. I like how they also do fried rice after youve finished the meat. So if you think the meat isn't enough food, the rice will definitely fill you up. Sadly, they do not add more banchan. I've also gotten the seafood pancake (pal jeon); its a huge portion and very well made. The soondubu jigae is very traditional and has just correct amount of spiciness. I'm always complaining that many other places don't have the soup spicy enough but Cho Sun Ok makes it the way I like it. If you're looking for good service, this is not the place. But in my opinion, the food is worth the bad service. And I've been here so many times, I know i'll definitely be back.
(4)Mo M.
Chicago's best food. Chicago's worst service. EAT HERE, NO REGRETS EVER.
(5)Tim W.
A trip to Chicago wouldn't be complete without a stop at Cho Sun Ok for some delicious Korean food and a stop at H-mart for a ton of kimchi. Yes, this place is busy. Thus, I make it a point to try to get here at odd hours to promptly get a table. Yes, the service is pretty poor. Yes they will come cook your meat for you if you're too slow. But I've come to expect that as part of the overall experience. After all it's the same 2-3 Korean ladies serving the entire restaurant every time I'm there. Cha Dol is the thing to order. It's super thin, cooks quickly, is perfectly fatty and tastes incredibly good in just the sesame oil/salt/pepper dipping sauce they give you. The seafood pancake has great flavor and thickness to it, but it's more of a green onion pancake with little bits of seafood in it. To finish the meal, they make kimchi fried rice in your stone skillet. One time they let it sit for too long and completely burnt it. We knew it was burnt, but didn't want to mix it because they might yell at us like last time. Also, an OG Korean lady at the next table straight up stole one of our chopsticks without hesitation right after we sat down. This place is awesome.
(5)Yi H.
The food is ok but the service is horrible. Definitely not worth the long drive and long waiting.
(1)Patrycja E Z.
My first Korean BBQ and LOVE it. Everything what we ordered was delish: grilled beef & octopus, seafood pancakes. The other thing is You feel like u went to Korea. Everyone speaks Korean. All eats Korean. You Have a gas burner on the table. This is so COOL!
(5)Shauna D.
Chicago's Korean answer to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi!! Great food, terrible service. I had one experience with table top grilling years ago, and I remembered that they brought you the food and you grill it yourself. As soon as we sat down she immediately asked what we were having AS she was putting the menus down. You WILL feel rushed, so if you're not into that, and you're looking to catch up with an old friend and take your time, this is not the place for that. We hurriedly selected the #1 and the fried dumpling appetizer, and I was happy I checked yelp for recommendations/frequent favorites ahead of time, because she was not about to wait for us to browse the menu. After we ordered, they brought us the meat and all the side dishes and veggies, and lit the tabletop stone pot. We waited a few minutes to see if they would return to help us or ask at least if we knew what we were doing. When that never happened, we said, OK, guess we're on our own here, and started putting the meat and garlic and onions in the pot... A few minutes later our server came over with a bewildered look, and a quiet "What are you doing No No No" monologue under he breath as she took what we had in the pot out, and, very minimally/"sort-of" indicated that ALL the meat goes in first, then she will make the kimchi fried rice with several of the small dishes after the meat is cooked. This was never actually articulated, I just put it together after I saw what she did. Not sure why she was so disappointed, after all, she lit a pot and left raw food on our table with any words and walked away.. we are a couple of white people.. we might need a little guidance here. We felt stupid and that wasn't right, we shouldn't have been made to feel that way. Anyway, it's a definite Soup Nazi situation: 1) There will be a wait. 2) You better know what you want ahead of time. 3) Don't mess around or take too long. 4) Don't expect any dialogue. 5) The food is excellent. We (two starving adults) shared the fried dumplings and 1 order of the #1 and we still had leftovers, and our bill was only $31.70... AND its BYOB, AND they take cards... That is pretty hard to beat. Now that we know what to do, we'll be returning and probably often.
(4)MaryAnn Z.
Family vacation to Chicago. Found this restaurant on Google. Should have read All of the YELP reviews! What a Terrible experience! The servers were So RUDE! The food was mediocre at best. The restaurant was small and cramped and the portable gas BBQ were unsafe! Cannot believe the Fire Dept. hasn't shut them down!!! I'm amazed that this place got such high reviews because it was terrible! The food was fair but not memorable. Two tables that were seated after us got served before us. We were pretty much ignored until we complained. Then when we finally placed our order, it was incomplete. The food is Not worth dealing with such rude service!
(1)Jason Y.
Sure is the wait long and the service could be better. But oh mama the food is excellent at a great price point.
(5)Carrie L.
When you put a bunch of hungry people who were delayed and stuck in Chicago in a Korean restaurant, I guess it's fair to say they would definitely over order. We got in around 9 PM and it was a full house. We only had to wait a little bit before we were seated. We each ordered our own korean soup entree (kalbi tang for me!) and two BBQ options. All the food was soo good and their service was quick. We didn't realize they would also serve kimchi fried rice for us. So we were basically left with a ton of left over. Coming from Boston, we were just shocked at how much food and how little we paid. We were also given some hershey bars at the end. Which was odd, but free is free!
(4)Jimmy S.
So the previous reviews were right. Make sure you're ready to wait outside for an hour plus if it's the weekend. We got there at 7:15 on a Saturday and weren't seated until 8:30. You can't put your name on a list, it's just waiting in a line on the side of the building. But let me tell you...once you get inside the aroma is pure meat scented heaven. Once we sat at the table, we had no idea what was going on. The waitress who spoke broken English pointed at a few different menu items, which we followed (besides those that had seafood included). The steak was to die for. Except for the fact that we didn't realize we weren't grilling it fast enough. The sides were...good? Interesting? We didn't know what any of it was. We asked multiple times...and received broken English responses with fingers quickly pointed towards pans or menu items. So was that bean jello or onion? Water chestnut tofu jelly maybe? The noodle dish was good. Spicy maybe? Bland? No idea. The noodles were transparent. I don't even know if beef was included. We brought two bottles of wine. We were rushed out before we could have comfortably drank both. Except there was no line. We could have waited. Oops. The service was nice, if not overly watchful. They never refilled water, put meat on the griddle without asking, or explained anything enough for us that were uninitiated to understand. It's okay. But I just won't know what's going on next time I try a Korean BBQ place. The wait was long, the service was below average, I had no idea what I ordered and yet...I'm beyond happy with the dinner choice. It was fun. I didn't know what I ate. We consumed two bottles of wine between three people. And boldly explored a new frontier of culinary depth. I regret nothing. And yet would never go back to this place on a weekend. But would happily do so on a summer weekday. With my Korean dictionary. 8/10
(4)Patrick C.
This place is one of my favorite places to get Korean BBQ in Chicago. Granted this place is still pretty crappy compared to LA standards, however for Chicago standards it's pretty bomb. This place is not AYCE, but portions are good, the price is just right, and it's BYOB. The biggest negative to this place is that the workers there try to rush you out. They throw all your meat on the grill instead of allowing you to take your time eating. The service can be pretty bad too, but then again, it's a Korean restaurant so what do you expect! Another negative is that you have to wait in line to get in, you can't just put your name on a list and wait for them to call your name. There's always a line during dinner time so during the winter you can be standing in the cold for 1+ hours sometimes.
(4)Tian Y.
Oh goodness this place was packed right up until their closing. We were barely the last people to make it in around 8:30ish (not sure if the hours on Yelp are right, actually) and there were several parties in line ahead of us. Apparently you just line up and get called in - and expect to wait! The place is cramped and tiny and smells like kbbq, but that's what you expect in the middle of the city, right? Service was basically non-existent, even though there were 2 Koreans in our party that spoke to the servers in Korean. I was told that it was even worse when you don't come with Koreans - they just don't get you things and forget about you. Instead of being impatient, you should be more assertive and just remind them periodically. If you like chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket), you're in luck. With tax+tip we paid $16 per serving and were stuffed, and that is SO much cheaper than AYCE kbbq in the suburbs. I was told the slices are normally thinner (like they are everywhere else), but on our day it was particularly thick, tougher, and took a long time to cook... so it may or may not be worth the wait on your day. Then again, the side dishes were delicious (the shredded green onion wasn't thinned out with lettuce, for one) and at the end of the meal, they cook fried rice on the stone pot with side dishes. Haven't decided whether Cho Sun Ok is worth the trouble over more painless options with less wait (San Soo Gab San, for one, or any KBBQ in Niles), but if you do get a chance to eat here, you can expect it to be a reliably good choice!
(4)Jin K.
What's not to like about this mom & pop Korean restaurant! Food is great, quick service, great prices & it's byob!!! Only gripe is that it is a small place & you will have to wait at least an half hour or more to get in. It makes sense, they have great food. We had the 3 orders of the chadol-gui. My wife's favorite & she said it was one of the best she's ever had! High praise, I still can't get over the prices, it's a great value! They had quality side dishes & the waitress will cook kimchee fried rice w/ all the leftover side dishes, classic Korean! My only regret is that we didn't come back & eat here again on our short trip to Chicago. I will be back! As far as the service goes, don't expect much, it's nitty gritty. It helps if you have a cute kid w/ you but you don't come here to get pampered! Just enjoy the great food & value!
(5)Rosa K.
Wtf. I expected a lot about this place. And finally when i got here, it was fxing annoying. They just make us kicked out from there place just because they were busy. We were eating the meat but she keep make us eat faster and faster. I HATE THIS PLACE and I will never go here again. ...
(1)Rose P.
This place have incredible prices but the service is bad. If you don't a Korean friend then it is worse. They make sure you eat fast then leave and there was no rush. No matter how good the food after that kind of service you kind of lose your appetite.
(3)Adrienne T.
Cho Sun Ok does some great things, but they also do some not so great things. Before heading here, keep in mind this place is tiny. I've been here several times, even at odd hours and there is always a wait. The Good: - Their banchan (side dishes) are very fresh and authentic. They usually serve two types of kimchi, as well. I LOVE KIMCHI!!!!!! - They serve the rice at the end of the meal in a bokum bap style, also known as fried rice. I love it. Don't be surprised when they throw in the remainder of your side dishes. This makes for some yummy Korean fried rice. The Bad: - The service here is by far the worst service I've EVER received at a Korean restaurant (In the US and S. Korea). The ladies working here won't even look at you or stop to see if you need anything. Now, I know Korean restaurants are not known for their service, however, trying to get a server to come to your table is not an easy task here. The past time I was here they refused to make eye contact with me and when I spoke to them in KOREAN they turned to my Korean friend instead and answered her - even though she wasn't doing the talking. - They don't serve alcohol. I usually rejoice in the BYOB restaurants. Nonetheless, there is something to be said about soju and meat. It goes REALLY well together. It should be served here, but it is not. That makes me sad. If I want to dine here, I first have to go to Joong Boo Market to get my soju and then go to Cho Sun Ok. - Their yukgaejang is horrible. My Korean friend agreed. It tasted like salted water with some red pepper. Yep - don't order it! Ok - so you see - there are some great things happening here and not so great things, which is why it received my A-OK approval. I prefer other k restaurants where I will at least get served soju and receive better service.
(3)Victoria W.
This review is ONLY on the service and environment at this restaurant. My friend and I are foodies. I just moved to Chicago 6 months ago and want to try out all the different villages ethnic places in town. My friend suggested we go try out this place, she had never been but her friend who is Korean said this place is good. We NEVER made it inside this restaurant. And I don't EVER plan on going inside. In below freezing weather, at 2:30PM on a Saturday afternoon, there was a line, it was outside of their door. Ok that is fine but can I at least go inside and see how long the wait time is? Once I opened the door some shameless Korean woman gave me a snare and said "Can you close the door?". This was BEYOND rude, inconsiderate and selfish. This is NOT her restaurant, no one else said anything, and I am just like her, a customer here and I have as much right as her. I am not hurting her in any way, but she was just being selfish, doesn't care if there were people standing outside freezing but could not talk to anyone who actually works at the restaurant. After that incident, I have NO DESIRE to eat there. This tells me that is the kind of people who come and eat here and likely a reflection of the service at this restaurant because likely only rude people would not be bothered by rude service. Reading from the reviews on this page, it seems like the service inside is just as rude as the people. I have more respect for myself than bother being here. This is beyond a Korean culture thing. I have been to many ethnic restaurants, including Asian, and pure disrespect to customers is just NOT acceptable.
(1)Erin E.
i think it's about time for this update, seeing as i crave this stuff and have been here several times since my last review. the food is truly amazing. bulgogi, bibimbop, beansprouts... they got all my 'b' needs covered. but don't just get the bulgogi-- my favorite is actually the #1- unmarinated beef. oh my god, i just ate it yesterday but writing about it makes me drool. srsly. what has changed for me is that i have learned how to not let the service stress me out. and to come prepared. once, we brought our own wine opener and even plastic cups-- cuz i was gonna be damned if i went thirsty during the meal (see my last review)-- but didn't end up needing either- the waitress actually brought both without us asking. incredible. i try to sit back, relax, and have patience... trusting that they will eventually take care of us. and they always do. not even close to service with a smile, but service none-the-less.
(4)Eric F.
I have written about so many Korean restaurants in Los Angeles that I am a bit stumped as to how to proceed with this well established Chicago based Korean BBQ place. First off, Chicago's Korean community is much smaller than LA's. This means less competition, and harder to get ingredients. So of course Chicago;s prices will be higher, and the chance of coming across an all you can eat place is far less. So all I can focus on is the quality of the food in the environment of Chicago's Korean population. That said, the food here was really good, although each order cost a lot and it was difficult to get a variety as I do in LA. Unlike in Los Angeles, where you order a small portion of about six different meats... at Cho Sun Ok you order on one or two meats, but you get a lot of each. I saw many couples splitting one huge pile of BulGoGi, and having the time of their lives. I also saw entire Korean families of ten ordering three or four dishes plus a stew and a pancake, and they were having great fun too. It is a different mind set in Chi... more like a big meal, rather than a huge feats. However, my favorite thing about the Korean BBQ is not the meat, it is the Banchan (the little dished of pickled and cured vegetables and fish). And at Cho Sun Ok, they bring out a hell of a lot more Banchan than any place I go to in LA. I know a numer of Chicagoans that swear by this place as the best Korean in town. I have to admit... after trying out a few places in Chicago... Cho Sun Ok was and is the best.
(4)Sabrina C.
I love the place even though it's a small space and there is usually a long wait. The korean bbq is so good. Always get the chadolbaegi there. Near the end of the meal, the waitress even gave us rice to cook in there to make fried rice. And we also had the nakji bokkum (octopus) which was soooo good. And mid way through, they also gave us noodles to stir and cook with it. Sometimes, I wasn't great at cooking the food so the waitress at one point swung by and helped us out.
(5)Leslie Y.
4 stars only because of the wait and lack of service. We got there at around 7:30, and had to wait for about an hour. However, FOOD IS AMAZING. To be honest, everyone here did get the seafood pancake, but I have had far better, so I wouldn't spend money on it. It didn't have enough seafood. We got the #1 beef - thin sliced non-marinated beef. Very delicious, and enough for 2! and at the end when they add the rice, well, this ended up being another meal for me and my fiance. PS, I am not Korean, so I can't speak to the service being better or worse if you are Korean, but I really wanted some water, and my chopsticks broke halfway through the meal and let's just say I never got water, but after telling the waitress twice I needed a new pair of chopsticks, they came. Come here for the BBQ, but don't expect good service and you will be delighted. Parking is fine, we found street parking for free. Also, what a random place for a Korean restaurant to be!
(4)Rana K.
CAN I GIVE THIS PLACE ZERO STARS??? I live in the neighborhood and always see a line here. We ventured in and had the single worst dining experience ever! Despite one-third of the tables being seated, we sat for a solid 10 minutes before anyone came to take our order. The server wasn't nice, friendly or helpful. We got the ChaDol Gui which I have read here to be "amazing." We were there with our 8 year old daughter and asked for her to get a side of rice - which the server said was not available or on the menu. I asked for plain noodles, she said no, but suggested a dish - JapChae as plain noodles were unavailable. After I saw another table with plain rice I asked again - the server seemed annoyed, but then finally brought a side of plain rice to the table. (note I saw another table get plain noodles a few minutes later which were unavailable as she was clearly trying to upsell me on dishes since she said "oh you're ordering a dish for two" when we got the ChaDol. Fast forward to a totally inedible, blackened crisp ChaDol Gui. - it was BURNT to a black crisp in front of us as absolutely nobody paid any attention to our table. The server said "oh look, it's crispy" and smiled and served it to us as if she had specially cooked it that way. We nicely asked for our check, said we needed to leave .. frankly,.so we could eat a meal somewhere that serves edible food and pays attention to their customers. No apologies, No sorry for zero attention. Rude waitstaff. AWFUL, inedible $40 burnt meal...everything else tasted ho-hum. It's a miracle this place is open. Why on earth would anyone wait in line here? Shocked.
(1)Ruxin H.
Best korean bbq ever (well not as good as the one in korea but you know what I meant) I have been here several times. Usually lunch time has a shorter line, even on weekends. During dinner time, the line can easily go far beyond the door front, with 1-2 hr wait. They have roughly 6 tables here, mostly large tables, so it is good for a big group. I usually get the bulgogi and #6. With #6, which is not marinated, they will make a kimchi fried rice on the pan when you finish grilling the meat. The bulgogi, on the other hand, is so well marinated. Sadly, they wont give you kimchi fried rice with that. I've also tried their soon do bu (tofu soup) and seafood pancake. I think the seafood pancake is a OK, but the soon doo bu was good. But usually I will just come here for the bulgogi and #6 And they have a million free small side dishes (not as good as the ones in NYC korean town where they gave you a fish, but side dishes are not the most important thing here)
(5)april w.
Small authentic Korean restaurant. 3 of my friends and u came around 7:30pm on a Thursday night and waited in line for about 30 minutes. We ordered Korean BBQ (kalbi and bulgolgi), and I really liked the kalbi! Great flavor and tenderness! The pan chan (free appetizer dishes: kimchi, potatoes, seaweed, bean sprouts, pickled cabbage, etc) were great as well. They were good about restocking the pan chan when we ran out of something. And at the end of your meal, they mix all the leftover panchan and some rice to make fried rice in front of you! Great service - services were more comfortable with Korean so be sure to grab a Korean friend with you! This place is also byob and there's a jewel really close by! Everyone who eats here will walk out smelling like Korean BBQ (good or bad is your judgement). I personally like the smell. A great plus for this place is that there are plenty of free, metered, and bike parking along the street! Oh and compared to other Korean BBQ places like woori village and San soo gab sun, I like woori and San soo better cause they're bigger (shorter line) and their marinated meats taste better to me.
(4)Sunny C.
Loved the Korean bbq here. The rice was amazing and the service was excellent!
(5)Yanyao N.
Stopped in for a little Korean food fix for lunch on a weekday. The place started to fill up with various Asians, Korean ladies who lunch at drink Blue Moon, and a few smatterings of non-Koreans. The service is not too hospitable - so unless you flag someone down, you may end up sitting there for a while all confused. I ordered the seafood pancake, which was bland, and the hot and spicy squid, which was spicy and hot and pretty delicious, except I think the dish was 75% sliced onion. Ample banchan was brought out. I did sort of satiate my Korean food craving, but will probably end up ordering food delivered for places further north next time. I definitely won't be lining up on a weekend to eat here again. I think it would be wise to bring a Korean person with you if you ate here.
(3)Christine C.
as all the yelpers mentioned, service was terrible. even though I expected it, I was still surprised how bad it was! they weren't busy since I went midday (3pm) and the servers didn't say one word to me... they walk up to you in silence which meant "what would you like to order"... they didn't even say bye when i left. rude. food was nothing special. got the fried mandoo which was good bc anything fried is delicious... it didn't look homemade. I also got mulnengmyun which was good enough for a hot summer day. the only thing I was pleasantly surprised about was the quantity of the mandoo for only four bucks! that's why they get two stars rather than one.
(2)Meghan B.
So. Much. Food. If you're looking for authentic Korean BBQ, look no further. Keep in mind, this is a no frills, no nonsense place. Inside it is small and there is almost always a long line outside, but it's worth the wait. Waitstaff comes by sparingly, so don't expect 5 star service. The fact that it's BYOB is amazing - our bill was around $40 for a party of 3. We split: Gun Mandu (pan fried dumplings), ChaDol-Gui (marinated beef that we cook tableside) and JapChae (stir-fried noodles with veggies and beef). + rice and all of the sides they give you. Amazing - and more than enough food for the table. Highly recommend!!
(4)Dave D.
I really like Korean BBQ, but after coming to Cho Sun Ok, I feel like this is the first time I've truly had fantastic Korean BBQ. My husband and I came here with a friend of his and his girlfriend. We were thinking about hitting up a place in the suburbs but they didn't do the BBQ at the table that day. So we made our trek into the city on a Monday evening. First note is that this place is very small and there was a line out the door to wait for a table. So this isn't going to be a quick in and out dinner. After about 30 minutes or so, we got a table. I felt like our experience was probably better because a member of our party was Korean and could speak to the waitress efficiently and ask questions. She ordered all of the food for us and I trusted we'd be getting good stuff. First up was all of the different kimchi, and they were really good. I think my favorite was a potato dish. Then came the seafood pancake. I should note, I'm not much of a seafood person. I was also especially hesitant when I heard there was octopus in the pancake. But hey, I'll try anything once. If I hated it, I could coat my mouth with more delicious kimchi. But surprisingly, I loved the pancake. Whatever they're doing is really great and I could eat the whole gigantic thing myself. Next up were the meats. We got the unseasoned beef and the bulgogi. Two options for the meats were to either add green onions and a spicy concoction, or you could dip them in this sesame oil that had salt and pepper in it. I prefered the sesame oil. The meat was lightly seasoned and the sesame oil made it taste crazy delicious. I definitely need to try this new technique at home. Then, when we were all about to burst from being too full, the waitress came by and put all of the leftover kimchi and other items into the BBQ and added rice to make a kimchi fried rice. It was amazing. I especially loved the burnt parts on the edges. I even had some fried rice to take home with me. All in all, the food was over the top fantastic. We will definitely be back at some point when we know we aren't in any hurry and I'll probably end up ordering the same exact thing we got last time because it was so good.
(5)Erik P.
People have been pissing and moaning that Cho Sun Ok has terrible service but great food. I will concede that on the surface both of those appear to be true. CSO is a small restaurant that does a lot of business, so apparently it can't be all that bad. Most of the bad reviews complain that the service is poor and the staff is rude. I feel that most Americans are not aware that internationally, dining establishments don't bend over backward to cater to your every whim like they do in America. Also, tips aren't necessary given or wanted. CSO is a Korean restaurant serving primarily Korean patron who understand this. The staff is Korean, the food is Korean, and as someone who has served in Korea I found the whole experience to be pleasant and not at all rude or rushed. If you want someone to kiss your butt and constantly refill your water, there are a lot of choices from sea to shining sea for you to dine. If you want authentic Korean BBQ that is worthy of a lengthy wait, then suck it up, accept that Chicago is an international city with international citizens, and try something new. Who knows... you may just like it.
(4)Paul G.
CHO SUN OK!??! OK?! get it. i dont, because it not even pronounced that like so dont say it like that, OK?. The pronunciation is Cho son oh. also, the faster you say it the more accurate it sounds. First off, this place is tiny. They have about 10 tables in the restaurant. Also do not go with a party bigger than 6. We went with 10 people and had to be split up. Which was fine with us. This place is BYOB so pack up the booze and if you forgot, the CVS down the street has alcohol [walkable ~4 minutes southeast on Lincoln]. I did not do any of the ordering but we basically got the thinly sliced beef. It comes with soooo many pieces. It is very good. We wanted to order pork but they told us it had to be cooked in the back for some reason. Anyway, my favorite part about this place is the banchan. WOW. It is sooooo good. They fish cakes are amazing. Like something i've never had before. The kimchi is delicious and you can tell it's how made. We put the kimchi on the hot plate with the beef.... HEAVEN. The warmed up kimchi is so amazing. So definitely try that. Honestly there is not much more to stay about it. The service is decent like any asian place. I don't think this is the best korean food I've ever had [LA has better korean food :( OBVS], but it IS THE BEST in Chicago thus far. So go try Cho Sun OK. Oh did I mention, the sign is yellow and it doesnt have any english Title on it? haha it only says "korean restaurant"
(5)Jaci Y.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant is a popular place to have Korean BBq. When you get there around dinner time the line is out the door to get a table. Partly because the place is small dining room. They turn tables pretty fast too. Long time customers go there for the meats, side dishes, and delicious seafood pancakes. My favorite meal to order is the " non marinaded steak" because it comes with soy bean paste dip for the meat, and at the end of the meal the waitress will cook up some kimchee fried rice with the left over side dishes. It is very delicious way to end Korean bbq. They make great tradition favorite dishes like chap jae ( sweet potato noodles) and mandoo ( Korean pan fried dumplings) they are a hit every time we go there to eat. The really cool thing about Cho Sun Ok is that you it is one of the most affordable Kbbq restaurants. You can eat with a family of 5 people with under $50 which is very reasonable. I say try this place out if you haven't yet, the food is delicious. But I have to warn you waitresses work fast and they can't attend to the table as attentively so you might have to ask for fill your water cup up a few times before that happens. Seconds on side dishes probably not going to happen if it's majorly busy. The is the down side to dining at Cho Sun Ok. However, it is very good and I enjoy going there to dine with family and friends.
(4)Ricardo A.
It was my first time in an authentic Korean bbq place with my friend who is actually Korean. Naturally I gave him free range over the menu and let him decide what we would eat. He ordered two plates bulgogi and chaDol-gui. Which ended up being amazing. The portions were huge and the complimentary kimchi and side food pairings made it all the better. I also loved that they are byob. The only set back is that it is small place so unless you make it there early, you're gonna find yourself waiting in line. But other than that it was truly a delicious and unique experience.
(4)Samantha S.
Very authentic. Down to the "unique" service that you would expect at a restaurant if you were actually in a BBQ place in Korea. The food is definitely authentic and tasty. But I can see how the service at this place can really put off some people. The servers here are all older Korean women. They will tell you where to sit, put menus down, and ask you to order, without much more conversation than that. But in Asian countries it pretty much like this. Americans are used to amazing service and consider that a big part of their meal. I am part Korean and I know that I don't look necessarily Korean and went with a white guy so to be honest I think they were a little racist to us. Other reviews I've read said they don't bring certain items to the table if you don't look Korea. Which is what happened to us. We ordered the thinly sliced beef #1 on the BBQ menu. It is supposed to come with dipping sauce and onions. I saw other tables get this and this dish really should not be served without the dipping sauce. I should have spoken up but it is so hard to get these waitresses attention. It was frustrating. So I have mixed feelings about this place. I would go again because I know what to ask for this time. But this place might be better to go with someone who is Korean or at least familiar with Korean culture/cuisine. After your meat is all cooked if you order one of the listed #1-3 BBQ items. You will get kimchi stir fry at the end of your meal. It is yummy and made for a tasty midnight snack after a night of bar hopping. The yuekaejang is what you would expect. I enjoyed it very much! I got the $4 small portion and it was more than plenty for one person in conjunction with the BBQ. Also got the rice cake soup which is nice for someone who doesn't like spicy foods as much. This is a mild soup with chewy rice cakes and egg. If you bring cute Asians kids they will give them free candy. I guess the one nice thing is that they did give us each a piece of gum at the end. Maybe we looked cute too, for adults. haha.
(3)Lorraine L.
This place is always busy. Be prepared for a long wait. And I live a few blocks away so I always pass by this place and I always see patrons waiting outside, even in the cold! It's a small restaurant, hence its intimate setting. The food is great. This was my first Korean restaurant with 2 others who also had never ordered Korean. So it was kind of embarrassing because the waitress seemed like she was in a rush and we did not know what to order. She helped us choose so that was nice. We also brought our own beers so it's a BYOB. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You'll be happily surprised!
(4)Denisse M.
This place is the worst!!! This place is so dirty, the waitress are not nice at all. They need to cut down on their attitude, and learn costumer service. The portions are so small, and not good at all. I had high expectations for this place, but I was completely disappointed. Clean this place up geeez so dirty, fix the tables they look like they're going to fall apart any minute. Teach the waitress how to be nice. The place it's too small it felt like I was trapped in a shoe box. Never coming back here, there's other Korean restaurants that are way better.
(1)Joyce L.
Boy, Chicago. You really know how to welcome visitors with open arms... sike. I rarely use yelp to unload my rage, but my experience here was just so ridiculous that I feel like I need to document it somewhere.... Continue reading if you'd like to be entertained. This past weekend, I visited Chitown for my little sister's graduation. What was supposed to be a monumental moment and a joyous occasion turned into a disaster because of this place. We drove out 20-30 minutes out from Evanston and were greeted with a line out the door - that's fine, you're popular. I'll take it. My mom went in to put our name down, but the waitresses (all 3 of them SEPARATELY) told her: "We don't take names down. We know the order of who came first." We all thought, "oh, weird. I guess that's how they do in chicago." She told us 15 minutes so we waited outside patiently even though the wait turned out to be much longer than 15 minutes. I saw a minivan pull up and a large party of 11 began to wait outside with us. I saw the ladies of the group tagteaming and bugging the waitresses inside. I knew it was going to happen.... BUT I tried to give them benefit of the doubt. Thirty minutes later, it happened. The party of 11 got seated before us, a party of 7. My mom went in to tell the waitresses that we came first when one of the ladies in the party of 11 started pointing her finger in my mom's face (what a delight she was...) and yelling that they got there first. We looked to the waitress for backup and she said, "oh, we don't know the order. you guys should know who came first." oh HAIL NAH. Long story short, we threw a fit, showed them what hangry looked like and left. I'm so thankful for the one honest man in that party who spoke up and said, "No, I saw them waiting before we got here." The lady who was yelling at my mom immediately got quiet and had nothing to say. I don't doubt the food here is awesome. I was drooling watching people eat while I waited 30 minutes outside their front door, HOWEVER, let me be a diva for a sec... I don't tolerate this kind of service and at that moment, didn't think they deserved our business, which is why we left without eating. I don't think anyone NOR anyone's mom should be treated in this manner, but you do you booboo. You do you. PS. If you want 1 useful tip that I picked up while waiting there: parties of 4 or smaller get seated much faster because they have different seating areas for smaller groups. That's all I got for ya.
(1)Stephanie S.
I was craving Korean food and decided to give this place a try. There was a long line outside so I decided to see if it was worth the wait. We waited for approximately 45 minutes before we were told where to sit. The service here was a absolute mess. We asked to keep a menu and they bluntly told us "no" and took it out of our hands. When we ordered, they stopped us from ordering more (which may have been a good thing because we ended up with a lot of food). However, the servers were seemed very rushed and unfriendly. The food was pretty average compared to most places I've been. It is byob so that's definitely a plus, but honestly I don't think I would come by here again - with or without a wait time.
(3)Customer I.
Food is OK. Service, as others have noticed, not so good. I usually come here with my parents and service is fine (not GREAT), but tolerable. This time I went with my younger siblings and Grandma for lunch. Waitress was ridiculously rude from the moment we entered to the moment we left (pushing my siblings out of the way to get to the register, throwing our utensils at us, giving total attitude when my sister went to help my Grandma pay..) The waitress even had the audacity to "remind" us to tip at the end of it all. All of us left absolutely disgusted. We are NOT returning.
(1)Anne K.
I've been to my fair share of Korean restaurants in Chicago and have yet to find my go-to. I think I've been spoiled by all the yummy good Korean food in LA and Korea. Anyways, I've been here twice now but the first time was years ago. I was excited to try it again. When we got there it was packed! We had to wait awkwardly in the corner inside. Upon seating, we were not even given menus. They just assumed we knew what we wanted! We ended up ordering the chadol and dwenjang jigae. The jigae was just OK. My friend complained that it smelled bad. I think he thought that because It had some chungook dwenjang (smellier bean paste) in it. The chadol portion was generous and the quality of the beef was very very good. The side dishes were good as well. The service was pretty bad. The ahjoomas that work there look like they hate their work place. They can come off as a little rude. It wouldn't hurt to smile a little. If I am craving Korean BBQ, I might come back.
(3)Grace L.
Went there few weeks ago with a group of friends. Always heard about this place as traditional Korean BBQ place and finally got to check it out. The food is good, but if you do the bbq, better take care of ur clothes cuz it can get really smoky. The service was not as bad as some viewers said, but i can tell how busy they were and how very likely you might get ignored once a while. In general not too bad. One tip: we had a little trouble figuring our bills in the end, cuz they put everything together, so better remember the price u order next time just in case.
(3)Cathy K.
Way understaffed, service was terrible. Food was disappointing, I don't know why this place is rated so high. Small, and every time someone opened the door , it was freezing.
(2)Michael G.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant. the name says it all. This place is just OK. The service was OK, the food was OK, the price was very appropriate. This would be a fun place to go to as an event with friends, but not a great place when just reviewing the food. With what you just read, you may be asking yourself why I only gave this place two stars. Here goes: Two of my favorite items on a Korean menu are black bean noodles and Korean fried chicken. While it is OK that neither of these items were on the menu, it was not OK that the owners of the restaurant had ordered these two items from an outside restaurant to eat on their lunch break at the table next to me! If the Korean food at a Korean restaurant is not good enough for the people who own the place, why should people go and eat there?
(2)Ovi H.
Oh man, wait takes a while for large parties, but the thinly sliced beef brisket (Chadolbagi/Chadol baki/Cha Dol Bae Gi) was incredible. BYOB it from Bottles & Cans a block south and you're golden!
(5)Chi L.
We came here on a Friday night and we waited for over an hour for a table. I went to the bathroom twice during that time, and you have walk through the kitchen with the workers slicing away. I asked one guy working there how long he thought it would take and he just I don't know. It didn't seem like there were very worried about pleasing customers. When it was finally out turn for a table it was pretty exciting but the seating is kind of cramped. We sat next to the register and there wasn't much space for the staff to walk by even, so it was hard to relax there. And as others have mentioned, service is kind of lacking. The food overall was pretty good, but we were so hungry that we over ordered and over ate.
(3)Michelle K.
I used to love this place. Came here since 2002, back when I was young enough to get chocolate bars from the owner of the restaurant. When it comes to Korean food, I believe it's the best in the Midwest. But the past six months have been a nightmare. The last four times I visited with my family, I ended up leaving with a scowl on my face and regret for bringing them to a place that shows such little respect to their customers, especially the elderly. Ask for water before the meal? Don't expect to get it until after you pay the bill. Same goes for spoons, side dishes and bowls of rice. The only time they pay attention is when you ask for the check. Maybe our server was having a bad day. But all four times? I've waitressed at several Korean restaurants, so I know the workload is a little heavier than at other types of establishments, such as Japanese restaurants (which I've done as well). However, no matter how bad it got, I never acted out on customers. If you want good Korean food, but poor service and a long wait, this is the place.
(1)Lu Y.
LOVE this place for their authentic, cheap and quick Korean food! We had to wait for over an hour at 5:30 pm on a Saturday night, showing this place is really awesome. Note: the line is deceptively short. Ambience: Loud, BYOB, busy, great ambience for getting together with friends =) Service: Very quick and efficient. Despite how busy they look, they make the time to come over and cook the meat in your stone pot! Food: OMG amazing. Some of the best Korean food I've had in Chicago. Definitely order something for the stone pot - their specialty sauce is out of this world. Also, I'd suggest ordering the seafood pancake and bibimbap (which is not served in a stone bowl). Lovely kimchi. And at all costs, avoid their pan fried dumplings.
(4)Cannie W.
I have tried multiple Korean restaurants around the Chicago area and this one has really good food. The sides are good, the meat is tender and juicy and the seafood pancake was the one of the best I have ever had. We were lucky and came around 4:30 for a party of 4. There was no line at all and we got seated immediately. The waitresses were super fast and got us all of our food super fast. They weren't really friendly though because they have such a high volume and so much to do. They were going to cook us the fried rice at some point but we weren't eating fast enough so they chose not to. Just don't come expecting good service....now that I think about it, I wonder if good Korean restaurants in Korea are like this?
(3)M A.
Little run down,food authentic as can be.Tables in middle have cooking stove for preraration of dinner.Bul goki to die the sauce the sauce.Big portion of appetizers dumplings almost dinner .Tried the beef dumpling soup awesome. Feel stuffed.
(5)G L.
Believe me, I am a native Korean and the food here is not just great, it's authentic. I was really surprised when I first tasted its Korean Miso, soybean paste, one of the basic ingredient of Korean food. It is house-made, kept authentic flavor. I think the taste could be even better than some majority korean restaurants in Korea. The long waits (almost an hour!, sometimes more than an hour), loud and small spaces, and unpleasant service (maybe, more focus on just serving and cleaning) was definitely minus. However, the food itself compensates every inconvenience of this restaurants, we may had complaints while we were waiting and eating for those stuffs, but every visits were satisfied with its taste. If you want to experience the real korean food, this is a great place to try. However, you may need to be more progressive and be accustomed to korean way of restaurant serving. This may be painful, but the taste will compensate all and even you might be able to enjoy those as a culture experience.
(5)Kathy S.
I've been here a few times since my last review and although I'm still underwhelmed by the chadol, their kitchen food is delicious! My favorites are: Kimchi samgyupsal - have to get this everytime Bibim nangmyun - my favorite place for bibim Soondubu - pretty good for a place that doesn't specialize in soondubu.
(4)Jessie G.
! I haven't tasted food but I won't come here again causing their service and environment! If you want to have a good dinner with Korean food, there are so many choices in Korean Town.Maybe their food is delicious but the service really sucks!
(1)Mimi H.
The service was not as bad as everyone says. Honestly, that's just how it goes at Korean restaurants and often times just the culture. They want you in and out of there so the quicker you know what you want the better. We had the bibim neng myun and cha dol baegi. Absolutely delicious. Lots of variety in the ban chan (side dishes). Kimchi fries rice in the end to close out the delicious meal.
(5)Wayne H.
My girlfriend and I come here quite often. It is definitely a long wait during its busier times and getting a water refill or your check at the end of the night is like digging for gold. Despite the notoriously bad service, the food is worth it. They have the best Doenjang Jjigae (spicy tofu soup) in the city. They also give you a great amount of fresh pan chan (small dishes with your rice). The Kimchi Samgyeopsal (pan stir fried pork with kimchi) is another one of my favorite dishes here. Not only is the food great, but you also can't beat the price. This is a great option for a delicious, cheap meal, when dining out. But be warned, if you don't have the patience for the bad service it will ruin your night.
(4)K K.
In a word...delicious! The banchan were plentiful and tasty. The spice marinated pork was off the charts. The self-cook beef could be improved but I take ownership of that one. I loved the rice. Definitely coming back...
(5)Lex B.
I've lived in Chicago for seven years now, and been to Cho Sun Ok way more than I would like to admit. I've had my share of good and bad experiences there. I speak Korean, so I think it's alittle easier for me but DON'T GO FOR NICE SERVICE. I wanted to write about my last time I was there because it was such terrible service. We got the Korean pancake and it was soggy. We got the yeuk ge jang and that was okay. But the worst part is the meat. We wanted to get the K-BBQ experience and cook it at our table. We also ordered the meat where they make your kimchee rice at the end, but could not find anyone to come make rice for us. I finally was able to find someone who came over (with a lot of attitude), and they threw the ingredients in and walked off without actually giving us rice. So the kimchee juices were non-existent (and extremely burnt) by the time they came back with the rice. Our rice tasted extremely burnt. And then we couldn't flag down anyone to turn off the fire (we were sitting at one with the burner attached to the table), so we were sweating. We finally just had to figure it out ourselves because there were no waitresses in sight. Also, as a feminist, it sucks to watch the man sitting while watching Korean shows and barking out orders while the women run around like crazy. I grew up in a Korean household, so I get it...but it just doesn't seem right, especially since they are usually extremely under staffed. I took some friends who had been wanting to try out Cho Sun Ok for a long time, and I was straight up embarrased that I took them. I don't think I will ever be able to go back again. In other news, if you do want some good Korean food with nice service, check out Ban Po Chung!!
(1)Fumie K.
Don't even look at the menu and order the 'chadolbaegi' (beef brisket). This is what they are known for! ...and I must say--hands down the best in Chicago. 2 servings of meat is perfect for two people as it comes with a lot of side dishes. The server will also make you fried rice at the end, which is always my favorite part of the meal. DELICIOUS!
(5)Jennie C.
Typical hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant with authentic food. Both the kimchi pork and japchae were excellent. Generous spread of banchans as well. This has always been one of my faves for Korean bbq in the city.
(4)Holly C.
Stars are for the food only - get the Cha Dol Gui, no questions asked. I'm sure other items are good, but this is my favorite. At the end, you'll get a kimchi fried rice type made in front of you. There are a good amount of side dishes, and the place isn't as smoky as regular KBBQ places because they use stone pot over a stove top instead of traditional open type grill. Of course they are friendlier towards Koreans, that's just how the culture is I guess. I did notice a lot of non Asian patrons, so I think everyone has accepted this fact and just go there because the food is amazing and cheap KBBQ. If you're ok with unfriendly service and great Korean food, this is the place to go. There are however a lot of options in the area for Korean food though. Chicago is pretty well known for it.
(5)Phillip L.
First off, this review is biased. I been thru this place since before my nuts dropped. And it still looks and feels the same. Food and the owners are still there. Old dude with the Hawaiian shirt and that tiny ass figaro chain watching TV while sippin on Crown. That wash station u gotta jump thru to get to the toilet. The busted ass parking lot u gotta fight for out back on Sundays. What's different is there's white folks dining here now. On they own accord. Back then when we saw white folks there, they were with some Koreans and the gossip on the table was they probably someone they owe money too or they doing business. But now, esp with the golden age of Korean food on the American food stage, they there to try out some new shit! Big ups yourselves white folks! I imagine they experience here is akin to how our immigrant parents was intimidated and intrigued by the food when they first landed in the states way back when. So I guess it's nice to see a full circle come around where the act of assimilation, at least with food, has now shifted. Cha Dol is all I do there now. And rolling with 4 empty stomachs is required to really enjoy this meal.
(5)Hannah H.
This is one of the better Korean BBQ places that you can go to - the place can get pretty jam-packed and there is usually a wait. We usually get the chandolbaegi, as that is the quickest one to cook (thinly sliced beef); their banchans are pretty decent, and the older guy who's the owner who walks around in his doctor's coat is pretty funny. The leftover banchans and the rice goes into the grill to make a spicy crispy rice dish to pig out some more. +crispy rice at the end with leftover banchans
(3)Papa M.
Like most Korean restaurants in Chi-town, horrible service. The servers seemed very tired. No smiles. They rarely made eye contact. I think they didn't to avoid having to provide customer requests. Had to ask 3 different servers to finally get some water refilled. Had to ask several times to get some rice. Our table still had about a 1/3 of the beef left on the plate to cook, but the server brought the sauces and ingredients to cook the spicy fried rice.
(2)Mark H.
"If it ain't broke don't fix it!" An old yellow exterior signage hangs over the entrance door. As you enter you can't help but to notice the 1970s wood panel surrounds which covers the interior walls. I can see a natural trepidation for initial foodies, based on these simple observations, to consider this restaurant. With that said, however, where the owner failed in upkeep, he has done one thing right...they serve the freshest meat or "chadol" and the tastiest side dishes. The customary fried rice ending is a nice topper to a great meal. You leave on a full stomach and wonder how they stay open at those ridiculously low prices. Expect a minimum hour long wait though on weekends. This is a constant and no exaggeration. The byob helps the wait time go by quicker. The staff always appear shorthanded so you need to get aggressive in requesting your needs. This attitude will not be offensively received but just a way to keep your food and drink coming throughout the course of the meal. If you've never tried Korean BBQ this is a great starter place to check out.
(5)Alessandra F.
Terrible experience. The place was hot as hell, we had to rush through dinner, waitresses bumping into me throughout dinner, they refused to replenish the meager side dishes, and the food was just standard. There are so many better korean places in the suburbs such as Shabu House and Amitabul.
(1)Katherine Y.
Bad service!!! We first time come here and there so busy, it's fine, we wait then when we sit down, the lady just throw us the Manu and no one take care us, when we order the beef to bbq, no one service us, no any side dish if we didn't ask, I was wait for the final rice when we finish the beef ,because my friend told me that taste so good and that's why I wanna try to eat here, but no one come here , we trying to ask the lady, when she come she just take the stone pan out and throw us the bill, but we didn't ask check out, then they all guys go service the other table after we came, that's so rude and so horrible service!! It feels like I can't pay the bill if I keep order food so they give us the check??!! But I still pay more then 20%tip. If just eat the stone pan slice beef I can homemade myself why I still waste my money and get that attitude??! I won't eat here anymore , so so so disappointed!!!!
(1)Megan H.
Absolutely love the food here! Just be warned, it is a very small restaurant, and they do not take reservations, so if you are daring to attempt dinner on a weekend, be prepared to wait. And wait. And wait.... but the food is fantastic. I wish I could give a more helpful description of what we order, but the beef short ribs and the un-marinated beef bbq option are our regular picks, and they're both amazing.
(5)Hannah C.
If you can get past the wait and the really, I mean REALLY REALLY pushy service, you are in for an absolute treat. This place has the curb appeal of a homeless shelter, but once inside, it's a feast for the senses. This locals spot delivers authentic Korean food at very reasonable prices. Here's how it works: you arrive and your waitress will hand you a menu and point you to a table and before your fanny hits vinyl chair she wants your order. At that point tell her you want the Korean Pancake and then tell her to go away. It's ok, she won't be insulted. You just bought yourself 90 seconds to decide what your table is ordering. She'll return with about 20 small bowls, all things pickled and kimchi, fire up your stone pot. Here's a tip. Eat your kimchi but don't mess with anything else. Order Your meat of choice, wait 10 seconds, she'll be back and throw a couple of pieces in the pot and you're on your way. At that point feel free to cook up the garlic, potatoes, whatevs along with your meats. When you are done and so so happy, she'll come back and throw kimchi in the pot and make kimchi fried rice. It's perfect. You can die happy now. Oh! And it's BYOB.
(5)sum l.
Me and my family went in about 5pm for dinner this Easter Sunday, not surprise that it was very busy... Like crazy! We came in and wait for about 10 minutes, we got a table and we start ordered dumpling, korean pancake, bulgogi and galbi. Everything was amazing. And service was good. Great experience !
(5)Michael S.
First off, I always leave my jacket in the car when I eat here because the enclosed space will naturally leave you smelling like a mixed bag of cooked meats. Second, the wait times can get long due to the fact that a) there is limited seating and b) tables are not getting turned over fast enough. There are usually 2 servers who pretty much race around to serve the entire restaurant. Therefore, the service can be spotty at times, but they try their best to work efficiently. Part of that means trying to turn tables over quickly (feeling rushed?), so that wait times can be shortened. With that being said, it's best to have your order ready when the server comes around. They are not really looking to answer all your questions about the various items on the menu, so be aware. Without question, the go to item here is the Chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket). The minimum order is 2 servings, so I would recommend ordering based on the number of people (ie. 3 people = 3 servings). The Chadolbaegi and accompanying side dishes are about the best that you can get in Chicago and that is why patrons are willing to wait. The meat does cook fairly quickly on the stone skillet, so you'll want to monitor as you're enjoying your meal. Once cooked, the meat is dripping with goodness and I usually dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper sauce that is provided and eat alongside the marinated green onions. As you near the home stretch of meat cooking, the server will come and dump a bowl of rice and kimchi to make a fried rice that will top off your meal. I like to save some pieces of meat to add back into the fried rice. At this point, I'm fully satisfied and my stomach is about to explode! Oh yes, don't forget, it is BYOB, which means less time spent trying to track down the server for a water refill! Overall, since GOOD Korean food is hard to come by in the Chicago area, when you find a spot like Cho Sun Ok, you figure out a way to eat there. Even if it means standing out in the cold!
(5)Amy D.
Bottom line: Good find with delicious variety. KBBQ with a happy ending! Time: Dinner on a Monday night. Made it just in time before the dinner rush Service: Neglected. - What service? Granted it was during the dinner rush, but that shouldn't be an excuse. - Would ask repeatedly for things. Was faster on getting the bill than anything else. - My rating is definitely for the food ONLY. Food: Delish! - Either I was really hungry or the little dishes were amazing! Big fan of their seaweed and cucumber dish. Very refreshing! We were munching on that while we waited for our ChaDol-Gui and SoonDuBu JjiGae. - Plenty of meat for that price! Quite reasonable. The soup was good in terms of flavor, but I definitely have had better. Didn't have a lot of seafood as other Korean restaurants I have been to. - Love how they utilize the remaining side dishes to make kimchi fried rice! Great way to end the meal. My type of happy ending! Although the place doesn't look that welcoming at first, this place is a definite treasure. Been driving by this place for years and finally I walked in! I am glad I came across it and gave it a shot. The ONLY flaw about this place is honestly the service. Only wished the service was better especially if I am a paying customer.
(4)Richard P.
I am a fan of this place if you can get out of the waiting period. I highly recommend going in during off times like the many other reviews say on here. I went a little bit early but still found myself waiting about 30-45minutes. The waiting area inside the restaurant is also pretty small so a lot of people will be waiting outside which is terrible when it's cold out so at all cost try to avoid it!!! But finally once I got inside, the restaurant seemed like a nice cozy, Korean restaurant. The place has good meats for an extremely affordable price. They're known for the chadol (Thin sliced beef) and it was really good! I also tried the kalbi which is my favorite korean bbq but also one of the pricier ones. They cook it for you and bring it out all prepared which was nice but it was a bit disappointing/salty. However, we (4 people) ordered a ton of chadol, kalbi, and two orders of naengmyun for 80$ (AND almost forgot you get a giant pot of fried rice at the end)!!!! What an amazing price for a Korean BBQ spot! This place is also BYOB so it is a great spot to come with a small group of friends. Yes the service isn't that great and the wait might be long, but it is a cheap and tasty place!
(4)Yuri H.
Best Korean restaurant I've been to in the Chicago area. The wait was very long, but darn, the food was gooood. We got there around 12:30 p.m., and we got seated around 2 p.m. We had dwenjangjjigae, gun mandu and chadolbaegi (meat). The service isn't great, but don't let it stress you out. The food will make up for it!!!
(4)Albert K.
No reservations and Very busy. People have to wait in line outside the door. Very small restaurant not enough space. There is a small bathroom is in the back next to the kitchen. Very unorganized waitresses hard to get their attention. Feels like being ignored. It seems like they try to rush you out for the next customers. The waitresses seem like they are under a lot of stress. It's hard to see them smile. Byob you can buy liquor at Jewel down the block. The Food is good and delicious.
(4)Shing Yiing O.
I was visiting Chicago again for a seminar.. So I requested for something decent.. I guess living in NYC where so many great restaurants are easily "accessible".. Chicago CTA is not as great as NYC MTA.. but oh well.. I am thankful that my friend has a car.. So we all drove to Cho Sun Ok.. My friend claims that they have better korean bbq as compare to K town.. I actually I do agree.. I have never been to flushing for korean food so I don't know.. We met a girl that used to live in NYC and she said that Cho Sun Ok is definitely better.. So after waiting for almost an hour on a Friday night.. we finally got a table.. Reason why I love Cho Sun Ok: - great bbq - CHEAP!! some prime beef cost only 25 dollars.. WOW!! And it was HUGE!!! If you come in party of 2.. I guess you can only order 1 portion.. because i bet they serve 2 pounds of meat.. - Big portion as mention BYOB So we ordered - some beef for bbq - bulgogi - seafood pancake - kimchi tofu stew There was a lot of side dishes.. so it was just perfect.. after our meal.. they threw all the left over onions, garlic and kimchi on the grill with rice.. and added some spicy sauce.. it kinda tasted like kimchi fried rice.. and bimbimbop.. well.. the burnt of the rice was great.. lol.. I guess you don't come here for the service.. they don't take down your name.. You have to stand in line and as soon as you reach in front.. they will ask how many parties you have.. The max capacity in this restaurant is 50.. which is big compare to NYC.. but it is pretty small in chicago.. I prefer they have a system where you write your name down instead of standing in the line.. and the place is pack and you can barely stand anywhere.. in the summer, at least is warm.. but it was below freezing in the city of wind..
(4)Mark C.
Sara and I get urges for Korean food on a reasonably regular basis. To get our fix, we usually head to one of two places - the first, is "pick your standard" Korean restaurant out in the burbs. Sure, some are better than others, but there's a number of solid options out in the NW suburbs - Woo Rae Ok, Woori Village, Jigul Jigul, to name a few. In the city, there's also a number of good options - San Soo Gap San is the obvious choice, Gogi has been getting some recent praise since it opened, Great Seas fills a nice niche, but for us, Cho Sun Ok remains the go-to Korean restaurant for us. Logistically, it can be a bit tough - it's a small room, BYOB, and no reservations, so during busy times, you can expect to wait. But once your'e seated, expect a treat. Thankfully, we went on the early side of a Saturday evening and got seated right away. And ordered what we order there about 90% of the time - Haemul Pajun to start, and the Chadol Gui. The Pajeon, a seafood pancake, is always a nice start to the meal - crisply cooked with a good mix of scallion and seafood, mostly pieces of squid. Then comes the meat fest - ordered the Chadol Gui - deli-sliced brisket, so thin that a few seconds grilled on the stone pot is all you need. The order for two is a huge amount for two people, and a solid amount for 3 or 4. The panchan is a good variety and all fresh with two types of kimchi. The shaved scallions are a nice touch as well. The best part of Cho Sun Ok - once you're done with the meat, the pot gets cleared, and they swing up a nice plate of kimchi fried rice, the perfect end to a meal that hits the spot. Pics and more up at: eatinginchicago2014.word…
(5)Christopher N.
If you love the hospitality of a racist dying llama with the flavors of traditional Korea BBQ, I definitely recommend this place for you, your family, and possibly your neighbor's wife (doesn't matter who your hungry little heart desires to bring). It took 17 minutes for the staff to acknowledge my family's existence. This annoyed me to extreme amounts and had me starting my meal hangry (for those less savvy, hangry = hungry + angry) :) When we finally got seated, I was greeted by a friendly grease puddle that I unfortunately placed my arm in and I found I chose the chair with gum or glue-like substance on it. I think I had about 20 seconds to look at the menu before I was approached and asked what I would like to eat. So I had my family order as to not having a chance to look at the menu. ******fast forward to when the food comes out 5 minutes later (wow, omg, that's fast service!!!)******* They cook for you, mix up the food, and even distribute it amongst the group evenly. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they even wiped your own sweat and tears for you. Sounds great right? Wrong. It's horrible. Apparently, if you seem remotely anything other than Korean they do everything for you. They cook massive amounts of meat for you, choose the speed in which you would like to eat, and even decide what you feel like eating and whether or not you have a preference of spice, salt or even over indulging in the same taste until it's gone. During the whole meal I looked around and every full Korean table was cooking themselves at their own pace. Amazing!!! Now that I've said "a little" about the service on to the food! We ordered the bulgogi for two and octopus with vegetables for two since there were four of us. Ban chan was good and filled with variety. Just a tad spread out on the table so I tasted maybe 75% of them. Round 1: Bulgolgi was decent. Not sure if the massive quantity being cooked at a hare's pace did it for me or not. Round 2: Octopus was delicious and maybe a tad salty in the sauce, but a treat to eat especially when they threw in noodles. Round 3: Rice and spicier kimchi is finally thrown in to soak up all the remnants of flavor and sauce left behind after cooking the meat and octopus. I was nearing full at this point and felt that the rice had a kick but overall a bland for my taste. Overall, I would never come back. I left feeling very disappointed after craving the opportunity to eat Korean style BBQ for over a year. In all honestly, I feel a dining experience starts from the moment you enter the door to the moment you leave. I would have given this restaurant 0 stars due to my experiences. Fortunately, I gave this place a star for at least having some food that I can say was good.
(1)Oliver W.
Very tasty Korean BBQ! Don't expect much in terms of service (my friend even called the wait staff rude). But I guess that's a thing because they seem to make a point of being as terse and direct as possible. Anyways the BBQ was delicious! Super greasy but tasted amazing. And the pickles were also very good, not just thrown out there for conspicuous consumption.
(4)Julie Y.
Always came here with my family growing up. I don't know why the categories says chicken wings because that's defiantly not correct. It's byob and small inside so on a busy night you will have to wait outside for a bit but it is worth it. The seafood and meat is great, they bring it out uncooked and you cook it yourself. Always good n fresh. At the end ask them to make you bibimbap, put all the ingredients in the bowl (leftovers) mix it up and take it home. Come hungry a lot of food is served!
(4)Ngoc N.
This is one of my favorite korean bbq places to go too. The ahjumahs are mean but nicer than at other places. I love how when I first went there I looked super confused and they basically came over to cook everything for me. I like how its cooked instead of a grill, it gives it a different experience. The banchans are limited but the ones you do get are well made! My favorite part is the kimchi rice at the end made used by all the leftovers from the meal. I unfortunately am never hungry enough to eat the rice right away. My favorite is the cold noodles from this place! The portion is huge and the seasoning is the best I've had in the city. The reason why I can't give this place 5 stars is because the wait can be god-awful long. Plan accordingly or make sure you have comfortable shoes!
(4)Stephen B.
Great visit to this restaurant today. Ordered the dumpling soup and BiBimBop and when it arrived I thought I'd ordered way too much food! Maybe I did, but it was all delicious so I finished it anyway.
(5)Christina Q.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Tuesday night so it wasn't quite busy like the other reviewers. We got sat down quickly and felt a nice korean ambiance from the restaurant. One big complaint I had was the service. Obviously, the language barrier was huge and muddled. It was hard to communicate, and we expected it to be like this because of past experiences with authentic korean bbq. Servers were kind of rude, seemed like if you weren't korean, they weren't as attentive. However, the food was delicious in spite of the service. We got the kimchi tofu soup with seafood because of the cold weather. It was savory with soft tofu in the spicy broth. There was a lack of seafood though, but the broth made up for the 'seafood' aspect of this dish. We chose the thin meat slices versus the other options. The meat was definitely a good portion for two. The servers cook for you so that was definitely a good experience. As well, they teach you how to pair up the banchans with your meat. It was succulent and delicious. And at the end, they made us some kimchi fried rice which was unexpected. The crispy rice from the bottom with sizzling vegetables and left over meat. Yum! It was definitely better than I expected. If you have a grim about service, this is not a place I woulf recommend. However, if you're up for some pretty good food and a new experience then definitely give it a try!
(4)Karol N.
Delicious food, reasonable prices, and byob. I will definitely go back but only with someone who speaks Korean. The folks complaining about service have never been to Asia, or any authentic Asian restaurant in the U.S. at all. You come here for the food, not the service. If you don't like it, go to P.F. Chang's or Pei Wei.
(5)Fish Y.
Great place for korean food, but the customer service....
(4)Kelly P.
I love this place but I give only 4 stars because the service. The food is very fantastic but the service is suck. I wait for my Coke 30 min.
(4)Michael O.
This place is a real gem! It is the best Korean I have ever have. The service may not be the best and the place is tiny but I have to say the food more than outweighs it!!!! I understand the complains about long waits and the service. I would say about the service situation that this is a cultural thing so minimize it and focus on the food. Regarding space, the actual place is small so you have to go on strategic hours: I find that 6:00pm is generally speaking pretty good time. Alternatively take it to go! Now, the important point here: regarding the food everything is fantastic here. The staples (Bulgogi, Bibimbap, JapChae) are incredibly good but I would say be adventurous as every single dish is delicate, prepare with fresh ingredients, and served in a very traditional appealing way. If you are specifically coming for the Bulgogi you are going to have one of the bests and if I can make a suggestion try the ChaDol-Gui for a change. You will be surprised how amazingly good this dish is!!!! One more thing, this place is BYOB! Great plus! You can really get an amazing dinner for 2 for less than $50 with a pretty good bottle of wine from home!
(5)Samantha M.
This is my favorite Korean family restaurant in Chicago. I take my parents here every single time they come, and they love it (they live in New York so this is saying something)! The way they serve meat here is very authentic, and according to my dad, it's how he used to eat meat in college when he was in Korea. You order KBBQ and after you're done eating, they'll fry rice for you using the same pan with all the side dishes thrown in. Additionally, the KBBQ here is on the cheaper side at around $25 for two servings! This definitely isn't a place where you'd want to have a date at--the restaurant is pretty cramped, crowded, and it's always busy, so you'll either have to yell a lot to get service or wait. But it's a really fun place to go with your family or with a group of friends. Note: if you go during prime dinner hours, you'll have to wait a bit because the restaurant is fairly small. If I had easy access to a car, I'd definitely come here much more frequently than I do now.
(5)Angela M.
We went on Labor Day around 8 pm and got seated right away since a table had just opened up. The service was better than I was told it would be. Maybe that's because it was a slower evening. I actually felt fine with the service. I'm not big on being schmoozed and excessively pampered. We came for the food anyway. And the food is not only excellent. It's also very generous. I mean, the little bowls of sides are small. But overall, the amount of food could feed a family of four for two meals. Really. There is a lot of food. I feel excited to bring my husband and family here.
(4)Michelle Z.
The food is all right, but the service is soooooo bad!!!! They totally ignored me when I ask them for extra bowl to share my soup. Idk if they didn't understand me or what, but I would never go back!
(1)Kay O.
The bibimbap they make after you're done grilling all your meat (certain dishes only) is fantastic and really just the cherry on top of a great meal. Be warned though, the wait is pretty long. The smaller your party, the faster you'll get seated.
(5)Ibrahim J.
Summary: great food! I ordered the tripe BBQ (it said "house specialty on the menu, so why not?) and the waitress kindly tried to encourage me to get the bulgogi instead-- I'm obviously not Korean so I understand why she tried to dissuade me...Only after pointing to her stomach and making sure that I was aware, did she accept my order It was chewy as expected, but If they can make tripe that pleasant, then I must get the "proper" beef next time. The waitress kept coming around to snip the meat and make sure the bbq was functioning. The best part came at the end when the now- empty stone cooking surface was filled with a mixture of kimchi, rice, and butter to make a wonderful kimchi fried rice, complete with all the deliciously browned juices from the meat. Side dish quality is a good indication of what you will get at these places-- and in this case, they were great. At lesser places, you can tell that they've been sitting out for a while, but not here. I went alone, but as with most "hands on" KBBQ places the setting is great for family groups or dates.
(4)Bethany A.
I revisited with my boyfriend when he came to visit me in Chicago, and it's still just a 4-star place. The food is on point, but they seriously should consider enlarging the restaurant because during dinnertime, a line builds up around the entrance and it's not pleasant for the diners eating their food near the door nor the people waiting for a table. I mean, there's always the option of standing outside... but in Chicago, that's not really a real option.
(4)John L.
Review really only deserve 4 stars since service was lousy, buuuuut the food is insanely good! I've heard the wait can be 2 hours on weekends but this place does Korean right! Only homemade Korean is better than this place, and it's still a close second! They kind of go cheap on the banchan but it's probably because it's so delicious! That made no sense but it is what it is!
(5)Will C.
So last night for dinner, we finally came to try out Cho Sun Ok after the many raves from friends and from Yelp reviews. And it is true that the food is absolutely delicious and the service is lacking. If you are a very passive person, you will starve. You need to be assertive and aggressive if you want to get the staffs' attention. That is typical if you are a frequent Asian fare eater. So we came in with group of 4 on a Saturday evening. Arrived at 6pm, got seated at 6:45pm. I've heard where the average wait time varies b/t 40 mins to 2 hours. We also had no koreans in our group nor anyone that spoke it. We ordered the #1 Cha dol bae gi, #4 Bulgogi, and the #5 (beef and octopus, forgot the name lol). All were very delicious. The group loved the Bulgogi; I loved the Cha dol bae gi. The service......was shockingly not that bad; I only had to smack the waitress the menu once to get her attention haha. We actually had 5 refills for the group of the 5 times we requested it. One of which they came by and asked if we needed water. MIND BLOWN.....haha. Bathroom, not going to lie; pretty nasty. Its through the kitchen but I've seen worse. So this first experience was very good and even the worse not terrible, but I do know how these types of restaurants are where the waitresses have been trained not to make eye contact haha. The food was definitely 5 stars. Very good cuts of meat. Wait time was a 2. Service 3.5 to 4. We will come back again for sure.
(4)Tim B.
This restaurant serves some of the best Korean food I have ever tasted. Every dish was mouth watering and delicious. Unfortunately, the service here was absolutely sub par. We received little to no acknowledgement after we ordered. Our server would not talk to us at all. She never brought us plates or glasses of water after requesting them several times. We were the only table that had not received these essentials and many of the tables had been seated after us.
(2)Sarah B.
The food here was incredible- all the condiments/side dishes they bring out to accompany your order, the fried dumplings, the short ribs (holy freaking delicious) and the octopus/steak tabletop order were all very tasty. BYOB is always a plus too! The only slight downside to this place is that we really had no idea how or what to order (both in terms of items and quantity) and looked to the waitress for recommendations and explanation of the menu, and she did not help us. However, what we picked off the menu ended up being delicious, and I would certainly recommend this place to others!
(4)Patty C.
Good and consistent authentic Korean food. I come here quite often. Service is okay, but servers speak very little English. Also, you will smell like this place afterwards, so be prepared.
(4)Benjamin B.
The food is good, however the ambiance is a little rough for a date night. It was a bit noisy with the small space, the staff cleaning tables make a lot of racket tossing dishes into a bin, and my chair and arm were repeatedly bumped into by the staff as they walked by. Overall, our waitress' attitude felt a little cold. Didn't want to make eye contact so it made it difficult to get her attention when we needed something. Overall, we won't go back as a date spot, but in a group setting it might be fun.
(3)Marc A.
Not able to write anything that hasn't been said. Just what a great cramped, overcrowded, limited english, super tasty and friendly place to eat. No it isn't romantic...people are crammed in like a NYC subway. Yes it is loud....mostly from orgasmic taste bud explosions. Waitress did not speak really.....but if I wanted hand and foot I'd go to Les Nomades. She was however extremely efficient. 4 people enourmous servings = 62$ with tip. Parking can be a pain.
(5)Jake M.
This place is ridiculously good. Went for lunch with a couple of coworkers and the place was already filling up around 1145. We had the bul go gi, some bee bim bop and a cold noodle soup that i'm not even going to try to spell. Everything was awesome. Service was fast and not super friendly. None of us are Korean (Guatamalan, Persian and Irish) and while the waitress definitely didn't make small talk, she got the job done and did it quickly. An awesome, super flavorful lunch set us back about $10 a person. I can't wait to eat here again.
(5)Elina S.
Okay, Cho Sun Ok, you were kind of a zoo. I've wanted to go to an authentic Korean bbq place for a while since I've recently become a bigger fan of Korean food in general, but unfortunately this place did not leave me longing for more. I came here with my husband and my two friends on a Sunday around 4:30pm and it's good that we did since there was only like 3 tables left and the place is tiny, and a half an hour later it was completely full. What annoyed us is that even though there were 3 tables left, we were sat at the smallest one and when we asked to be moved to a bigger table just because we felt a tad cramped, the lady told me " nope, that's an 8 person table." If she meant 8 midgets, fine. I guess I was just going to let that slide. Then when it came to ordering we got the dumplings as an appetizer and they were nothing special nor flavorful so I would skip those. Then they have these cooking packages for $25 and we wanted to get two of the bulgogi since we're a fan of bulgogi and there were 4 of us. I asked if they can put that rice on top as I read about in many of the reviews. She flat out said, nope, it doesn't come with rice and made us order another dish that apparantly comes with rice. I mean, after having both the bulgogi and the other fatty meat that she advised us on, I don't see why they couldn't have just given us the rice with bulgogi and bulgogi alone. Oh well, we were given all the little dishes that were decent in taste. Then that other meat came up that was super fatty which my husband hates and it didn't have that much flavor, it needed salt and sweetness or spiciness, just everything. We didn't like it at all. Afterwards, came the bulgogi which was tasty but we would have liked more of it since we liked the sweetness of the meat, but apparently we couldn't have had rice with it even though the rice was given right after the bulgogi. So if I ever come to this crazy busy, they will not refill your water for a while establishment, I will ONLY order the bulgogi and make them put some rice on top with the kimchi and all the other fillings even if I have to pay extra for it. I just don't like when someone forces you to order another type of meat just for the rice, it didn't make sense. Overall, it was super hot in there, super congested, the place is tiny, they are not super friendly at all and the food was alright. I guess I will just stick to Korean food served as a meal and not where you cook it by yourself. Oh and after everything the kimchi fried rice was just okay, too much sour flavor to it in my opinion.
(2)Erin P.
Be prepared to wait in line for dinner. We waited close to two hours for dinner with a party of 5 on a Saturday night. However, once we we seated we had a great experience. While the servers were busy, they took the time to show us the correct way to eat our meat with the proper condiments. We also loved the short ribs, chive pancake, kimchee fried rice and all the little bowls of fun snacks!
(4)Tony S.
Great korean food for the price! $25 for bbq for 2 people, more than enough to fill you up
(5)Bruno V.
The food is amazing which why everytime you go you have to wait. Bring a book. Lol The service can appear to be quite unfriendly. Just know what you want to order and be quick. Eat and get out!! There are always people waiting for your table!
(4)Dave L.
My wife and I were visiting Chicago for a week. Every place we visit we try and look for Korean food cause obviously we love Korean food and plus we're Koreans. We were told of this place by one of our friends. She said that it's the best in the area. So we already had high expectations before even stepping in the front door. We got there around 7:30 on a weeknight. And it was packed! Good thing it was only two of us so we were able to skip the entire line and sit at the only table available which happened to be a two-person table. There were three groups ahead of us and were waiting for a bigger table. There isn't a hostess to get ur names and out u on a waiting list. It's just first come first seating I guess. Right before we sat down at our table there was an argument about who was here first between two other groups and it got a lil heated. So I docked 1 star because of possible issues like this at this place. My wife ordered the duk mandoo gook and I ordered bibim naeng myun and kalbi. The banchan (side dishes) came out first. And plenty of it came out. And it was so good. 100x better than the Korean restaurant we went to in Ann Arbor (see my other reviews). We finished a few side dishes and complimented (in Korean) how delish they were. And the lady brought out more for us very quickly. Our entrees came out fairly quickly and they were all good. Kalbi was awesome. I've read some reviews saying the service is subpar. But I didn't feel like it was. It's not a 4 or 5 star restaurant with a hostess and a crew of waiters and waitresses. It's a small Korean restaurant and a few ppl as a wait staff. And with that in mind, we were served pretty well. This place does get real crowded. I can't imagine what it'd be like on weekends. But I would recommend this place as the food, from the banchan to the entrees, it was real good.
(4)Michelle K.
The line wasn't out the door today so we decided to wait. We were seated relatively quickly and ordered the deungshim as well as the galbi. The deungshim we cooked ourselves and the galbi came precooked. The galbi was pretty delicious--well marinated though a teeeeeeeeeny bit too sweet. The deungshim was okay--it came to the table frozen as meat at some Korean places come. The meat was okay. I was actually SO hungry and ate a lot of the banchan (side dishes) that came out though I normally refrain from eating them at most Korean places because they're usually not great. Aside from the seaweed and potato dishes, the rest of the side dishes were pretty unremarkable. That being said, the fried rice they make at the end uses the kimchi and other spicy side dishes in addition to the things they bring. This was something we were looking forward to but something was missing about it. Maybe the egg or cheese or even sesame seed oil or red pepper paste. Or all of the above. We added our own sesame oil from the dishes they gave us to dip the meat in and it was fine but nothing that I would want to pay for again or go out of my way to eat. Lastly, we ordered the mool naengmyun and the bean paste stew. The bean paste stew was definitely not what we expected and was WAY too salty. The naengmyun, however, was pretty good! The service was atrocious at best--the waitresses use their hands to put the ice in their cups (we sat next to their working station and I watched as they did this) and were not very attentive to us or most of the other tables. You're busy, we get it but there are 5 of you for 12 tables. We had to ask for things multiple times and were often treated rudely which I guess is pretty customary for a Korean restaurant. Honestly, I don't understand what all the hype is about and would give this pace a 2.5. I would definitely not wait again for this place!
(2)Shaynee S.
Nothing speaks my language better thank kimchee and hot and sour soup! Cho Sun OK Restaurant is authentic as can be and met my Korean food craving that was long overdue. Here's the thing about attending a GOOD Korean restaurant. 1) Don't expect grade A service because that's not why you go. It is expected to have your server to be a tiny, aggressive, straight to the point woman who is here to pump out a plethora of dank pickled goodness and get the hot plate going. If you're looking for a smile and an in depth explanation of how a dish taste.... than you have no business being there. 2) Go in knowing that you will be crammed in like sardines and probably sitting so close to your neighbors that you have no choice but to listen to their banter because that's how good the food is here and everyone wants to eat here. 3) NO YOUR NUMBERS. Majority of the time no one knows the name of the deliciousness presented on the menu and the server never expects you to. Just know the number of the dish you want and they'll make it happen. They key is to be efficient as possible in the ordering process.... don't waste their time trying to pronounce dish items because you want to seem cultured and PC. 4) Don't lounge. Get in, eat, and get out. As much as you want to sit down and converse.... there's an entire line out the door giving you the stink eye because you decide to take a breath in between bites 5) Don't complain about the wait. It wouldn't be good if there wasn't any wait. Now that we got the ground rules out of the way, let's talk food! Boiled and fried dumplings... delicious.... but there dumplings so you can't go wrong BBQ pork: spicy, tasty, addicting Bulgogi: tender, flavorful, juicy Hot and sour tofu soup with seafood: you could tell that they either make their own tofu or they get a high quality brand because the creaminess and texture s not one to be bought in stores. Broth was excellent and the seafood portion was spot on. Vermicelli noodles with seafood: fantastic! Knowing that this gem of a place is walking distance from my abode gives me reassurance that I will make it through life here in Chicago and now I have a spot that can adequately suffice my crazy Asian cravings whenever they act up. Thanks Cho Sun OK for the comfort blanket;)
(5)Cindy L.
This restaurant offers one of a kind experience. Yes the food is alright but the waitresses are so rude. Me and my boyfriend went there, waited in line and when it was our turn the hostess simply skipped my boyfriend and asked the couple behind us. It's hard not to think the hostess skipped him because of his skin color. Then we had to remind her we were in front of the couple. Then she sat is down and the waitress who took our order kept telling us the orders we wanted to take were too small of a portion. Seriously what kinda customer service is this? I would never come here again simply because of the fact that we received subpar customer service and potentially discrimination because of my boyfriends race. The owner is lucky I didn't file a complaint. Maybe you shud train your waitress to be subtle when a black guy walks into the restaurant. This is just straight up disrespectful and ignorant. This place has lost my business forever.
(1)Lisa H.
Decided to take my friend here for her birthday because she loves Korean BBQ and I heard nothing but great things about this place. It was a Wednesday evening and upon arrival, I noticed there was a line forming out the door. The wait time was about 30-45 minutes (they don't take reservations.) After close to an hour, we finally sat down and were given water and menus. We decided to get an order of seafood pancake to start. The pancake was filled with squid, imitation crab meat, onions, and some bell peppers. The taste was just ok, nothing too special. For our entrees, we got bulgogi (marinated sliced beef) and doeji gui (marinated sliced pork) to BBQ. The meat was marinated well, but tasted just like every other Korean BBQ place I have been to. So food wise, there is nothing too special about this place. The service here isn't as bad as everyone claims it to be though, but still could have been better. They only refilled our water and any side dishes that were empty when asked, but they did take the time to help us cook our meats and made fried rice with our leftovers. Overall, I think Cho Sun Ok offers average food and service. I don't see myself coming back anytime soon to wait in an hour line.
(2)Emmy H.
Go early! And I wouldn't suggest bringing alcohol if you're going on a weekend- just as a courtesy to others because if you do, you'll be hogging a table longer while there's a line of people waiting. The food is delicious, and you'll always leave with your hair smelling like korean BBQ!
(4)Elizabeth H.
I had the fried dumplings, thinly sliced beef, and the mackerel. They were all outstanding! A great place for small groups or dates.
(5)Lucy C.
PROS: 1. Cha dol bae gi. I don't even need a menu. 2. BYOB. Nothing beats Korean BBQ and ice cold beer + soju. 3. Pan chan (side dishes) galore! The kimchi is really good. 4. They put rice in your pan at the end of your meal for freaking delicious fried rice, flavored by all your meat oils and leftover side dishes. It's tempting to ask for extra butter... 5. They give you gum with your check. CONS: 1. No reservations + small venue = line out the door. 2. Sometimes they will put small parties at the same table. I shared mine with a couple that really liked PDA... 3. Despite talking to the servers in English, they will always respond in Korean. 4. You have to walk through the kitchen, all the way in the back to use their tiny, I-can-barely-turn-around-without-touching-the-wall bathroom. 5. Your hair and clothes will smell like meat for a week. A fragrant souvenir of your culinary adventure, perhaps?
(4)Barry m.
I love this place. They give you tons of food for your $, its BYOB, the quality is fantastic, the Kimchee Chigae is the best in the city, and it feels like being in eoul. For all y'all complaining about the Ajuma's (old woman waitresses) you must understand the way of the Ajuma. Tough as nails but very sweet on the inside. , !
(5)Marcela R.
Delicious food at a great price. Severs are nice, but they barely speak English and they do not seem to bother to understand a word of what you are saying.
(4)Jenny T.
Sorry guys, not a fan. Before coming here, I noticed a lot of people had gripes about the service, so I came prepared. However, after waiting almost an hour and the waitstaff seated the party of 3 and a party of 4 that came AFTER my party of 2, all bets were off. I had put my Asian game face on and everything, walking up to the just emptied table, but the server totally denied me and I was left standing there awkwardly as the parties behind us filled the empty tables. We were pretty hungry by the time we got seated, and we ordered the beef with octopus, kimchi jigae, and seafood pancake. I was underwhelmed by the panchan (two varieties of kimchi, sweet marinated potato, seaweed, bean sprouts, potato salad, pickled radish) and the kimchi jigae (usually a quick favorite) lacked that particular oomph. My man and i observed that the kimchi fried rice ending was only given to those who had ordered the thick cut meat, since we didn't get this treatment as we ordered the thin cut meat with octopus. No matter --we were full enough as it was by the end of the meal anyway. He had a hard time getting iced water refills, and I had a hard time enjoying dinner since I felt for the accumulating crowd by the door escaping the cold. There are many other great places in Chicago for Korean food. Not sure what the hype is about this place, maybe its appeal is that it's public transportation adjacent? Most likely won't be coming back here. Good luck with the wait!
(3)Sippy P.
VERMIN, GNATS & SO RUDE!!! We love Korean BBQ so we were excited to try Cho Sun Ok while visiting Chicago with it's good reviews from Yelp. Our party of 5 sat down and were totally ignored for nearly 20 minutes before we went up to the register to ask for menus and water. All of the women servers had dirty looks on their faces and threw plates and silverware around like they were mad. Koreans who came in after us were getting their water, menus, and food immediately. I guess you have to be Korean here to be treated with any level of respect or courtesy. Food was just okay. The only meat available to cook was beef. The stoves are NOT authentic charcoal but gas. Lots of gnats flying around the table and food. Vents over the grills do not work well. As I waited outside for the rest of my party after our meal I watched a very large mouse (or small rat) scamper out of the side kitchen door of the restaurant. We won't be back. There are much better, cleaner, and friendlier Korean restaurants out there!! NOT deserving of these 3,4, and 5 star ratings!!
(1)Mai L.
Been here a few times and never disappointing. This time we had bulgogi and kimchi pork belly. Both were the best I've ever had! The soondubu was also really tasty but a bit too spicy for me and did not have much seafood.
(4)Jiwon M.
you know we always talk about the perfect foods always come from "the dives"? Well this is the hole in the wall place that will like FLOOR you with amazing food! This is the Korean version of the Soup Natzi (Seinfeld Episode go check it out if you didn't get it). They will run you ion like you were cattle but man you WILL come out like PIGS. Serious Korean eats. Authentic as they come and you WILL Crave just about everything you eat! MUST TRY AT LEAST ONCE
(5)Danny M.
I have passed by this place numerous times when we go for burger night at a bar by here. My friend told us about this place and he highly recommended we try it. Therefore, I came here with a group of 4 on a weekend and it was packed, so we had to wait outside for about 20 mins. As soon as we were seated, you can tell the service was pretty bad from the beginning. We didn't get much attention for about 10 minutes after we were seated. However, when a Korean family came in about 15 minutes after us and were seated next to us, they automatically had VIP service. They were attended to first and they even placed there order and they had water on there table already. Our table...still nothing. Anyway, we finally placed our order and water was brought to our table. My favorite thing from here is the Suhn Dubu, which is pretty good if you love tofu. It was spicy, but nothing crazy. Other than that, everything else we ordered was just okay for the most part. I really wanted to try the Kimchi Fried Rice because it looked so yummy, but we were too full to get that. Plus it is huge... For the most part, I thought the food here was good, but I have definitely had better. Plus the service was beyond horrible, which ruined my mood to eat. At one time, I just wanted to finish my food and leave.
(3)LaDarian D.
One of my favorite parts of living in North Center is Cho Sun Ok. This place is PACKED everyday because the tradition style of Korean hibachi is always on point. The sliced beef & spicy octopus is a must monthly at minimum. Inexpensive BYOB & always hits the spot
(5)B T.
I can't believe this place existed in the US. Absolutely tasty and authentic Korean restaurant!!! High quality, very crowded, availability of great selections! What's that called? The rice in the Teppan in the end, that become crunchy, mixed with spicy kimchee, meat and vegetables? I'm surprised about the authenticity and quality. The only cons: 1) BYOB (can be the PRO, haha) 2) crowded (people love this place) 3) definitely get food coma (eat well within budget)
(4)Zach A.
Wonderful Korean food, my favorite in Chicago. The little dishes that come with everything, pan chan, are fantastic! Ask for more if you really like something. Enjoy!
(4)Connie Y.
Nothing too stellar about the BBQ at this place, but food is good. This place is a bit small with long wait times as a result. I don't believe that it's so good to the point that you can't get good Korean BBQ elsewhere for much less wait time. Service is not great either with the wait staff being quite brusque and unattentive.
(3)Joseph J.
Hands down the best Korean food in Chicago. Sure, the waitresses are surly and can't speak a word of English, but I don't care. The trifecta of Kalbi, Kotchari, and Korean sticky rice in your mouth at the same time is pure heaven. Their kimchee jigae and yuk gae jang are off the charts. I've been going here for 13 years and will never stop. Highly recommended.
(4)Liam A.
We couldn't even eat here and this "review", if I must, will just detail what we experienced in merely trying to. So we arrived here late one Friday night with a party of five. We didn't have reservations so right off the bat we were okay with waiting for a table to open up. The problem started when we entered the place and immediately found about 15+ other people standing around like sardines in the tiniest entry way ever. It must've been less that seven feet of space from the door to go outside to the unmanned hostess booth and every inch of that space was taken up by people waiting. Amidst standing there shivering to near death because the door either woundn't remain closed or someone was entering/leaving, all the people waiting started wondering if anyone's actually been acknowledged by the staff. Turns out that out of the 3 or 4 parties waiting there the staff had only talked to one. From where I stood I could see over our crowd and noticed that all of the workers kept busy and none even bothered to check the situation by the door. Just poor management of the situation, that's all. Add to that how it was freezing cold and none of us were given an estimate wait time for a table let alone greeted. Half of those parties waiting ended up leaving due to being ignored. We followed suit. I don't think I'd go back again even if I was guaranteed a table.
(1)Mandy W.
Ok..This 1 star is for the food. Horrible service!. So, I had guests from Canada and since they love Korean food and i took them here. We had the party of 8 and i ordered like 4 orders of cha dol gui and the server only brought out 2 orders ( well they charged me for 2 only at the end). It was my first time here so i didn't know how big the order was so i assumed that they brought out enough. I tried to asked for more banchan and the servers brought only kimchi out and she did not seem like she wanted to served us. They tried to rushed us out even we had not finished with out food. What a bad place! It left bad impressions for my guests since they said the services a the Korean restaurants in Canada are way BETTER than here. It is so embarassing though.
(1)Corey D.
The food and presentation are great! The service, not so much. They were waaaay to busy, poorly staffed and it's super small. You have to hang your own coat too. We didn't get service at our table for the first twenty minutes. This was a Monday evening, so I can only imagine how it is on other days of the week. If you're not White or Asian prepare to be stared at, but they eventually became a little more comfortable.
(1)Ashley V.
Best Korean BBQ in Chicago, hands down. So happy I found this place!! Unfortunately, the line during dinner hours is always ridiculous so if you can, try to go during off peak times. The bulgogi is unlike any I've had before. So sweet and juicy - amaaaazing. And when you order the chadolbaegi, they will make the kimchee fried rice with the rest of your meat in the end. Yes, the service is sub par but they have never been outright rude to me. Totally worth the wait and meh service if you ask me. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Christina K.
Food is decent, but the service actually made me really unhappy, speaking as a girl who's waitressed for 1.5 years. We had a table of 3, were sat within 3-4 minutes after they cleared a table. We ordered fairly quickly - galbi, soondubu jigae, and seafood pajun. While we were waiting for our banchan, we saw 3 other groups come in, be seated, eventually order, and then receive their banchan from the same waitress who took our order. Two of the groups were caucasian, one was asian. We wondered why there was such a long delay for our banchan and asked the waitress if ours was coming soon. She brought it in a few minutes. Overall, it probably took us about 5-10 minutes longer to get our banchan than it did the other 3 groups. All right, whatever. Maybe she forgot our table, which happens, or maybe she purposely served white people first because they tend to tip more than asian americans. I get it, really. We got our food in decent time and started eating. The soondubu was really nice, galbi had approx. the right flavor, but was rather tough, and the seafood pajun was disappointing. It was not crisp at all, more moist and soft, and the batter left a lot to be desired. I love pajun, but only if it's stuffed with a big helping of seafood, if the batter itself is delicious, and if it's fried so that it's golden and crispy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. We asked for water nicely. Then I asked for a refill of 2 specific banchan dishes. While I was asking for the refill of the banchan, the waitress stared at me, started walking away. I said "Sorry! Can I have - " but no, she was already gone. I'm pretty shy and I don't consider myself bitchy when I ask for things in restaurants, so I was very shocked that she just walked off while I was nicely asking her for water and banchan. My friend flagged down another waitress and asked for the two banchan dishes. We never got our water for the rest of the meal, nor did we get our banchan. I understand that when it gets busy, as a waitress, you start forgetting things, but I try my best when I'm serving to make everyone as happy as possible. I've never just walked away from a customer asking politely for water and extra appetizers, which is why I was so unhappy with the service I received. I'm not sure why the service I received was so bad. Either way, not bringing my friends around here anymore.
(2)David P.
I was in Korea for 4 years and the people are much more kind and customer service is tons better in Korea. We went to this restaurant because heard it was best in Chicago. If this is best in Chicago, they should close this restaurant. If you weren't Korean, you didn't get any service ... Period. We sat at our table for at least 15 minutes (literally) before we even got water. I had to flag our server down to even get the water. Food IS NOT very good. I love Korean food and have eaten tons of times and this was the worst. I've eaten in New York and food is much better. Even in Nashville there is a Korean restaurant called Seoul Garden that puts this place to shame. Anyone who says this place is good is either a relative to the owner or has never had real good Korean food and SERVICE. I will NEVER go back here.
(1)Nathasja T.
This place is great! It may appear dark and dingy on the outside, but when you walk in it is actually surprisingly clean and light inside. There are a couple of tables in the center, and a few booths around the outsides of the diningroom. Seating is limited, so do your best not to come during peak times. The restaurant is BYOB, which is a total plus. BYOB creates an immediate, cozy, homey feel. It kindof reminds me of stopping over at your best friends house after work with some brewskis and take out food. Only you are dining in, and the food is ubdoubtedly gonna be so much better here. The tabletop grills here are hysterical. Instead of spiffy, built-in grills this restaurant brings out these little tabletop grills of all shapes and sizes. They are of the variety that your grandma would take if she went camping fiftysome years ago. It is so cute and still totally does the job. We ordered bulghogi to share, and what a great decision that was. You receive a large amount of meat, and since the marinate is so gorgeously, sinfully delicious you would easily be overeating if you'd order your own portion all for yourself. Bulghogi is one of those dishes that are very hard to mess up in my book. It is almost always a glorious feast of flavor, and I will go as far as saying this may be the best I have had so far. The meat caramelizes in such a manner that you will soon find yourself scraping the pan for itty bitty pieces stuck in the bottom. It'll make you feel like a total hobo, but you must not waste a single piece of this Godly goodness. The banchan are good, but be careful when asking for refills. The waitstaff seems perpetually crabby, so much so that I laughed out loud at the user comparing this place to the 'no soup for you' skid. It really sortof is like that here. Also, check your water before you drink it. They tend to give out some oddly colored brownish-yellow water. I have still not deciphered what this was, but it was oddly tasty. I was told it was a traditional Korean drink, but if you prefer regular ole American see-thru water, be sure to specify.
(5)Kathy L.
The best cold buckwheat noodle, except for my home made. My husband and I are going to have it for lunch today. Just as an FYI, you never go to a Korean restaurant for service. It's done the same way in Korea... you come in, sit, order fast, and if you need anything else, you raise your hand and holler to get the waitress' attention. :)
(4)Marianne A.
I'm doing a review from when we went here last week. Last and first time was in February, this time we came earlier (630pm) looking to give this place another try since the food was the standout last time. We were seated up at the "bar" near the front and this time we got much better service because all the Korean aunties had to pass us going in and out of the kitchen. Had a the spicy shredded beef appetizer soup ($4) and it fed both of us. Again had the bulgogi dinner for 2 with all the side dishes. Food was as authentic and great as last time, loved the kimchee! Sooo happy with this experience that it totally made up for the previous. It was packed again and as we left an hour later at 730pm there were about 10 people in line out the door! It needs to be bigger so that more groups can be seated comfortably. Legit korean food in the city! And yes, you totally smell like beef after!
(5)Raymond M.
I think this is the one of the best Korean BBQ restaurant in Chicago. I heard that this place was really small and the wait is long for a table. Luckily, my friends and I arrived when there was one table available. Unlike other Korean BBQ restaurants with grills, this place has stone pots. We ordered the ChaDol-Gui, BulGogi, Galbi-Gui, and KimChi JjiGae. We started with the ChaDol-Gui. The thinly sliced beef was tender and well-complimented by the side dishes and dipping sauces. It is similar to the Beef Brisket from Woori Village, but it was fresher here. The Galbi-Gui came as a separate dish. The charcoal-broiled beef short ribs were delicious I would like it to have some slight burnt pieces on the edges to give it a nice crispiness. Next onto the stone pot was the BulGoGi. The beef was tender, juicy, and well-marinated; it was sweet and not too salty. The KimChi JjiGae did not stand out among the kimchi jjigae from other Korean restaurants I went. After we were finishing up our last meat, the server placed most of our side dishes onto the stone pot along with a few more ingredients and rice. I have never seen this before. This kimchi fried rice was very delicious because it was mixed with all the flavors and juices from the meats and the delicious side dishes. The variety of flavors and textures within the fried rice was further enhanced by the stone pot making the bottom of the rice crispy without burning it black. The service was better than most Korean BBQ restaurants. They actually cook and serve you food; however, it felt a little rushed because the server had to attend to other diners. I was a little disappointed because our side dishes and water were not refilled when asked, but it's okay. I walked out happy and full. As I walked out, there was a huge line waiting. Thankfully, we were not one of them. One of the best Korean BBQ!!!
(5)John Y.
Awesome portions and totally authentic taste. Kicks the shit out of K-town's offerings in NYC. I will definitely come back when I visit Chicago again.
(5)Connie L.
This is my favorite Korean place in the area--the tabletop bulgolgi is amazing along with the seafood pancake. I suggest coming either really early or during a weekday. The place is small and you will probably have to wait awhile if you come around 6PM. I've stood outside in line during a winter night just to grab a table. I would give it 5 stars if the service wasn't so bad (it would be better to bring someone who speaks Korean). They rarely check up on you and you can expect your water to be empty (my friend anticipated this so she brought her own).
(4)Angel W.
Great food but horrible attitude if you are not Korean. We are supposed to have three orders of fired rice , but only gave us one. We had No water / tea till halfway meal.
(3)Sam C.
I have no idea why this place is ranked so high. I came here before a meeting during dinner time and ordered the following: 1) SoonDuBu JjiGae 2) Galbi The soondubu is a bit watery but it does have better flavor than most places I've been do (which isn't saying much). The Galbi is giant ribs and not the smaller ribs, which makes eating hard. The worst about the galbi is that it tasted like it was precooked then they just heat it up. I have to say, I'm totally disappointed.
(2)Doe L.
This place is A-OK (as yelp states it) in my opinion. There's always a wait. I'm not bothered about this part since it's kind of expected to wait for good food. I am a little annoyed by the constant flow of people walking ahead of me to see if they can put their names down (FYI you can't). When your only waiting area is a tiny crammed space between the two doors, that can get old fast. If the line gets past the door, it's kind of an honor system then because I have seem a bunch of people just crowding the door and not forming a line. Why is there usually a wait? Because the place is tiny. Expect to be very close to your neighboring table and if you're unlucky enough to get stuffed into a chair in the walkway, expect to get bumped by people. The chadolbaegi is good but nothing that really wows me. As stated, service is not that great. They've never been very mean to me but they also don't really care. It may take a minute to get refills (on panchan, drinks, etc...) or it may never come because they just forgot. They do get their essentials down fast though (Get your order, bring first panchans, bring your meat, make the fried rice at the end). They just don't care. My bf was distraught when they sped off with one of our dishes and there was a big slice of haemul pajeon left on it. They took off so fast that we couldn't even utter a sound. He was inconsolable for the rest of the night (not because it was really good but more because he hates wasting/losing food).
(3)Anna H.
This place has the best chaldobaegi (thin sliced, non-marinated beef) and kimchee fried rice, which is cooked at your table in the same stoneware plate after the meats have been cooked. This is my favorite Korean restaurant in the city limits of Chicago by far. But the space is very small and this place is always packed. Be prepared to wait in a line during peak lunch or dinner hours. They do not take reservations. I would not recommend coming here with a part of more than 6-7 people. BYOB - woot!
(5)Mimi L.
Best Korean food in Chicago and it's BYOB. My friends and I usually order the un-marinated beef and drool at the end when they make the crispy rice. Sorry I don't know how to pronounce the dish, I just know where to point on the menu. The waitresses don't speak much much English and they usually ignore you until you flag them down for something. It's a small place and the wait is kind of long during peak times so don't go there too hungry.
(5)Jane Y.
came here TWICE. service was AWFUL. First of all they neglected us the whole time going to other tables to cook their barbecue (probably because we couldnt speak korean or were not white says my Korean friend who i talked to later on). server never once looked at us then, when we ask for more side dishes, they didn't give it to us nor did they give us the kimchi fried rice with our bbq for 2 im highly disappointed because their bbq is not bad service is so awful i would not go back nor recommend it. they were just plain RUDE. i understand that they were semi busy but there were plenty of servers for the amount of tables (speaking from own serving experience)
(1)Adrienne C.
"I don't stop eating when i'm full. The meal is not over when i'm full. The meal is over when I hate myself." -Louis CK Oh, Chosun Oak...good thing I don't live in Chicago anymore or else your delicious, thinly sliced Cha Dol Bae Gi* and kimchi fried rice* finale would have been the end of my waistline. Get the soondubu* (tofu soup) to have with your meat. Especially if it's cold outside. This place is an excellent value (approx $30 for 2 people). You probably won't need to eat lunch the next day either. note: the overworked, middle-aged Korean waitresses are in the business of quickly accommodating all their customers. dont expect anything else from them. tip: leave dry clean only jackets/coats in the car or else they'll smell like smoke from the meat cooking at your table also, it's BYOB now. *I'm Korean, so you can trust me
(4)Kira W.
Went here with friends last night and really enjoyed the food. We started with the pan friend dumplings which were very tasty. BulGoGi was the main meat dish we ordered and wow, it was amazing! You cook the meat yourself on your table as well which is a fun experience. The other meat entree we ordered (which was not cooked at our table) was the KimChi SamGyeobSal. This was my favorite. So much flavor with a little spice to it. I couldn't stop eating it! We also had a rice and noodle dish both of which were very good but the meat was the main event at this place. It is a very small restaurant so I recommend getting there early or you are in for a bit of a wait. I will definitely be coming back here and probably ordering the same exact meats because they were THAT good :)
(4)Peter D.
For the price, location, and quality, Cho Sun Ok is a winner. It may not have the most extensive menu I've seen, especially compared with other Korean BBQ offerings I've had in Baltimore and Philadelphia, but the quality and affordability outweigh the smallish menu. Oyster pancakes are a MUST and I would highly recommend anything that can be grilled at the table (as opposed to the kitchen). I'll be back for sure. Did I mention it's also BYOB?
(5)Chrystarie H.
The bulgogi and banchan was delicious. Thank u fellow yelpers. My friend loved the place ^_^
(5)Sam Y.
My favorite korean restaurant in Chicago. Try to avoid peak time. It is a small restaurant and there are people waiting in line all the time.
(5)Jay I.
I think this is as good as it can get in Chicago. Even though they have kinda limited bbq menu, they still have solid lunch/dinner menu. Actually their bbq is cheaper than most other places (25 bucks for 2). The portion is huge for the price, and they also make you fried rice at the end from the pan we used to cook the meat. Authentic korean style... (very common on university village restaurants in korea). I guess there is a reason why this place is popular. I am pretty sure I will be a regular in this place.
(5)Priya S.
4 of us were craving some korean barbecue and landed in Cho Sun OK for dinner. A couple of things, they shut early (10:30 they are showing you their watch and not very politely asking you to leave). Also the kitchen shuts and 10 or even 9:59 as she wouldn't take my tofu soup order at that time. So make sure you come on time as you might have a bit of a wait (we waited around 20 minutes). The place is small, very minimalist with around 10-12 tables. There is no grill top as such, it's more stove tops that are place on your table and you cook on them - that didn't bother me too much. The food itself was tasty, we ordered the dumplings, and the seafood pancake that i really recommend. After that we order the beef bulgogi and the mackerel. We wanted a side of kimchi fried rice but that isn't possible unless you order the regular beef. Luckily my friend insisted and we got the kimchi fried rice with the bulgogi beef - it was probably the best dish of the night! A plus point is that it is BYOB and they don't charge a corkage fee (well we think they don't as we didn't really understand the receipt, it was all in korean!). The quantities are big and we had left overs from what we ordered. It was definitely a fun and tasty experience though not sure if I would go all the way out there for it again.
(3)angela h.
Willing to go back to try other dishes, but knowing full well that I'm going to get crap service. I guess that says a lot about how much abuse I'm willing to take for tasty eats.
(3)Justin B.
The service wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting...and the food was just as good as advertised. We did octopus, and both the marinated & un-marinated bulgogi, all were excellent with all the side dish fixins. And, the kimchi fried rice brought it all home. Spent $24/person with tax and tip, for the amount of food, this is ridiculous. Monday nights were very easy to work with, if you show up just before or after a normal dinner hour, there's no wait at all. BYO!
(5)Paul d.
So let's get the following assumptions out of the way first. 1) The staff will speak little to no English. 2) The service will be minimal and inattentive at best. 2) You will leave there smelling like walking bul-go-gi. Unfortunately, the generalization of Korean restaurant experiences remain intact with this place. The only ambiguous part of the whole ordeal is waiting in line and not knowing if there should be some wait list you should be on. Secondly, I made a joke to my wife that only way to get the attention of the waitresses is to position your head low to the ground since they always seemed to be looking down to avoid any type of eye contact. That being said, I won't base my review on these imperfect logistics. Instead I will base it on the food and I will tell you that the bul-go-gi that we had was the most flavorful bul-go-gi we have ever had at a do it yourself BBQ place in Chicago. Same went with the Jap chae. I cannot say enough about how good the food tasted and it has vaulted this restaurant as my top Korean BBQ joint in the city. (The place has at most 12 tables and is popular so go at off times if you don't want to wait a ridiculously long time.)
(5)John K.
Of course, I am already prepared for the long wait...it turned out to be like 45 minutes...but man...with my frat bros and all the BYOB beer plus some chadolbaegi and marinated pork, oh shit I just had an ecstatic eat here. All of us 7 guys ate just enough that we were not bloated and we got the check...o m g that was super super happy reasonable. I know where I am going to go if I really want great Korean BBQ that is worth the wait
(4)Lu W.
Remember that it will close at 10 p. m, when ever you enter the restaurant. If you want to enjoy the Korean style, just go. But the flavor is not delicious as imagine.
(1)Y B.
COLD RACIST RACIST COLD UNPROFESSIONAL!!!! Food is good but the service is beyond horrible. My husband and decided to eat here this past weekend with our baby girl. After waiting for just water for 30 minutes we noticed that the two other families (which were Korean) that arrived way after we did were served their meals first before we were even just served water. I asked the lady about it and she pretended not to understand me... she called another server over... and told the other women: "THEY ARE NOT KOREAN" in Korean... my husband understood them since he is 100 percent Korean but doesn't look Korean... he said why does that matter. I was completely shocked and taken back by this treatment. COLD COLD COLD Horrible. You get a sense that you are not wanted there from the beginning... of course unless you are Korean.
(1)Marcy M.
How do I even begin this review?! I'm in love with #6!! I will wake up in the middle of the night craving this place. Honestly. I dig it the most! My last visit was on Thanksgiving evening- oh my wow. What a great experience. Sure they are not gushing over you by any means- but truly amazing food. Byo is a plus! I highly highly highly recommend this place!! Recently I spoke to someone who opened my eyes to other options on the menu- reviews to follow!!! :) YUM!
(5)Joonho Y.
Some of the Best Tasting Korean Food in Chicago. It has a very "Down Scale" feel to it that you either think is Charming or Grungy. The Kalbi here is awesome, and you have the option of the Traditional Table Grill or just having it Grilled for you (which I prefer). Staff does not speak English very well, so be prepared for that, but you will still be able to order what you want. It will be Well Worth It!!!
(4)Anne M.
Well, can't say I enjoyed it. . . Decided to try something new, and it didn't quite work out for me. Why? Because I had no idea what I was ordering, what the dishes were that were served to us, what I was tasting, what the two frazzled older ladies running the show were saying to me (those poor ladies need some help!), and on and on... Communication is key - in life and in restaurants - and there was none here. My date and I arrived here on a Wednesday evening, and stood in the warm, heavy with cooking smells/oils, not really a waiting area, waiting area as our table was being prepared. Sat down and were promptly given two glasses of water and two dirty/falling apart menus. No explanation, no hello, no nothing. So, we decided to go with a tofu/bean soup for me, and a beef noodle dish for him. Let's give it a try! Shortly after, one of the women dropped off an assortment of tiny interesting looking side dishes, but didn't explain anything so we had no idea what was what. Then our entrees came with sides of rice, and we had a table full of good looking (mystery) food. My boiling soup (literally, it was boiling) took a while to cool, but smelled delicious. Once I was able to sample it, it was indeed good, and spicy. Thank god for that bowl of rice, because I wouldn't have been able to eat it without the rice to mellow it out. We sampled a few of the side dishes, but didn't care for the flavor of them (personal taste, nothing against the food). *Date ran out of water quickly into dinner (the food is hot!) and flagged down one of the waitresses, she made some comments as she circled our table, while simultaneously ignoring us, and didn't actually fill up the glasses until we asked for our check - better late than never, but geez.... I've been wanting to try this place for a while, b/c it's somewhat close to the pad and b/c of all the good reviews, and I must say, I was disappointed. I know many of the reviews warn of bad service and say "just enjoy the food". I'm sorry, but part of a restaurant's job is providing good customer service (or at least some basic communication!) - it's part of the package, and without that, the entire experience is compromised. Perhaps with a little more guidance from our waitress and some communication, this could have been a much more enjoyable dinner.
(2)FoodLover Z.
Being a huge fan of kalbi, I've been waiting a long time to go to Cho Sun Ok. And the pace didn't disappointed. Great kalbi, served with an array of Korean side dishes. The only gripe I have is that the price of the items on their menu isn't very clear. The kalbi was printed as being 9.95, but my total bill was over 16 bucks without tip. Other than that, this place is great.
(4)Samantha J.
I'm not an expert on Korean food, however I have been to Korea and LOVED the food. I couldn't tell you what we had, other than meat, more meat, a seafood pancake, and the fried rice thing at the end. Everything was wonderful: the food tasted great, it was delivered quick, and the waitresses kindly stepped in when our designated meat flipper was asleep at the wheel (or tongs in this case). It's small and cozy, and BYOB. Be prepared to wait outside if you get there when it's full.
(4)Hannah N.
I'll start by saying I'm super Korean. Like, lived in the motherland for about 12 years kind of FOB Korean. My first food was probably kimchee. This place is known for its Cha-dol-bak-ee (super thin-sliced beef), and more importantly, the fried rice they serve you afterwards. 1) No such thing as getting your name down and being called when a seat opens up. Get in line with everyone else. There is absolutely no organizational system to the seating, purely first-come first-serve. 2 people could get seated awkwardly at the round 6-top (this puts you at an interesting dilemma of where to sit based on your relationship: 60 degrees is too close but 180 degrees is too far). 6 people could be crammed into the 4-top. May the odds be ever in your favor. 2) I'm okay with rude service in traditional Korean restaurants. This place has that in abundance and a half - super rude and slow service. Get prepared for dishes to be thrown at your table by nonchalant stone-faced servers. Get prepared to feel as ignored as a white crayon unless you basically yell out for things that you want. Just be patient and prepare to ask for things several times (and I mean SEVERAL) and you'll eventually get what you need/want. Actually, ask for things to be refilled in anticipation of them running out before they actually run out since odds are you'll have to ask them again anyways. 3) I like to cook my own meat. Sometimes the server ladies just throw you the plate of meat and never return, so you have to be comfortable with starting the process on your own. Although... Sometimes they are more attentive if you look like you don't speak Korean. 4) If you want the cold noodles (which are pretty darn good), you can't do it the traditional Korean way and try to order it as a dessert after your massive meat meal or the servers will look at you like you are insane and refuse to serve you because they really want to get the tables moving. You must plan ahead accordingly and order it with your meat. 5) I like to think that I know my Korean BBQ, and taste-wise, this place is pretty good. The Cha-dol-bak-ee is like beef bacon. I mean, the meat itself is probably placed nebulously between average to above average (it's frozen in order to shave it so thin). However fried rice after meal is what makes this place the winner ALL THE TIME. You won't get fried rice for any other kind of marinated BBQ item (a.k.a kalbi or bulgogi), it only comes with the Cha-dol-bak-ee and maybe a couple other non-marinated meats. Make sure to leave a bit of the meat, because you can mix it into your fried rice. The best way to facilitate this is to demand for the fried rice immediately prior to or after you place the last batch of meat on the cooking stone. Make sure you have some of the soy-pickled onions leftover, that onion-infused soy sauce is pure gold in the fried rice. Add some of your sesame oil to the rice after it's done cooking (that's the golden dipping sauce they gave you for your meat) for that extra special something. 6) BYOS. Bring your own soju. It'll help you to forget about the service. 7) I usually just walk up to the register to pay. Waiting for your check will take an extra 15-20 minutes... Unless you were still sitting and enjoying your soju and wanted the extra time to chill. 8) Take home your leftover fried rice. It's pretty glorious with an over-easy egg on top the next day.
(4)Winnie T.
Really good food with a good portion for the price. You definitely have to be more patient with the servers though. It takes them a while to get to you but even then, they tend to forget and you have to ask multiple times/multiple people
(4)Dax R.
This place is always packed. If you are craving Kalbi, this is the place to go! Also, is it just me or do you get better service when you are here with Korean friends? Food more than makes up for the hit or miss service.
(5)Sean P.
Good food, average service
(4)Dennis T.
No frills Korean BBQ place with a nice environment and feel. The side dishes and main meat entrees were very good. Great value for very good food.
(5)Patrick L.
Wow. This place makes the BEST bulgogi I have ever had. EVER. My date and I enjoyed it so much, that we ordered another round. Who orders another round OF BEEF?! This bulgogi wasn't some mishmash, shredded beef soaked in sauce that I'm used to receiving at every Korean restaurant. No, this was big slices of beef. If you can imagine if a steak was put through the thickest setting on a deli slicer, you get the idea of the size of beef slices you get. Hallelujah! We ordered the non-cook-at-your-table portion, so they cooked these beef slices in a broiler in the corner of the whole dining area, which I thought was interesting. But when you get it and bite into it, you can see it's very tender and well marinated. You can tell it's quality beef they're using -- it wasn't tough, nor did it have any chewy bits. 3 stars, because I've had better Kimchi Jigae elsewhere -- poor amount of pork, but the tofu and kimchi were good. Also, service was meh -- they need more servers. Throughout our dining experience, we were at a lack of water at all times, and even if they filled it, they only filled it halfway, as if they were rationing it. Also, I don't think they completely listen to you, because sometimes when we tried to order specific encores of panchan, they brought everything else but the ones we wanted.
(3)Hang T.
Meh . . . That was my experience at this restaurant. Yelp led me in the wrong direction for the second time during my vacation. I went to this restaurant hoping to experience good Chicago Korean food. Boy, was I disappointed. We ordered the bulgogi, pork fried rice, and kimchi tofu soup. Everything, including the ban chan, was meh, or average. I'm used to bulgogi that is thinly sliced, but this wasn't which made it hard to eat and the only flavor you could taste was in the fat. The actual meat didn't taste like anything. Same goes for the fried rice. Whoever said the fried rice was good was totally off. Bland and worse than a Chinese take-out place. I think the kimchi soup was probably the best, but not by that much. I liked it, but it wasn't the best I've ever tasted. The service was off because it was so crowded that day and there were only two people working. I would skip this place altogether.
(2)Misty S.
I had a sudden craving for Korean food and came here on a Sunday evening. My internet was down so I wasn't able to properly prepare for a new restaurant (e.g. scan Yelp reviews for tips and tricks). There were things I wish I knew before I came here and this one goes out to all the first timers: Walk Through Guide for Cho Sun Ok: 1. Wear clothes that is ready for a wash - Yes, grab that pair of jeans you have been wearing for a week and that shirt you wore for half a day. I am starting off with this as a reminder that you will smell like a piece of smokey meat dipped in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic sauce after you leave and will want to throw everything you are wearing into the wash after the meal. You will also want to jump into the shower because your hair will absorb the stentch. 2. BYOB - There's also a Jewel within walking distant if you need to pick some up. You might want to bring your own water too because they don't do a good job with the refills. 3. There is no hostess - There is no list to put your name on. Find the end of the line and stand in it until you get a table. If you want to know how long the wait is, you can ask the people in front of you. Even then, you can only speculate. 4. Order Chadolbaegee (Cha Dul Bae Gi or however else you spell it) (unmarinated beef) - Apparently, this is the in thing to order. In my unenlightened state, I went with the ever popular Bul-go-gi (marinated broiled sliced beef) and was not disappointed. Bul-go-gi for two for $25. Open your menu when you are ordering so that you can point to the items you want. This will help your waitress quite a bit. 5. Pass on the spicy beef soup - The broth was quite bland, yet spicy...like watered down tobasco sauce. Maybe that's how it is supposed to be? At least I didn't get beef tendon like I did at SSGS as a result of a communication break down. 6. Banchan arrives shortly after your order - these small dishes of food are quite delicious! You can ask for more if you run out, but you'll have to get someone's attention. 7. Leave the cooking to the waitress - We are used to cooking and flipping our own meat at Korean BBQ's, but almost got our hand slapped by the waitress when we attempted to touch the tongs. "Not ready!!" 8. Ask your waitress - I am adding this one because most of us are used to the waitress doing the asking. If you want something, ask! You won't hear the phrases below here: "I noticed your water glass has been empty for the past 30 minutes, would you like some more?" "You still look hungry, did you want to order something else?" "You have finished eating, are you ready for the check?" 9. End of meal fried rice - I heard and saw but never got. I think you have to order the unmarinated meat to get this. The waitress will come by after the meal and dump your rice into the pan with some kimchi and whip up a delicious batch of fried rice with the left over meat juice. It seems like every other table had this but us. I actually tried ordering fried rice from the menu but they said they ran out. Hmmm...very suspicious. I would come back for the tasty food (minus the soup) at decent prices and relatively fast service. PARKING - There is free street parking nearby, but you might have to drive around to find one. There was plenty enough on a Sunday evening.
(5)Camille R.
After first time visiting here, I was turned off about the service but whatevs. The cha dol bak gi is the best thing that's ever happened to me. Plus the kimchi fried rice at the end to top it all off. BYOB Long wait Meh service (BUT WAY BETTER THAN THAT PIECE OF CRAP SAN SOO GAB SAN) Excellent food
(4)Stephanie M.
very very very close to my grandma and mom's cooking! unfortunately, i do not have the patience to cook some of my beloved korean dishes and its fortunate for me that this restaurant is right near my place in the city. i always stick with my top 3 favorites. the thinly sliced rib eye beef that's pan fried in a stone bowl at your table side (p.s. must mention this before you sit at the table because some seats do not have the gas range at the table), yook gae jang (spicy beef soup), or the do gahn ee tang (beef knuckle soup). everyone of these dishes comes with a massive amount of side dishes (bahn chan) so come with a very very hungry stomach. if you order the cha dohl baek ee (thinly sliced rib eye) after you grill your beef, they will come to your table side and make stir fried rice right in front of you. sort of like what you would find at any hibachi place. they also waste nothing so the stir fried vegetables are your left over bahn chan's (side dishes). the price is very reasonable for the amount of food you get, and guaranteed you will have left overs!!!!!! unless you've got an endless pit of a stomach. probably best that you bring mint gum with you at the end (especially if you're on a date) because korean food uses a lot garlic. :) enjoy!
(5)Wei H.
Pointer #1 - Order those sizzling cook-it-yourself fried rice and BBQ meat stuff!!! It smells heavenly. You will know what I am talking about as soon as you step in coz they are EVERYWHERE permeating the air and occupying your mind until you order it. Plus, you would probably feel like a great chef coz seriously, the meat is marinated perfectly and anything cooked on a the Korean equivalent of a hibachi is legit. I can only imagine because we did not order one. This leads us to Pointer #2. Pointer #2 - Just because other patrons seem to be loving their food, does not mean you will like the dish. When the waitress asked you in a concerned tone "This is spicy! Are you sure?", you should give it a second thought. I am referring to the spicy naengmyeon (cold noodles with broth) that I ordered. Prior to Cho Sun Ok, I had one naengmyeon experience and it was wonderful. I guess I must have gotten a regular version coz boy, the spicy one at this place was very strong. I am used to Sichuan spicy not Korean spicy so sadly I did not enjoy it. Pointer #3 - When in doubt, order barbecue. Their barbecue is amazing. Korean BBQ is not a hype - it is a real and competitive rival of your regular American BBQ. Portions are generous here and you actually become full from just eating it, and satisfied. Pointer #4 - Don't be shy in asking for refills of the side dishes, provided that you like them. As someone that love them, I sadly report to you that, nope, you cannot just treat them as your meal. Each person needs to order their own dish, or have their share of food if you are buying multiple-serving dishes.
(3)Jesus S.
I did enjoy this place... my first impression was kinda scummy as for some reason everyone kept staring at me... maybe cause i was brown and not yellow. and wearing a hoodie.... JAJA IDK Well the place was full, which to me was a good sign, i only had to wait about 10 min to be seated. we ordered 2 Kalbi and 1 bulgogi. the meat was very tender and side dishes seemed freash. i wouldnt mind coming back. as long i i dont get that feeling i did in korea once when i walked into a restaurant and was told koreans ONLY. Sure felt like they wanted to say it... but they knew better....cause ill slap a ho!!! Piece
(3)LeTran B.
The spicy pork was okay, not excellent. The bulgoki was whatever. It was lacking flavors and all I could taste was how sweet it was. It tasted like the meat was only marinated in sugar. The banchan were OK, too. Nothing stood out for me. The service was cold but that was expected. We came in when it wasn't busy at all and there were 4 Korean aunties hanging near the kitchen. However, the whole time we were there, no one stopped by to fill our water or to check if we need more banchan. Phooey.
(3)Ang K.
Went on a Saturday for lunch, no line! The food was tasty :) I don't have much to compare it to but I definitely enjoyed myself and my friend did also. It was fresh, so yay! As per people's suggestions, we ordered the Chadolbaegi (sp?) which is unmarinated, thinly sliced beef. I think we might have enjoyed the Bulgogi (marinated version) a little more, BUT this was good anyway. Fresh and SO thin :D great off the hot stoneware with pretty much any of the banchan (all of which are tasty). We were given about, mmm, 10 or more little dishes and all were thoroughly enjoyed!! And of course, at the end the server made us fried rice with the last batch of the meat :) As for the service. Ok, if you are used to American customer service where you are waited on like royalty, "the customer is ALWAYS right!!", then yes, you will not enjoy it here. As for me, someone who prefers to not be doted on constantly like I was the most precious thing in the world, the service was just fine. The servers took our order, brought out the food, came by every once in a while to glance if we're not ruining anything and/or to chuck some of our meat into the pot to cook it faster, and then if we caught their eye and called them over. They didn't say much, but they were definitely not mean or rude (unless your definition of rude, again, is not having your ass kissed attentively :P). Anyway, we drove all the way out from the northern suburbs, and if you've got the time, sure, make a trip of it. However, I wouldn't go desperately out of my way to drive all the way there for Korean food unless I really needed to satisfy a fix and didn't want to bother taking my chances elsewhere :) it's good but maybe not worth 3 hours roundtrip. Overall though, a solid Korean restaurant :)
(3)Jamie D.
Disclaimer: I've been here countless numbers of times before, and I've always enjoyed the food. The decor is lack-luster, the space is pretty cramped, and if you come around 6-7 PM, it's going to be packed, buuut I've pretty much gotten over that. I've also come to terms with the stiff service from the ajumma. That being said, I'm pretty much just going to review the food. I came here on a date last night, around 9 pm (an hour before close, there was no line) with a Korean dude. It was my first time going there with Korean company, but I didn't expect any stellar treatment from the ajumma just because he was Korean. However, it *did* help get the ordering process. We were both in it for the chadolbaegi. Ten minutes after ordering, our meat came out with the stone bowl. We had both been to CSO before, but it had been a while since he last dined there. When the banchan came out, he was kind of confused and asked, "Where's the lettuce?". One thing to keep in mind, CSO does NOT give lettuce with your meat. I'm sure you can ask for it but I've never done it, and neither did he last night. What chadolbaegi DOES come with are raw, shredded green onions. Don't get me wrong, I love wrapping meat in tons of lettuce, but the green onions go AMAZING with chadolbaegi. It also goes well with the garlic. Dude totally was hardcore and ate it raw, but I asked him if he could cook a few for me and he readily threw in a few cloves to get nice and softened/caramelized. The banchan was plenty and amazing as always (I'm not Korean, so don't hold me up on this, but I really, REALLY enjoy banchan). Last night was kind of a treat because we got water kimchi and large chunks of radish kimchi, in addition to the standard bean sprouts, tofu, sweet glazed potato/carrots, seaweed salad, cucumber, Korean potato salad (my ultimate fav banchan), pickled radish, and napa cabbage kimchi and other dipping sauces. The water kimchi threw me off because it was in a sort of soup bowl and we got two bowls of it, so I assumed it was soup. Upon asking Korean dude, he explained it was water kimchi. I've never had it before but it was YUMMY. Soo refreshing, crunchy, and light. Dude cooked the meat last night, so the ajumma pretty much ignored our table, which was fine. Times I've been there before, they would pile up the meat and leave it there before returning to stir it. Instead, of doing this, dude separated the meat and therefore the meat cooked faster and more evenly. I love my meat crunchy, so he left it a little longer in the stone bowl to get that crunch. Dude compared the chadolbaegi to bacon, and I totally agreed. The fattiness in the meat melts in your mouth like butta! However, I highly recommend you also dip it in the sesame oil and the fermented soybean paste for an extra level of fatty, salty goodness. After eating most of the meat, the ajumma returned to cook the awesome kimchi fried rice. Unfortunately, dude didn't touch the bowl and left it to the ajumma to cook...which kind of resulted in burned rice at the bottom. However, you MUST savor these burned bits! Dude thought I was crazy as I madly scraped the bottom of the bowl afterwards. He was like, "Don't eat the burned parts". It's not burnt..just crispy ; -d We ended the night on an awesome note with barley tea and good conversation about politics. There was another Korean group aside from us at the end of the night chilling at the bigger tables. However, when 10:30 rolled around, the party got up and left, and we took the initiative to do the same. I guess because there weren't many customers who came after we ate, we didn't feel rushed to leave, which was a nice change. I guess that's the plus about going there after the busy hours. I guess my take-home advice for CSO is to come here for the Korean BBQ and be prepared to get stuffed with GOOD food (go for the chadolbaegi!!). You know that stuffed feeling you have after eating so much good food? Oh yeah, that's what we both felt last night. I was walking around with ~two-hour food baby in a food coma. It was THAT good.
(5)Shuyuan Q.
I went Saturday dinner and there r lot of people. I waited for a half hour. Food is good. However, service people are not enough. Maybe it's busy. Still recommend.
(4)I L.
Food was delicious, all of it! Service is where this place is lacking. The lady put the meat on the little cauldron even when i told her we weren't ready yet. She said OK OK and still put it in there... They clearly don't speak Engrish very well, dont let them hurry you around.
(3)Xianyi H.
Fantastic place!!! Nice sides, delicious kimchi fried rice and I love the barbecue stone pan! The price there is also reasonable, about $15 per person.
(5)Jaime G.
Best Korean in town. Like authentic Korean or interested in trying? Cho Sun Ok in Lincoln Square is the place for you. Come now. It's that good. And bring your own brew...it's BYOB.
(5)Bekah M.
Delicious flavorful Korean BBQ! You must eat the dui jui gue!! I also love the pajeon! So good mmm! The servers here are quite cold but it's kind of hilarious. Also, byob! Hooray!
(5)Tera D.
This was...interesting. We went with a group of 4 on a Thursday and luckily we didn't have to wait at all around 6pm, although it was hopping within the hour. We were all first timers, which may have been our mistake. There's definitely VERY little explanation or customer service, so I mostly had to go off what I read on Yelp. For beef we went with the ChaDol-Gui (unmarinated) and the BulGoGi (marinated). The marinated one was WAY tastier, but from what I understood you had to get the unmarinated one to qualify for the fried rice that they make you at the end. We also ordered the Jap Chae and an octopus dish. The octopus was very chewy and not my favorite. I really liked the flavor of the Jap Chae, but I should mention that Korean "vermicelli" noodles are NOTHING like the Italian or Spanish kind, so just be aware. When it came time for the tabletop cooking we were totally confused. No one explained if this type of meat is meant to be cooked rare, or crispy, or whatnot, so we just felt like we were winging it. We also had no clue what to do with the 10+ little dishes of mystery items they brought out, which felt like a waste. All in all, I don't know that I'd go back unless I was going with a Korean person who knows what they're doing!
(3)Emily R.
While I have dined at Cho Sun a half-a-dozen times I have never been there without my Korean friend who does all of the ordering. Having said that, I adore this restaurant and the feast that they lay before me. We typically go with a group of 6 people and order pretty much the same thing every time: 2 orders of bul-go-gi (marinated raw beef), haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), galbi-gui (short ribs) and jab chae (noodles with beef and veggies). If you have never been to Cho Sun before any of those dishes will be sure to please. The best part is at the end of your meal when they take the leftover garlic and side dishes and stir fry them together with rice. I am usually too full to eat much of this delicious concoction but you can always take it to go!
(5)Luan N.
Finally a place that does chadal bae gi or beef brisket right. Places like SSGS and Woo Chon cook the brisket over charcoal. But Cho Sun Ok gets it right with the stone bowl. Oh man it was so good and portions were huge too. One order was enough for 2-3 people. Also the kim chee fried rice in the end was a much welcomed bonus. We also tried the naeng myeong which is noodles in a cold beef broth. It was really refreshing and came in a massive bowl. However, despite the rave reviews, I don't think I'm a huge fan of this dish. Maybe on a hot blistering day it would taste better. I got to give the place 5 stars for the brisket and for the price. But, knocking it down a notch for the cramped experience, substantial weight, and mediocre sun dubu.
(4)Samuel M.
I always say that ethnic food is best enjoyed either in a restaurant which looks like the health inspector hasn't paid a visit recently, or when served by staff that doesn't speak English. While I found Cho Sun Ok to be disappointingly clean, I was pleasantly surprised when the staff couldn't answer my question as to whether it was okay to wait inside the restaurant. I knew I was in for a treat. Pajeon (seafood pancake, $10.95) is paper thin, lightly fried, and filled with flavorful shellfish and vegetables. Bulgogi ($10.95) is delectably marinated and grilled to a tender crisp. Kimchi Jigae ($7.95 for a small) is hotter than Hades, surprisingly full of tender sliced beef; one of the best cures for a cold that I know of. All in all, Cho Sun Ok delivers some of the best Korean food I've had. Well worth the wait and the shlep to North Center!
(5)Eddy L.
The food is cheap and pretty good. The service is horrible. Especially the lady that works there. She is super rude and always looks like shes in a bad mood.
(3)Janet B.
If you go to Cho Sun Ok without your wife and kids, you better tell them the truth because there's no hiding the fact. Your clothes will REEK. They do offer a coat closet out of courtesy, but you will still be raped by the smell. Not that I care. I go here precisely for the authentic, divey atmosphere. Nothing beats having cha dol bae gi and soju with good company at Cho Sun Ok. Obviously you can get the thin beef slices and grill it at home and call it a night... but you don't have the lady grilling a generous amount of meat and dealing out the side dishes with the speed of a casino dealer and making absolutely delicious fried rice on spot at the end. Yes, the parking lot is kind of shambly, it wasn't easy to access by public transportation from the northern suburbs, and the wait on the weekends is kind of annoying, but SO WHAT. Cho Sun Ok is definitely the most memorable Korean restaurant from my time in Chicagoland, and I would love, love to visit again when I'm in town.
(4)Ferdinand H.
Bustling, hot and humid. BYOB. These would be the most critical things to remember for this restaurant. The Korean barbecue was pretty typical. YukeJang was less than impressive... as well as the samgyapsaal kimchi stir fry. The pork was a bit thick, and the kimchi not as fresh as I would have liked. On the other hand the grilled meat was fantastic. We ordered 2 sets of the specialty beef, and devoured it like starved savages from the stone cooking surface. When the waitress added the rice it was also quite a treat - especially once crispy and just slightly burnt.
(3)Sandy N.
Cho Sun Ok is really just about the food. The service can be a bit off-putting if you're not Korean because the ladies there are sort of in your face and don't mind telling you if you're eating something the wrong way (with the wrong sauce) or if you're cooking the wrong way. Other than that, the food is good. I've been here twice now, and we usually order the marinated beef for 2 to grill at the table. It's a lot of meat. Then there's something like 6-8 side dishes that are brought out and spread all around the grill area to accompany your main dishes. On top of that, this last time we ordered a scallion pancake (savory, with kimchi, shrimp, and squid) and the tendon soup (this was bland, better to order the appetizer, I'm thinking). After you're done with most of the meat, there's a few pieces left that are saved. The lady will come over and drop a bunch of kimchi on your grill until it caramelizes, then drops on a bunch of rice and some other veggies.. Ta da! You have kimchi fried rice. At this point you're probably too full to finish it, but it makes great leftovers. Yum! Come for an early dinner (5:30-6ish) or be prepared to wait.
(4)Ha-ti N.
My friends and I always love a good Korean bbq dinner. We make it an event cause its just the best feeling to have good friends around you and sharing awesome food. We've had San Soo Gab San, it was time to try Cho Sun Ok. It was recommended to me by a few people actually. This place did not disappoint. We ordered the cha dol bae gi and nakji bokkeum. we had 4 people with us and we definitely over-ordered. I think on purpose. We also got yuk gae jang and Haemul Pajeon. IT was ridiculous. Dishes were being stacked. There was a plethora of banchan and i must say, the kimchi was the freshest i've tasted. I ate so much and was so satisfied. Be careful not to overcook your nakji bokkeum!! I was surprised they didn't have Samgyeopsal or kalbi that we could cook on our own. that was the only disappointment. They have kalbi they make themselves though. The women there are very forceful but don't take offense. They know what they're doing ;) Will be back!
(4)T C.
For our anniversary, my significant other and I chose to try something new--Korean food. We chose to try Cho Sun Ok because of the raving reviews here on Yelp. We wanted something authentic, and that's exactly what Cho Sun Ok is. When we entered the restaurant, which usually has a long line outside, I felt like I wasn't in the U.S. anymore. The food was fabulous, although most of the time I wasn't sure what I was eating (lots of different vegetables and meats). Because we weren't comfortable cooking, the waitress cooked most of the food for us (the tables have centerpiece stoves). The food is good and cheap--we paid $25 for the both of us. We also got the fried dumplings, which were also very good. Overall, I'd say it was a successful first Korean bite. Note, however, that the staff doesn't speak very good English. Don't go here for the service, either--go for the food and experience. Also, dress lightly, as their A/C is pretty bad. It was very hot, likely because it's a small space and there's a stove on each table.
(4)Ann S.
My boyfriend and I went here this week, and rather than ordering something to cook on the tabletop grills, we both got the octopus in the spicy sauce. The pan chan this time were kind of lackluster. I felt that it's been fresher in the past. The sauce was a huge win. It was very garlicky- but just shy of overpowering. Perfect. The spiciness was just right as well. Both of us felt a little sniffle-y from the heat, but on a cold night, that's a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, the octopus was severely overcooked, forcing us to work our jaws to exhaustion in order to chew thoroughly. To be fair- octopus is a delicate item to cook with and demands a loving hand. Next time, I'll stick with grilling, or a bowl of classic bebimbop.
(3)J. M.
Excellent food! Service that you will tell others about, learn to appreciate, then enjoy, feel comforted by and eventually you will miss it when you are not there.
(5)Kwoky L.
Cho Sun OK uses a gas stove and a stone pan for their BBQ. You grill your meat in the stone pan and all the flavors concentrate in it. Then in the very end of the meal, the servers would come with a bowl of rice or noodles and fry them up in the pan of delicious goodness. Good concept but I do prefer charcoal style BBQ at San Soo Gab San more. That aside, I find that this place has some issues with their service. Servers NEVER smile and I always felt like we are being rushed out the door. The issue is that they grill all the meats for you faster than you can eat. I could hardly eat at my own pace and have a good dinner conversation at the same time. I wish they would stop doing that and let us do the work. Another thing is, they are less inclined than San Soo Gab San to change the grill pan. My mother is allergic to beef and we specifically asked that we want our BBQ squid first before the beef. But the beef came out first and we had to ask them to change the stone pan. The server was PISSED. We tried to explain that she was allergic to beef but she shuts us out and refused to listen. She did changed it in the end though. The fact that she refused to accommodate my mom's allergies is totally unacceptable. I would highly recommend San Soo and other Korean restaurants if you like BBQ and save yourself from having to deal with the servers at Cho Sun OK.
(2)Brian F.
Awesome restaurant with some of the most surly servers that you will find anywhere! I just don't care, as I'm stuffing my face with the best bulgogi in the city and all those cute appetizers that they bring out for free.
(4)Rich W.
Cho Sun Ok is Chicago's oldest Korean restaurant (opened circa 1979), and it still stands as one of the city's best after more than 30 years. I think the quality of banchan (small side dishes) is a good indicator of the quality of a Korean restaurant. The banchan program at Cho Sun Ok is strong - good number of selections, all of which are delicious. If you come, you have to do BBQ. I always get the chadol bae gi (sliced brisket). Portion is generous, and the beef cooks beautifully on the stone grill. Don't forget to throw in the garlic as the grill preheats. After you finish cooking the meat, the waitress will concoct a kimchee fried rice right in front of you with your leftover banchan - what an excellent idea! I love the crust that develops at the bottom as the rice sits on the stone grill - best part of the meal! Other a la carte dishes are great too. The doenjang jigae (bean paste soup) has ample umami without being too salty. The haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) has good ingredients and has a nice crust. Their naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup) is probably the best in the city, with great al dente noodle and savory broth (don't forget to add the hot sauce, mustard, and vinegar) - a refreshing way to finish the meal. In terms of ambiance... let's just say that this is not an ideal place for a romantic night out. Decor is non-existent. This is a hole-in-a-wall and cramped space. Don't wear anything too nice, as it will smell like Korean BBQ for the rest of the week. Service is efficient but brisk. If the old guy (who always stands on the side bossing the waitresses around like a good old fashioned patriarch) thinks you didn't order enough food, his facial expression will show. Don't piss him off. You want to be on his good side. This is my go-to place for Korean BBQ in the city. There is often a long line. So go with friends you can chat with while waiting, and don't forget to BYOB. This is not meant to be a fancy place. Appreciate it for what it is, then I'm sure you'll love it.
(4)Keiko S.
First off, the SERVICE. As many have noted already, it helps to be Korean (or at least be able to speak it) here. Thankfully we went with our Korean friend, also a loyal customer of the restaurant, so we didn't feel as neglected as we might have had we gone alone. Nonetheless, the servers, even the owner, are intimidating. Not only don't they smile, but they work so quickly and efficiently that they make us feel banned from disrupting their pace and routine. As for the FOOD...no doubt, you're in for a big satisfying feast. There's a reason why they don't take reservations (no need) and why so many people can patiently wait in line. They serve you a variety of small dishes ("banchan") that are, according to our expert friend, from the more suburban area of Korea, therefore more rare and authentic. My friends enjoyed the BBQ and the mixed fried rice at the end, in which the server rapidly and randomly mixed the remaining banchan on the table. However, I can't comment on the BBQ as I'm not into beef... Instead, I savored my order of seafood jigae. It was rich, tasty and big. We were also pleasantly surprised by the tab, too...very reasonable. All in all, no complaints! Wait, I do have a minor complaint...and this WARNING goes to the girls especially. DO NOT wear anything fancy here - they will stink! Bring no coat or jacket if possible, but wear something easily washable. Or else you'll end up like me, with my down jacket at the dry cleaner.
(4)Jessica Y.
I love Korean bbq and am always up for trying a new Korean restaurant! Having grown up with many Korean friends and traveled to Korea, authentic Korean food is a must! Just be prepared for the usual bbq smell afterwards in your clothes and hair, as it is a charcoal grill! Of course, we started off with our usual haemul paejon (Korean seafood pancake), which was pretty good! Even though I know how to make it myself, I still love eating it at the restaurant and Cho Sun Ok's is delicious! For the bbq, we ordered our usual bulgogi and galbi, which are marinated pretty well and tasty! It won't disappoint! Since Korean bbq never really fills you up and you could potentially go broke ordering massive quantities of meat (and clog your arteries!), we ordered Suhn Dubu (pretty good!) and chap chae, which was just so so. Overall, it was a fun experience with good food and great service! It was a little tough because none of us knew Korean, but we knew just enough to make ordering easier and even though we ordered plenty of food, it didn't empty our wallets!
(4)Alan W.
One of my favorite Korean Restaurants. It's one of the best in Chicago and is always busy when I go there for dinner. This place is awesome, and the best is when they make the kim-chi fried rice at the end.
(5)Saira C.
Ha seriously the rumors about the service are all true. Last time the woman ignored us 5 times. Brought the wrong things. Slammed in to my friend and knocked her out of her chair, and brought us the drinks we ordered when we sat down after we paid the bill to leave. Yup...it's special in there. All that aside...the food is AMAZING!
(4)Hoang M.
The food was great! We ordered a bulgogi combo for two and it came with an assortment of kimchi. Wished we could have had more baechu, because it was the best kimchi. Fried dumplings were delicious :). I also ordered kimchi soup for appetizer but I didn't like it so much. Service was okay. I mean they can't speak English very well, but they seemed to be very attentive, except when we wanted to pay for our meal. It took them forever to bring the bill the table, but I guess it's because the restaurant was so full. If you want to read more about the restaurant and see how the food looks like, you can go to my blog: vietnamesefoodie.blogspo…
(4)Char Y.
always yummy on a cold day! we always come back for the appetizers and soup in the freezing cold. service is always ok, i think the ladies who work there are just tired.
(4)Nam D.
long line but definitely worth the wait for authentic Korean cuisine.
(4)Connor P.
Food was adequate, service was terrible. If you weren't Korean, you didn't get treated right. Our waitress literally said 2 words to us, and it took her forever just to get us our beverages. I WOULD NOT go back. You're better off trying another Korean restaurant. 1 out 5 stars is a generous rating.
(1)Brian K.
Famous For: (My rating in parentheses) - Chadolbaegi (10/10) - Banchan (Side Dishes) (10/10) Ethnic restaurants are hard to review or to take advice from. After reading a few reviews, some of the things people order and expect from this place are kinda weird. Perhaps to a non-Korean who's been to their fair share of Korean BBQ places, there are certain expectations for every DIY Korean BBQ that Cho Sun Ok doesn't meet, but that's like expecting great steak at a seafood restaurant. Natives have a completely different tongue and set of requirements when it comes to their own food than foreigners. Ever have a hamburger in Korea? They think it's all the rave, meanwhile, I thought it was terrible! So, with that in mind, I'm reviewing this as a Korean.. With a decent amount of traveling on my belt, I want to say that Chicago has some of the worst Korean food on the planet, contrasted by LA that has some of the best Korean food on the planet (better than Korea)! I've been to a ton of Korean places in Chicago (obviously), but nothing compares to LA except for 2 places, but 1 of those closed down, and the other is Cho Sun Ok. Despite what you may have read elsewhere, you need to order Chadolbaegi and go home. Don't bother with anything else. There's a minimum order of 2. Oh, and come here in groups of like 3+ (not too big because the place is tiny), never alone, there's no point. Chadolbaegi is basically very thinly sliced beef brisket. It's got a lot of fat around the edges of the meat. Once you order, they'll bring a portable Butane burner and a stone pan with some sesame oil drizzled on, and start to heat it. Along the way, they'll bring you some banchan (side dishes) and I am very very satisfied with all that they bring out. Not only is a a decent amount, but it's very good! The Korean potato salad is awesome and the kkakdoogi and kimchi are pretty good too. The sliced moo (radish) is excellent! Anyway, the chadol comes out and they put a bunch on the pan and start it. You do the rest of the cooking. Chadol is very thin, so it cooks very fast. Almost as soon as it's on the pan, you can see it browning, so you flip it for a few seconds, and then take it and eat it. You dip it in the sesame oil/salt/pepper mix too. Personally, I just love getting several pieces of meat, lightly dip in the sesame oil mix, and then piling some kimchi, moo, and just taking that in 1 mouthful. I'm the type of Korean who eats very minimal or no rice with Korean BBQ. You have to specifically ask for rice if you want it. Usually, after the meat, I'm already pretty full. But when your meat is about gone, they'll pour a bunch of rice on the pan and all of your left over banchan on top of it. After a while, they'll come back to mix it. Leave it heated for a while, and then they'll come back to scoop it in a bowl for you. This ultimate ending is just amazing. This is why having good banchan is so important for Cho Sun Ok, because of this finale. Because it's a stone pan, even when the flame's off, it's still cooking the rice so you get that nooroonji that's oh so delicious and crunchy + tasty with all the extras on it! Couple things: - Place is TINY! You go for dinner and there's a line, and if there's a line, you will wait a while! - Service - you know how in movies, you'll hear people scream for their waiter? That's how Koreans do it (except in Korean). If you don't, you'll get overlooked. - Smell - You will smell like Cho Sun Ok afterwards. Typical Korean BBQ. - Attire - Stretchy pants! MAN I'm hungry for this now! I realized I just explained how to eat at Cho Sun Ok without really reviewing it. Maybe I'll add an update later.
(5)Dan N.
I've been here twice. People have pointed out that the service was poor. My impression is that the waitresses (they're all female as far as I've seen) are really unhappy. In fact, they seemed unhappy and almost scared in a such a way that it gave me the creeps. If that's not reason enough to stay away, the meat seemed to be poor quality as well. Nothing about this place justifies the long lines I see most days when I walk by. If you want good Korean food, go to Joong Boo Market (Belmont and Kedzie) and eat at the cafe in the back. High quality, and authentic Korean food. I won't be back to Cho Sun Ok, ever.
(1)Mina I.
Wowza. If you have not set foot in Cho Sun Ok Korean Restaurant, you have been missing out big, and I mean BIG. This is a late review but I came here for the first time over Labor Day weekend when my parents were in town visiting me since I had just moved to Chicago for a new job. My dad insisted on only eating Korean food while he was in Chicago so I checked yelp and found this place. The best part is that Cho Sun Ok is only 1 mile away from m For being a full blooded Korean myself, this place is off the chain! For a Friday night, this place was quite busy but we got a table right away and our waiter came by with our drinks as soon as we sat down. I loved that since in the Korean culture, it is all about hospitality. Then, our waiter brought out many banchan. Banchan are small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in the Korean cuisine. The great thing about Korean restaurants are that banchans are always FREE! Yes, free! Banchans are mostly consisted of: - bap (cooked rice) - guk (soup) - gochujang (spicy red chili paste) - jjigae - kimchi (Kimchi is fermented vegetables, usually baechu (Napa cabbage), seasoned with chili peppers and salt. This is the essential banchan of a standard Korean meal. Some Koreans do not consider a meal complete without kimchi) Other banchan that were served were the following: - kongnamul (which are old boiled bean sprouts with sesame oil) - sigeumchi namul (lightly parboiled spinach dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce) - miyeok muchim (a seaweed with sweet vinegar and salt) - musaengchae (long julienned white radish in a sweet vinegar sauce, sometimes with ground dried chili peppers) - gosari namul (prepared fern shoots that have been stir-fried) - gogumasun namul (boiled/seasoned sweet potato shoots) - gaji namul (boiled eggplant) - and lastly, doraji namul (which are boiled bellflower roots) And yes, I repeat, these are all free! Then we ordered the chicken and beef galbi for our main entrees. To be honest, I am very picky with galbi and in case you do not know what galbi is, let me school you. It is made with marinated beef (or pork) short ribs in a ganjang-based sauce (Korean soy sauce). In the Korean language, galbi literally means "rib" and can often indicate uncooked ribs. In this case, our galbi was perfectly marinated and tasted exactly how my grandmother and mom makes back in the motherland. Get your butt here for some authentic Korean food!
(4)Joyce H.
Korean BBQ win. Good Korean BBQ in the city! I've been here twice; first time was a pretty diverse group of people including some fluent Korean speakers who did their magic (excellent experience), and then second time with brother and boyfriend (Chinese & Taiwanese). I'll give my review based on the most recent account. We rolled in at 5:30pm on a Fri night before the dinner rush. 15 min later and we would have been stuck waiting for a longgg time. Inside was warm and bustling with the delicious delicious smoky smell of meat. We were seated almost right away and got our banchan (yum). Tried to ask for the spicy banchan and got a plate of spicy kimchi (diff from the kimchi that came with everything else.) Brother ordered some yukejang and liked it. We ordered the cha dol bae gi and another unmarinated beef cut that was thicker (forgot the name... excuse my noobiness). Delish with the garlic and onion. Auughghghh.. so good. We did expect to be "pushed around" by the waitresses (as others have mentioned), and we were totally expecting them to come over and show us how the bbq is done. Actually, I think we felt relief when they came over and silently scolded us for not doing it correctly. Haha. They care about us, yay! We actually had 3 or 4 waitresses coming over to help us. Some would walk by and push the meat around for us or turn down the heat. They were all very efficient and busy! The best part... the kimchi fried rice at the end with the drippings of the meat all mixed into the crispy deliciousness. That stuff is gold. It definitely filled us up good. The kimchi fried rice at the end is exactly what I think about when I think of cho sun ok!
(4)Phil S.
This is one of the few Korean restaurants left in Chicago that actually still makes decent Korean food. Their meat quality is top notch. Unfortunately this restaurant is in an area that has become overrun with hipster yuppies in the past decade or so. It is a very small restaurant and simply cannot handle the volume of non-Korean patrons that have extended 1 hour plus lines out the door or crowded around your table. Korean BBQ and Korean food in general seems to have become fashionable lately and trying to get a table while rude people loiter at their table long after their meal is finished has ruined the experience for me at one of my favorite restaurants. I am glad that they are doing so well now but it makes me sad that it is so hard to eat here now. If there is one thing that I could convey to the non-Korean patrons of this establishment is to please be courteous of others who are waiting to be seated when you come to this tiny restaurant with your large groups by not loitering at your table. We can all enjoy this place if common courtesy is observed. Oh yeah, it's BYOB now. They used to sell liquor without a license for ages but with the gain in popularity came the scrutiny of the city. So if you're wondering why they don't carry soju or beer anymore it's because they can't.
(5)Bryant K.
Food is amazing as always. Service was good considering that the restaurant was packed. It's one thing if the restaurant is dead and service is bad but you can tell that the waitresses never get any down time.
(5)Samantha G.
I have been going to this restaurant ever since I was three years old and one of the only places I remember my father ever taking me to. I am so sad that I have to write this review over and knock it's rating down to 1 star from 5. I went to Cho Sun Ok a few weeks ago and I was so disgusted by the service my best friend and I received. It was a Monday night and the place was bustling as usual. We started off with the spicy beef soup. The server never came back around so we could order our Bulgogi. We had to flag down the owner's wife to finally order after an hour! We finally ordered Bulgogi as we normally cook on our table, however the server decided we didn't need to cook, so she just brought out a plate of Bulgogi for one!!! I was extremely pissed off by this point. Through it all I did not complain or make a scene, although I thought about flipping the table (like Theresa did from The Real Housewives of NJ)! Then the owner's wife rudely shoved a chair into me, which she had taken from another table to make room. The entire disaster lasted almost 3 hours without an apology or attempt to make things right. I could not believe how rude they were to my friend and I! I have seen and heard things about them being rude and racist, but did not want to believe it until now. My friend is Puerto Rican and I get mistaken for it all the time. These people should be ashamed of themselves! When I came in with my Korean detective friend, they were oh so nice and even gave us things that I did not even know were available there! Now, that is suspect! I honestly wanted to cry because I felt as though I lost a family member. I will never return to Cho Sun Ok...even if they were the last Korean restaurant on earth! THEY JUST LOST A VERY LOYAL & LIFELONG CUSTOMER!
(1)Gina P.
I've never been to Korea, but I've been to Cho Sun Ok! The food was fresh, hot and delicious. The service was that of what I would believe to be "Korean." When in Rome, ladies and gentlemen. I ordered the hot & spicy tofu and beef soup that was super hot and nice and spicy. My friend ordered something that gratefully provided all the itty bitty sides. I'll definitely be back for more, and recommend you try it!
(5)Kelsey H.
WOW! Great small ALMOST hole-in-the-wall Korean place with great food for a great price (5 of us BIG eaters ate for under $70). We had the Chaldo-gui, which was unmarinated thinly sliced beef. We tried to cook it on our own but were too slow by cooking it slice by slice, so the waitress came over and grabbed a hunk and just threw it on the hot stone bowl in front of us. The restaurant was a bit cramped and they were definitely trying to expedite our eating process (which is the only reason for the -1 star)... I felt as if I was in an eating race! BE WARNED!! The meat that comes LOOKS like a gigantic heap, but trust me, it shrinks down when you cook it and it's so thinly sliced (and scrumptious) that you'll eat through the entire pile! 5 of us did order the Chaldo-gui for 4 though... Also BYOB! My favorite food of the night was definitely the scallion pancake. So flavorful, moist, and the dipping sauce (slightly spicy, and I think soy sauce-based) brought another dimension to the already delicious dish! After cooking the beef, they make a "bibimbap-style" rice dish in the stone bowl afterwards, and that was (of course) so yummy as well. Gotta love scraping that stone bowl for the crunchy rice!
(4)Bobo D.
The food was good overall. Not very impressive tho. The cold noodles can be only rated as average, at least compared to the Korean restaurants I have tried in Los Angeles. They are not flavorful as I thought Price could not be beaten though.
(4)Vang N.
My first time here was an excellent experience probably due to the fact that I brought a korean friend and went on a week night so it was less busy. I craved for some kbbq so I came here for my second time. Unfortunately, I should've known better than to come on a busy weekend. I can understand that when it gets really busy, the waitresses forget about you every now and then. My friends never came here before, so I strongly recommended it but left them disappointed and me, embarrassed. My friends and I waited in line for about an hour because we thought it would be worth the experience. When we were seated, no one gave us any water. We had to ask for water 4 TIMES! Even after the side dishes and meat came out, there was still no water! Also, when we asked for a refill on side dishes, the waitress just kept nodding and walked away..but never came back with anything..not even a stop at our table to check on us. We asked for side dishes about 3 times but by the time it came, we were done eating and still waiting on side dishes. We were pretty much ignored throughout the whole dining experience. The only good thing is the food here is great and authentic but the place is so small and disorganized. I would still come here again, just hoping I don't get the same crappy service.
(3)Felicia L.
Everything was very delicious and it helps with Korean friends guiding is through the menu. The BBQ was very tasty along with many side dishes and the rice which you put in the hot plate to fry is a must! Tried their soft tofu soup which is very yummy as well. Be prepare to stand and wait in line as no reservations taken. If Koreans are recommending it you should be sure it's good!
(5)Xi L.
I am not sure why this place is rated so popular. My two visits did not give me enough convince to make a third trip. The first time there I was sitting at bar and have one bimbinba and soup. I would say it's just at par. You can get it in either Del Seoul or Gyu. The second time was yesterday and I went for the beef on stone pan. First, I waited for more than an hour OUTSIDE with freezing wind. Second, the service is really poor. They kind of push to order, push to cook and maybe push for leave then the others can sit and order. I would say that's fine if I enjoy the taste. Again, it is simply at par. Sorry. But my home made BBQ beef with BBQ sauce I bought from hmart is way better than this. Maybe I should open another one nearby. Also, I am not sure why the fried rice at the end could be the so called highlight. It's really again under par. If you can add more spicy sauce, it could be better. But have you tried to make punched egg fried rice with sausage at home? You will know why the fried rice is under par. Overall, I think this one is overrated and I would not go back intentionally.
(3)Brigitta k.
Food is pretty good, but service is so horrible. Walked in and no one greeted or say anything to us, gave us a table and 10 seconds later made us share our table without asking if it was ok. Never again!
(1)Haydar M.
whoever gave this place a rave review either has horrible taste, or is into eating rotten meat that made us feel like we were eating cat/dog. wtf. the place was horrible! horrendous, horrid, horror.. we came here because we felt that san soo gab san was too far to get to. but omg.. the food was so bad (while the side dishes were fine) it was the meat, that just made us squirm for 3 days straight.. bad bad food. if i could give this place 0 stars i would have.. terrible! avoid!
(1)Aaron B.
When we arrived the place was full except for one table. we got lucky and were sat very quickly. This was one of the few highlights of this lunch. Once we were sat it took 10 minutes to get menus and water. We knew very quickly what we wanted and then waited a long time again for her to come back. When she brought our food she knocked my wife's spoon and napkin on the ground. She never came back to replace them. She never came back to fill our waters either. We were missing some of the sides that other tables had but we never had a chance to ask why didn't we get that. The only time a waitress approached our table was when they were rushing us out and she grabbed our plate of thinly sliced meat and dumped it in our stone sauteed pan and said I needed to cook it all at once. I on the other hand was searing small amounts of meat to get a better flavor. Now I had a pot of boiled meat in juices. I guess I was taking to long. When we were ready to pay we waited again so I just got up and approached a man who I think was the owner and paid. oh yea the other highlight was the Korean pancake. Very good!
(2)Glo K.
Koreans have critical eyes and critical taste bubs when they walk into a Korean restaurant. How do I know this? I'm Korean, and I grew up eating endless amount of Korean food because my mom is an awesome cook (shoutout! :P). My parents like to go all out when it comes to Korean food, and we enjoy ordering family style, which I definitely recommend doing in a group setting. Your table can taste a little bit of everything and this is definitely a "must" in a typical Korean family dinner outing. My family and I ordered the cha dol bae gi ($24.95, thinly-sliced brisket cooked over a stone pot), yeolmu naaeng myeon ($7.95, buckwheat noodles in cold beef broth; perfect in the summer), and some spicy tofu (appetizer). On top of the order, we were served a plethora of panchan (small side dishes) which is always free. At the end, the waitress will create kimchee fried rice with your leftover side dishes on the pot you cooked your meat. They leave the rice sit for a bit so the bottom of the rice gets crispy! I love it! Everything was delicious. I loved the social aspect of Korean bbq. Friends and/or family are cooking, eating, and laughing at the table around a communal fire. If you have never tried Korean food, I would recommend trying out Korean bbq first. Cho Sun Ok is definitely worth trying and will make newbies fall in love with Korean food for sure. I'm deducting one star because it's a little pricey compare to many other Korean restaurant, but I would most likely take friends here to eat and impress. Warning: please plan a strategic time to go because it gets very busy there :)
(4)Jimmy S.
Don't go here for the service, because it really does suck by any conventional standards. Don't go here during peak hours if you don't want to wait in line. Definitely don't go here if you have anywhere else to go afterwards, because you will reek like burnt Korean food. But this is one of the only places I'll go in Chicago for Korean food because it is simply awesome. Get the chaedol (what everyone else is eating) and enjoy it. Right down to the amazing fried rice w kimchi, beef fat, and leftover sides. If possible, do yourself a favor and drag a Korean-speaking friend with you to handle the brutal servers.
(5)David L.
There's a reason there's a line always out the door at this place. The chadolbaeki meat that is their bread and butter is excellent and also their seafood pancakes. My sister in law, who is a native Korean, fashion designer now living in NYC, moved to the states about 5 yrs ago. She said, " this is possibly the best Korean food I've had since being here." That's probably all the endorsement I need to give
(5)Jennifer G.
Service not very good. Dirty and dark- Not a pleasant atmosphere. Food was kind of cheap, tasteless and weird menu- limited, unspecific, confusing, NOT vegetarian friendly!
(1)Cherie R.
My parents and I started coming here way before it got popular - I can't even remember when! The specialty here is the chadolbaegi - super thin slices of beef brisket grilled on a super hot stone grill. You dip the pieces of beef in a mixture of sesame oil, salt, and pepper, and eat with the green onion salad. Heaven in a bite. :-) The banchan are good, the mul-kimchi fantastic, and the fried rice at the end they cook on your stone grill with all your leftover banchan is the BEST.
(5)Elisabeth E.
This Korean restaurant is AMAZING. It's so delicious! We have been searching for a good Korean food place since we moved here and that is the one area in which we have been dissapointed...until tonight... I read the reviews below and thank you for the tip that you have to wait in line...we had wait at 7:45PM on a week night...but it wasn't too long and it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!! The pajeon (veggie) was perfect. Their bulgogi is delicious and we had the kimchi chigae was delicious...I usually can't eat it because it's too hot and spicy but this was perfect. Spicy but not so bad that I couldn't handle it. All around this was an amazing meal. Highly recommend!!
(5)Kristina B.
Very very bad service. Didn't even get to try the food because we sat at our table for 20 minutes without being served. The waitress threw our menus at us, literally with chop sticks and then never came back. We did see her occasionally serving other tables that were seated after us. Could not get over how rude they were. We were really excited to try this restaurant and went for a special occasion. Our night was ruined by the bad service and rudeness
(1)Janna Z.
You may wait a bit to get seated. You may get scolded for not doing everything correctly. You may not get a new spoon if you drop yours on the floor. But you will love it.
(5)Ericka A.
The food is great! The service leaves something to be desired. I've heard Korean restaurants can be notorious for leaving you hanging, but this was just ridiculous. I called to reserve a table and was told they don't allow it, so we showed up early and got in line. They don't take your name either. You literally just wait your turn. There isn't much standing room and the line went out the door. It's fine during the summer. I wouldn't want to attempt this in the winter. We were seated and ordered the Bulgogi, Seafood Pancakes and a soup. Everything was absolutely delicious. We couldn't have asked for much better. I don't think the ladies trusted us to cook it ourselves. They did it for us and not others. We're done with our meal and we have to wait for our waitress to come back. About 10 minutes pass and she is nowhere to be found. We ask another waitress for a box and the check. We wait. We ask a third waitress for a box and our bill. Nothing comes. Our waitress returns and... Nothing. I think we asked 3 or 4 different women for boxes and a soup container multiple times. We get our doggy bags in order and now we're waiting for them to finish running our payments. We spent 30 minutes waiting for a table, 30 minutes on our meal and a mind-boggling 45 minutes trying to wrap up our leftovers and pay. I highly recommend the food, but only if you have nowhere else to be in a timely manner. Thank goodness they are BYOB. I need alcohol to deal with this kind of annoyance.
(2)Jon H.
After living in the neighborhood for 18 years we finally ventured in with a party of 8 for dinner on a Tuesday night. We arrived around 6:45 and got the last table before a line formed at the door. As other reviewers have commented the service is brisk and it pays to know what you want the first time the waitress comes around because if you hesitate you'll be left waiting. The good news is that the menu is very focused so ordering is easy. We ordered four entrees (1 un-marinated beef, 2 bulgogi, 1octopus) and the seafood pancake as a starter and had plenty of food plus fried rice to take home. Everything we had was great and the side dishes were numerous and flavorful. For the un-marinated beef the drill seems to be to put some of the garlic in the pan and then add the meat and cook as you like then eat it with the side dishes. The communal cooking was fun but the table does get warm from the burner and stone pan. After you are finished with the entrees the server makes fried rice in the pan and it is the best I've ever had with leftover bits of meat, vegetables and octopus plus some of the side dishes added. I'll be eating it for lunch today! The place is intimate and the decor is kind of mid-sixties Asian with large blocks of pink salt scattered around the place and ventilation hoods over each table. Our bill for 8 people was $120.
(4)Joe L.
Was in Chicago on a business trip and met up with my sister for dinner. I usually get pizza while visiting Chicago because who in their right mind wouldn't, but this time I wanted something different and was craving my recent obsession, Korean BBQ. Cho Sun was much different than what I'm used to in CA. First, it is not all you can eat and they have you cook the meat in a pan rather than on a grill. They didn't really have much of the ban chan that I liked, but eh, all Korean BBQ places vary on that, so that's whatever. The place was extremely packed and their waitresses were pretty unfriendly. The meat seemed to be pretty good quality and tasted good. It was on the high end of what KBBQ usually is at $25, especially for it not being AYCE. All in all, it was decent.
(3)Maurice H.
I work in a town that for many years until recently had a kim chee factory and a Korean supermarket - in New Jersey. I would buy my gallon of kim chee from the dimunuitive lady who made it, and has been doing so for many years. "I am a kim chee life" she states. I was lucky to have tasted many types, but enough about me. This restaurant is typical of the very plain, crowded (20 minute wait on Saturday night at 9 PM) somewhat noisy BYOB with a solid following only because of the good food. You walk through the kitchen to get to the rest room which was clean and tiny. The trick at many Korean restaurants is to get the servers to smile, and maybe laugh in order to break the typical sterotype of Korean restaurants. Once you do, if you do or even try, it changes your experience. The variety of little dishes that come with the meal are fun, just to figure out what they are. Bulgogi was cooked at our table on a portable gas grill that was well used and needed a bath. The food was great and with many Asian diners, the vibe is really authentic (Korean channel on TV). Excellent food, typical atmosphere and reasonable prices. Like it.
(4)Nick L.
Been here a couple of times and I have to say that the BBQ here is pretty darn good. However, I found it funny (perhaps they were trying to be helpful except for the disdainful looks) that they would grab the tongs from my hands and start cooking for us. At first, I thought this was stellar service, going above and beyond, but it's not. If you cook just some of the meat, they will come over and plop the whole lot in to speed up the process. It's pretty small inside and does get packed and busy so I can understand the thought process but it's just not cool.
(3)May L.
If you're looking for great customer service and food, at least you'll be getting one of the two here. Service could be better, but then again you get that a lot at most AUTHENTIC Asian restaurant. The servers don't speak English so if you're going to attempt Korean food/BBQ for the first time you should definitely go with someone who knows a little bit about the menu. We came here right when they opened to avoid the crowd and the long wait. We ordered Bulgolgi (marinated beef), Galbi (marinated short ribs), Bibim Bap and the Korean seafood pancake. We weren't cooking fast enough so the waitress came over and dumped our meat right onto the stone pot, cooking it that way made the meat kind of stew in its juice but it still came out tasty. The Bibim Bap was bland but good for anyone watching their waist bands since its full of veggies. The pancake was pretty good, not greasy and filled with green onions and octopus tentacles sticking out, yum! My favorite had to to be the Galbi, they cooked it on their own grill and brought it to us. It was tender and full of flavor, I found myself licking the bones clean! Overall great deal especially for the price, just make sure you come here either early or on a weekday and without any expectations of great customer service and you're good to go!
(4)Jung K.
Heard so much good things about this place and I finally got a chance to go. All the reviews and hype held true. The place is not as big as other korean restaurants but the food trumps everything else. I ordered Cha-Dol begi and seafood pancake. All meats are in 2 serving increments. Ordered 4 serving for 3 people. Quality of meat was amazing. Hands down best Cha-dol in chicago area. Flavor and the large portions make it worth every dollar. The side dishes are pretty high quality and very tasty. BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! At the end of your meal, they bring out rice and fry it in the same pan the meat was cooked in. They add all the side dishes and make a very tasty fried rice. My only dissatisfaction was the responsiveness of the service. Had to ask for water about 3 times before actually getting someone to grab the pitch of water. You have to know what you're ordering. They don't mess around with 'oh whats good here' or 'what do you recommend.' I cant imagine what the service would be like if I wasn't korean and didnt know a lick of korean struggling to figure out what to get. Trust me, just get the Cha-dol, you wont regret it. Get in, order the food, eat and enjoy, and everyone is happy. Overall, price and food was great. and I don't think a little lack of attentiveness from the servers is worth docking one star.
(5)Chrissie C.
They have really good korean food. I love their korean bbq cause they would mix every leftover make a fried rice out of it at the end. However, service definitely need improvement. Seems like they are only nice toward their own kind.
(4)Jennifer M.
I have to agree with Kevin W. I don't mind the line so much as I'm very upset with their service. It's become too much like Kuma's Corner. A gathering place but not a restaurant to stay and loiter. There is a reason this place is now BYOB. You're meant to eat and leave the libations for a bar down the street! I come for their share portion, Bul-Go-Gi. For $25, you get a bunch of tapas appetizers, bowls of rice and a large plate of raw meat to cook yourself. What you don't finish, they'll come by and turn it into a Fried Rice dish to carry out. That is my favorite part of the meal. The place is small, cramped and HOT! The Employees don't speak English very well. The overall feel of this place is that you've crossed the Pacific Ocean. Prepare to wait but stay... it's well worth the experiene of good Korean food.
(5)Mandoos G.
this place was a blast. It was our first time doing Korean bbq so I was a bit intimidated as to what to do. Don't worry, you have about an hour of standing cramped together in line next to the diners so you can study how it all works. That would be the only reason this place doesnt get a 5 star rating. I feel it can't be that hard to just start accepting reservations or maybe give people a number when they walk in. Something to make it more civil. Aside from that, the food was fantastic. Just great. You get a bonkers amt of food for the price. It's overall just a good time. The servers don't really fool around though. I suggest going having a good idea on what you already want and try not to ask too many questions.
(4)Stella S.
DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS HERE!!! We were visiting Chicago from houston and came here based on reading a review in the chicagoist. We have been to Korean bbq before and everyone was looking forward to it. The line was out the door, so we knew it was going to be good. After waiting at least an hour an a half, we were seated in the corner. We were all hungry and excited, especially my meat eating 7 year old. Everyone was happy, especially her and she was doing what she does when she was happy. She was whistling. She can't whistle very well so it is kind of quiet and in the din of the noisy resturant no one noticed. But the old man owner did, and got after her (spoke in a rude, firm voice) twice about it. We were very apologetic and she was mortified, because she never gets in trouble. Meanwhile the table next to us is having a good time, but being loud and dropping f bombs. That was ok, apparently, but a kid whistling was not. I wished we had left. But it was cold, and we had waited for so long and everyone in our group was hungry. And guess what? The food was just ok.
(2)Christine K.
Service sucked but I was warned before I went. There is nothing special about the food here and really doesn't compare to any mediocre restaurant found in other cities.
(3)Partha A.
Have nothing to compare Korean food against. Got the beef bulgogi - tabletop cooking of marinated beef. the table was filled with small plates of kimchi n vegetables n pickles. that could fill you up by itself. the beef was awesome - sweet n tangy. although they forgot to serve us the complimentary pancakes. also got the cold buckwheet noodles...it was sweet n spicy. the dumplings are not worth having. these two dishes by themselves make up food for four although it was just two of us. they do refill the small banchan plates. service was dicy...but taking off one star is enough. BTW - gets very busy. we had to wait for 30 mins for a table for two.
(4)Raymond S.
I have no idea what I ordered. I have no idea where I was. I have no idea what was paid. I have no idea what was said. I have no idea what animal I ate. All I know is it was pretty damn good. Don't ask me for suggestions. All I can offer is order the pickled stuff, with the flat things dipped in brown stuff, and order the red sauce covered sliced meat. And kimchi
(4)Anita B.
Apparently if you are Korean, you get waited on otherwise you are SOL. We were ignored, treated poorly and didn't even get our fried rice ending. Like many other reviews, the food was just ok, nothing to write home about, We were rushed through and basically made to feel uncomfortable. I don't care how good the food it, will never go back. There are plenty of other places that will be happy to take my money. Also, it wouldn't hurt the owner to clean the place up a bit, the hoods over the tables are hanging with dust.
(1)Susan S.
Good food but small place. Pace too quick
(4)Doug F.
Been there about 10 times now. Each time the food was excellent. Prices cheap. Leave Happy. Already taken all my friends and family. I recommend: Daegu Maeun Tang (Spicy Cod Fish Soup) The Bul-Go-Gi (Marinated Beef) Doeji Gui (not so Spicy Pork) Yukagae Jang (Spicy Beef Soup) Goh-Deung-Eo Gui (Salt Grilled Mackerel (surprisingly moist)) Jab Chae (Pan stir fried vermicelli noodles with shredded beef and vegetables) Skip the goya/pot stickers (bad, store bought?) Service is ok. The servers are not exactly "smiley" but efficient. However, on three visits they forgot my Coke. Decor is eh too. But the Food and Prices more than make up for lack of Ambiance. Most of my friends who have gone here rank it in the top three best Korean Restaurants in Chicago and add in the low prices it becomes my "Goto Korean Joint."
(4)Alan K.
Cho Sun Ok Restaurant is located on the corner of Berteau and Lincoln. Initially, I thought at first that I had to pay for street parking when in fact, street parking is free....a rarity in Chicago. Too bad I parked far down the street. The restaurant is a small establishment. There are only several tables, some of them have grills built into them and some of them use the portable grills. I ordered food that did not require the grills. I ordered a Soon Dou Boon which is Tofu Soup essentially. It either comes in two selections at this place, either beef or seafood. This place did not give me the option to select the spiciness. One thing to note, I think next time I come here, I would do it at off hours because those Korean ladies were just running around the restaurant like crazy. I left bad for them. When my beef tofu soup came, it was accompanied by a good assortment of ban chan (side dishes). The soup was somewhat spicy, just the way I like it although I wish I had more water to wash it down with. It was difficult to get a waitress to fill my water cup because they were extremely busy. I really enjoyed eating here. Another note, I sat adjacent to the door which was not very good because when someone opened the door, it directed a cold draft to my back. I will definitely suggest to them that I would prefer to sit towards the back of the small restaurant if possible.
(4)Kenneth Y.
This reminds me of the good ole times when I lived in SoCal. It is a great representation of what Korean food is all about.
(4)Tim H.
Good service, seafood pancake and fried rice made with the leftover meat, side dishes, and kimchi are the highlight. They cook the meat for you at your table so no need to start cooking it yourself. I found the meat a bit dry though.
(4)Laura C.
Korean food like home. Wait staff is so nice. I have come here many different times and the staff always treats me the same. It is a far drive from the burbs and sometimes there is a long wait, but it's worth it!
(5)Michael S.
Oh my... second review in a few days that I need to update after mentioning it to another yelper! So service... well it was seriously lacking when I wrote my first review, but it was totally fine the last time I went (and I didn't even have to recruit a Korean friend... I'll still go with you though, Brian K.) Service wasn't the best, but it was good the last time I went. Maybe it has to do with timing as it does get really busy. Ordered correctly this time with the Cha Dul Bae Gi... Sooo delicious and the lady gave us more banchan after she asked if we wanted more! The lady cooked our food for us and just was great for that though she wasn't friendly... It's cool though... For people who are hesitant about going because of the service or some negative reviews, take it from me who has to update his review. It's good stuff over there. Order the Cha Dul Bae Gi and you'll be fine! Also, Props to the barley tea they serve you too. It's not jasmine, but it's good.
(4)Alice M.
Story time! So I was back home in Chicago, and my mom wanted to bring me to a late lunch. As she was picking me up, I started feeling extremely sick. By the time she got to my sister's apartment where I was staying, I didn't even feel like moving. My mom thought it might just be that I hadn't eaten in awhile (with the flight and sleeping in), so she brought me to Cho Sun Ok, the closest Korean restaurant nearby, to make me feel better. We were seated at a 4-person table and we ordered dduk gook (rice cake soup) and soondubu (spicy soft tofu soup). Feeling sick, I sprawled across the two seats on my side, only occasionally getting up to have a bit of the dduk gook broth (which was good by the way!). My mom finally decided that we should just pack up the rest of the food to-go and go back. As the bill was coming, I really felt like I was about to throw up, so I headed to the bathroom. BUT one of their employees had just walked in as I was walking towards it. I hurried back to the table and told my mom I had to go outside to throw up. Though she looked worried, she asked me to wait until she handed the waitstaff our bill. With my back towards the rest of the restaurant, I couldn't hold it in anymore and I threw up into the empty bowl!!!!! Some splashed onto the bill and cash. My mom tried to dry it a bit with napkins, but it was still a bit damp as she handed it to them. Embarrassing. In any case, thank you to the restaurant for being so helpful and understanding. Also, I didn't have a ton of the food, but my mom mentioned it was good. I hear they're known for their chadolbaegi -- I'll have to try that sometime. Their prices seem very reasonable, especially since Korean can be expensive sometimes, so next time I'm in town, I'll have to give it a REAL try.
(4)Yina S.
My favorite Korean restaurant in town! Must get the thin sliced beef!!! (cha dol bak ee) They mix rice and other side dishes on grill after you are done with your meat. (Super good!), so make sure you leave some room for that!
(5)Meredith P.
YUM! This place was awesome! I went with three other girls to try this place out on Saturday night for our monthly BYO dinner. One of the best parts about going out w/ these girls is that they are always up for trying everything and anything. Our entire party arrived at 7:30 and were seated almost right away. The place is definitely bustling and if you sit too far out on your chair you might get an elbow from a waitress trying to get through...but it would still be worth it. We ordered the #5 which was a seasoned beef that was cooked right at the table. With that order we got about 12 side dishes to try. I pretty much have zero idea what any of it was but for the most part they were all pretty good! The beef was SO good- seasoned and cooked perfectly. FYI- you have to order the #3 or #6 to get the fried rice. In addition to the beef we got the seafood pancake and the fried dumplings. The seafood pancake had shrimp and I think some squid or octopus, with peppers and jalepenos. The dumplings were pretty standard but good. My friend and I were commenting that even the rice tasted better here than other places! Service was attentive enough, and because everything is already on your table you don't really need a waitress except to bring you a corkscrew. Overall- definitely go! Don't let the reviews of the long lines scare you off.
(5)Jessica V.
My review is based on one experience here, and I will start of by saying that we will be back, but our first experience could be better. My boyfriend and I came here in the middle of the week last week for a random night out. When we arrived, there was a bit of a wait, but I think we got seated in about 20 minutes. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but the tables seemed to turn over pretty quickly. As soon as we sat down the waitress asked us for our order. We had NO idea what to get, having never eaten at a Korean Restaurant before. We ened up taking a few minutes to look over the menu and opted for the Seafood pancake appetizer and the bulgogi. We had wanted the fried rice that they make at the table, but we didn't realize that you had to order specific things in order to get that, oh well, next time. The bulgogi was awesome, as was the pancake. The prices are very reasonable and the service is very quick. Our only complaint is, we really ordered blindly, and our waitress made us feel a little rushed and didn't give us any guidance as to what to order. While it was technically our fault for not looking into what to order before dining here, she could have been a little more helpful. We will definitely be back, and this time we'll know what to order.
(3)Katherine R.
I stay down the block from here, and it is a keen restaurant, busy every night, and is kiddie corner to a nice coffee shop across the street for dessert.Outside this restaurant as you are walking by brings you in attention with mysterious vegetable aromas coming from inside the kitchen. After several months my curiosity of what could be steamed broccoli or I even thought the strong outside aroma may have been cooked cabbage I didn't know, and I wanted to try something new. Korean food is new to me so this was my first time ordering such an exotic array of potent tastes and aromas from the healthiest way to eat vegetables (raw or fresh). Upon walking inside the restaurant there is cooking of fresh vegetables and meats in the middle of most tables. I ordered the spicy squid and a spicy red broth with sprouts. The sliced zucchini was very good, and over white rice made a colorful presentation of a large quantity that lasted me two days of a firey take-out meal.
(4)Haeri J.
I try to hit up Cho Sun Ok at least once every time I visit Chicago. Last time being mid/end of December. Just a few heads up about this place, and restaraunts like this place. 1) The waitstaff here consist of about 3-4 people on a normal night. One curly haired women is EXCEPTIONALLY nice. There is another who is the opposite. I will let you find out for yourself. ;) By the way, it doesn't matter if you're white, asian, or whatever. The rude one is sort of always rude/curt. Haha. 2) This is a Korean BBQ restaurant. Have you ever been to one before? There are two types of Korean BBQ restaraunts. One is where they give you meet and let you go at it! Second is a very frequent style in which the wait staff will cook for you in front of you. Now, on a busy night that may seem like a way to get you to eat your food and get out of there. (True it may be) But that's how these kinds of resturaunts WORK. In Korea, and ultimately the States. Yes they will grab the tongs from you if you look like you're having trouble, or if you're too busy eating they will grab the tongs from the table and cook it themselves for you! If you don't like it, just tell them "Oh could you wait to cook the meat?" politely. Just say something. Don't just sit and take it!! If it's cooked enough you push the meat to the edges, and lower the heat. That way it's there for you to eat it. Anywho to continue, besides their meats, and what not they have a plethora of other Korean dishes. It's always in good nature to end with a chilled bowl of "Neng-myun" which is chilled noodles. I personally like eating that along with my meat but if you don't tell the servers that, they will wait until the end to give it to you. This place is BYOB, so if you're of age, maybe bring a few bottles of beer or if you forgot you can just go to the Jewel about 5 minutes walk down and grab a 6 pack of something. Also, this restaurant is not very big. If you decide to come during the dinner rush, you'll find that there is a line going in and around the place. Good luck! I really like this place because if you're headstrong, patient but not rude the servers will give you what you want. And it's damn good.
(5)Stephen K.
Been here twice. Food is great. Everyone should get the bulgogi. Galbi is alright, had better. Lots of side dishes to eat. Service is alright, typical korean restaurant service. BYOB. Lots of none Koreans each time I went so no one should feel uninvited.
(4)Mayank P.
There is a wait, but it's worth it. The service is okay, but the atmosphere is fun. I've never had octopus before, so I can not compare... It was chewy, little bit bitter. The other food was good. First time at a Korean BBQ, not a bad experience.
(4)Ted C.
Cha dol bae gi is the way to go here, it's the unmarinated beef slices that you cook at your table-a little range is brought to your table with a stone pot with oil in it. Ask for some naeng-myun, cold buckwheat noodles, it goes well with the meat. I'm usually near bursting at this point but the best part is when the servers come by at the end and dump everything in plus rice. You don't want to mess with their mojo-a friend of mine thought he could do it but it turned out bad, let them do their thing, and enjoy as much of the rice as you can. I want to note on their new look. I know they remodeled a long time ago but I'm still surprised by it. They used to have stuffed game birds near the ceiling, which makes me wonder if the pheasant and other game birds are off the menu. The phone booths are now closets, which is a good use of the space, I guess-I'm kind of surprised they didn't try to turn it into a really skinny booth. It's weird to see a lot more non-Korean people here. I've been here a few times with family and it was always a little hole in the wall kind of place and I think word of mouth started to spread. I've never really had issues with their service-although I'm Korean and when I eat at Korean places I don't really put a lot of stock into table service, be advised though, the busier it gets the more you'll have to do to get the attention of someone who works there.
(4)Hans H.
Said to be the first Korean BBQ in Chicago, this place deserves the high marks that people have given it. But it also deserves the low marks too, mainly in the service and experience. The highs: The meats and dishes are excellent. Don't pass up the seafood pancake and sides like the chap jae. The meat here is so very good that you should definitely try getting some of the unmarinated meats. They'll do the table cooking for you somewhat too. The Lows: Service. Because the place is so small, they seriously rush you in and out so they can turn over as many tables as possible as fast as possible. Do not expect a friendly look if you hang around too long after finishing your meal. The moral: Come prepared to eat delicious Korean BBQ. Don't come to hang out. Don't come to be pampered. Don't come expecting a manicure and hot towels. Expect to be burned by splattering oil and smelling all smokey from the delicious things being cooked 2 feet from your plate.
(4)Eric S.
Ever since this place was featured on "Check, Please!", it has been nearly impossible to get a seat during regular dining hours. Go early or late or you will end up standing outside for a while. Known for its BBQ, so I usually order the non-marinated beef that you cook on the stone-pot. Plain beef dipped in a salt/sesame oil is to die for. Lately, I've been getting jigae with it and opting for the sun-dubu (seafood-tofu casserole) or kimchee jigae. As with all Korean BBQ's, leave any personal belongings that you do not want to smell like charred beef in the car.
(5)Karolyn S.
The best thing about the experience here was the walk through the kitchen to the bathroom. I got to see an older woman elbow deep in beef and blood. Awesome. Didn't gross me out at all; in fact, it made me love the atmosphere. Really. It did. Kind of true to culture. But that's where the fun stopped. We began our examination of the menu. While there were only two of us, I like to look at all my options, especially at a restaurant I've never been to before. My date and I were asked five times in 2 minutes if we were ready to order. We finally succumbed to the pressure and just ordered something from the table top for two. My belief is that when you go out to dinner, especially in a city where there are so many options, you should be able to relax a bit. The sour-pussed waitress came back and threw our ingredients for the table top at us. Some of the sauce actually spilled on my shirt. Soy sauce on white. Great. No apology. Just threw the beef in the pan at our table and handed us the tongs to cook. That's great. I love interacting with food, but it seemed that every other table was getting a bit of a demonstration as to what to do and how. Not us. So we winged it. We tried everything from the bitter seaweed to the pickled veggies. It was okay. Nothing great. My date was afraid to ask for a fork due to the rude behavior of the waitress, so he struggled through with chop sticks. We had leftovers partly due to the fact that we were reminded each time the waitress came back to see if we had put money down for the check that there was a line out of the door. If you want a relaxing dinner, this isn't the place. I left anxious and not at all satisfied with the food. I will never be back. There are far better Korean bbqs elsewhere in the city where they actually treat you like a human being and appreciate your business.
(1)Wenbo M.
Food is OK. But the service is the worst one I've ever meet. Will not come back again!
(1)Steve K.
Pleasantly surprised to find authentic, delicious Korean food in Chicago. My cousin and I were in town from L.A., and took our friends here after reading some great Yelp reviews (Thank you, Yelpers!!!!). We were all blown away. Ordered the combo #6 (thinly sliced brisket, cold soup, and kimchi fried rice served at the end), seafood pancake, and spicy octopus. Food was sooo good. Don't think the waitresses appreciated my cousin and I comparing everything to L.A. Korean restaurants. LOL. Think one told my cousin, "this is not how we do things in Chicago." LOL. B.Y.O.B. There's a Jewel Osco two blocks away, and Half Acre BrewCo is within walking distance.
(5)Lina W.
My favorite Korean restaurant in the city. Why? A ton of meat/food for only $24.95 before tax/tip per couple if you order the cha dol bae gi. Also BYOB! The service is very speedy and may appear rude to Westerners. The servers might seem like they're rushing you when they stir and serve the food in your stone pot for you because they want to help you cook properly. The only downside is that it is too crowded every time I go there and I have to wait a good 20 minutes before i can get a seat. Parties of 5 or more will have difficulty getting a table in under 1 hour on busy nights.
(5)Laila C.
delicious but I felt like a little child after being scolded by a strict parent. So for all you non-Koreans out there, here's a TIP. ONLY THE #3 AND #6 COME WITH THE FRIED RICE AFTER YOU FINISH EATING! Don't make the same mistake as us and order a #5 then ask them to make the rice. They sure did set us straight! Also I was confused by this place because all I wanted was grilled meats for lettuce wraps and I didn't know which one that was on the menu. ANNND they threw away the rest of our food when we wanted to take it home. All in all, exactly as the yelpers described it and delicious!
(3)David M.
Everything is delicious, but not as filling as I was hoping for. The marinated beef/octopus was excellent.
(4)Thor V.
The wait to get in the door was more than half an hour. They don't accept reservations either. I had read the other user reviews, but didn't believe the service would be THAT bad! The waitress was trying to change our order for us and kept confusing us. She had absolutely no manners when trying to put the side dishes on the table. She would basically shove her way in and say something mean. We were confused about the meat when it came out. We ordered four plates of raw beef and only received one. Apparently it's not like other korean bbq joints where you cook the meat a little at a time. She came and just dumped our whole plate on the grill. We also did not receive any rice to go with our meal. We did ask for it, but they only brought a few for our party of ten. At the end, she came and dumped some things into out leftover meat even though we weren't finished. It was supposed to be fried rice. She walked away and told us not to touch it. Ten minutes later we smelled burning so we tried to turn the stove off and stir the rice. She came back and snatched the stirring spoon and started stirring it while not caring where the rice was flying. Some hot rice even hot one of our group members, but the waitress offered no apology. We also noticed that the white customers were being tended to and got everything they asked for and more! (We are non-korean Asians) The food was good, but it does not make up for the cramped atmosphere and the rudeness/bitchiness of the service. I will never go back!
(1)Rachelle B.
We went out for dinner with friends of ours at Cho Sun Ok, a Korean barbecue restaurant. One of the friends is Korean speaks fluent Korean. This friend ordered all of our food for us. We had a ton of Banchan, kimchi stew, and a super delicious pajeon (scallion and egg pancake). For our main entree we barbecued slices of beef on the grill in the center of our table. Everything was really delicious, even if I don't know what it all was! Our friend basically just rattled off a bunch of Korean words and food kept coming and coming to the table. At the end the waitress took all of our leftovers and dumped it in the grill, then dumped rice on top of it and let it get all toasty. Then stirred it up to make the best fried rice ever!
(4)Oksana D.
Waited in line for about half an hour and it was totally worth it!!! Loved the stove top cooking and the variety of small kimchi plates that came with it. For two people we got one stove top dish with beef and octopus and it was more than enough. The waiters help you cook your food, so no need to worry if you're new to Korean BBQ. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Eugenie Y.
The foods are ok. But the environment is not clean and sitting area is not comfortable. The services are bad. Maybe they are just too busy.
(3)Jenn C.
Living in the East and West Coast for so long, I don't find Korean food out here in Illinois to be very good, however Ban Po Jung is decent. Almost everything on the menu is tasty, but its the BBQ that is to be ordered here. A good selection of banchan (side dishes) and most importantly the banchan tastes good. The indicator of good banchan usually will tell you if the food will be good or not. IMO. This is our go to Korean restaurant when we are in the city.
(4)Stephanie H.
I like this Korean BBQ in particular because it's BYOB. Nothing like being able to bring in whatever beer you want to drink with your food instead of overpaying for their beers. We were able to get a big group in on a Sunday night, although it was a bit crowded and people kept bumping into my chair. As others have said though, the staff isn't exactly the friendliest. As for the food, you get the side dishes (like in any Korean BBQ place), the seafood pancake was good, the bulgogi and kalbi were decent, but the cha dol bae gi was simply delicious!! I would go back for that alone. They also make fried rice out of your leftovers at the end, but I was too full at that point to eat any more. I would say this is a good deal for your money, especially being able to bring in your own drinks.
(4)Chad V.
A-Ok. I took my family here for an authentic Korean experience, however we didn't get many sides, had our meat cooked for us and had to ask for dwen-jahng, garlic and greens... Maybe it was racism on their part but YES I'M WHITE AND YES I WANT MY DWEN-JAHNG! The food was okay, I should probably check it out again as it has great reviews.
(3)Erin C.
Been here a gazillion times since the first visit and food quality is consistent and delicious and so cheap for what you get. Cheaper than lots of places in Seoul. Chosunok is my happy place in Chicago. There are lots of complaints about service in the reviews, but this place isn't for people wanting to get coddled--the reason they can accommodate their long crowds, provide quality comfort Korean food, and keep their prices low is because the servers are quick and efficient. Considering that they are flipping meat, bringing you water and a dozen ban chan dishes (and refills), I have no complaints that they're not smiling and making conversation. If you are unfamiliar with Korean food and how it works, the lack of guidance might be offputting. But its worth it! Order the cha-dol-bae-gi and eat it with grilled garlic, kimchi, and any combination of the side dishes.
(5)Arlene G.
it was crazy crowded in this place on a sunday evening. really long wait but food is worth it. there were 6 of us & we all seemed to enjoy our food. 2 of us agree though that it seemed to have tasted better in the past but it was still good.
(4)Kristine N.
Gooooooooood food, BYOB with no corkage fees, small restaurant but service is quick and efficient.
(5)Nhan P.
I think this place was just average. Service was quick, but they were stingy on the water. The waitress gave us half-filled cups of water and when we asked for more later on, she tried to give us half a cup again. The bathroom is a bit scary--you have to walk through the kitchen--I wasn't sure I wanted to see that before my meal. The condiments were yummy and the short ribs were my favorite. I expected the bulgogi to be grilled; they used a heavy caste iron pan. The waitress dumped all of the meat and marinade in the pan and the meat ended up steaming in the liquid. I wanted Korean BBQ not Korean steamed beef. I heard great things about the seafood pancake, but it was quite a disappointment. The squid was tiny and the pancake was extra soggy and greasy. I've had better.
(3)Lulu R.
Kimchi madness! Do you like an over abundance of sliced meats? Yes? Then Cho Sun Ok is where you need to be. We came here and the line was out the door but my man friend (lol) and his friends assured me that it was worth the wait. Small little place with about 7 booths and 5 tables. All very close in proximity to each other. There is a stovetop on each table for tableside cooking. There is something about tableside cooking that forms a bond...i can't even explain it. All the cooking meats and dish smells wafted together. Fairly loud but it takes getting used to. BYOB and Half acre across the street? DANGEROUS or GENIOUS? We had the thinly sliced meat that looked similar to spam that we cooked ourselves. We also had the Kalbi that they cooked themselves in a broiler up in the front of the restaurant. We had the Pajun (korean seafood green onion pancakes) that came with a special soy sauce mixture with sesame seeds. Our meal came with all these tiny dishes like: kimchi, bean sprouts, rashishes, sliced fishcake, onions, potato salad, seaweed, rice cake, noodles, anchovies, etc. At the end of our meal we had all this extra bits of flavor at the bottom of our pan that was left over and then our waitress put all our left over kimchi, beanspouts, green onions in the pan along with some white rice. WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN that leftovers would make an awesome kimchi fried rice on that little stovetop? It was really good. The prices are and consistent to the neighborhood. Parking is plentiful. So why the three star review, Lu? Well, the service was bad. Real bad. -3 waitresses for this whole retaurant. -They treat you like they are doing a public service and not making any profit from this. -Guy at the counter...posibly the owner? Does he ever walk around and do anything? -Asked the waitress 3 times for some water. The final time shes walking around the whole restaurant with this pitcher of water shaking it around to see who needs it...but totally doesnt look at us. at all. Just passed us by. -No smiles...no thank yous...nothing If this joint improves the service, 4-5 review...easy. 'Til then deal with that. folks. I will give this place another try and I expect nothing less than fair service.
(3)Bonnie A.
This is a very authentic korean restaurant where almost every table would order the same thing..,because it's good, of course! I had a friend who tried to order what other people ordered over and over again and he got it wrong every time. This time he was smart, he asked a customer what he ordered and the guy said, "Get the 'cha dol bae gi'! It's really good!" So now we know what everyone orders...mystery solved. The food was decent. I wish they had more banchan (side dishes); they didn't have that much of a variety. It is definitely a place I would stop every once in awhile. Service was really bad but it's okay. I didn't come here for the service but the food.
(3)h h.
Cho Sun Ok roughly translates to 'pants splitting yum yum" in German. Huh? never mind. Anyways Cho Sun Ok: Great Korean comfort food. I went with a friend a few times and the average bill came onto be about 50 dollars. (including the tip) Normally....this is my game plan I order the Chadolbaegi (sp?) which is thinly sliced meat that has NOT been marinated. That's OK though! Because they include a saucer that is filled with a delicious dipping sauce that is made up of salt and sesame oil. It is so so good! Fried Dumplings- Nice and crisp on the outside, filled with good stuff on the inside. Some kind of spicy soup And then after we are done with all that food they take all the small dishes on the table (like tapas) and dump it into the frying pan with rice. After adding some butter to it, they cook it up into spicy fried rice. Yea. Sounds good right? It is good. Its really wonderful. A++ all the way. I'm going to be real with everyone for a second and tell you that the service is not the best. I was born and raised in Chicago, but my parents are from Korea. So to most of you....that makes me Korean anyways. I like to refer to myself as "American" though. Whatever. I don't care. I have seen a lot of the reviews here saying that you have to be Korean in order to get good service at Cho Sun Ok. I here to tell you that is not the case. A" Korean" such as myself gets treated poorly too. And I speak pretty decent Korean!! (crosses fingers in back) My favorite bad customer service experiences are when you ask them for a glass of water, and then you never see them again. lol. Hilarious! Just grin and bare it. Because the food is great!!!! While your "grinning and baring it" keep in mind that even though the service is spotty, at least they aren't yelling at you or screaming at you. Thinking those thoughts normally makes me feel better too. While your chewing on the gospel of Simon, Remember! You are at a Korean restaurant !!! and.... well...I'll let you draw out your own conclusions as to their track record of customer service. It's really over the top good...or pretty down and dirttayyy. Its about reasonable expectations my little love nuggets!
(5)Melanie S.
Real deal Korean food. My friend and I ordered the bulgogi for two table-top dining, which comes with steamed rice, great kimchee and side dishes. I expected to be able to cook it over an open flame on a grill, not in a pot, so the meat ended up being steamed rather than seared, so I was a little disappointed. The flavor was quite good, and priced at $24.95, it was a huge amount of food for two people, so it was a great value. Our server literally did not utter one word to us. Like literally, not one single word. Nor was any eye contact made. It was kind of funny actually. The food speaks for itself. This place is small and gets crowded. Go early to avoid a long wait. You will end up leaving here smelling like meat, but some may enjoy that. Just sayin'. 3.5 stars.
(3)Danny K.
This place just reeks of my childhood. The oldest and reportedly first Korean restaurant of Chicago according to my grandma who is now 91 years young! What use to be a wonderful hole in the wall, somewhat hidden gem of my youth, is now like a weird hybrid of the old days mixed with a wait like hot doug's! Be prepared to wait for a table and order promptly folks! Ordering here however, is super simple. chadolbaegi. And if you're really hungry, you get chadolbaegi and get one mul naengmyun for every two people. Done. I think it's the best thing they do, and they do it exceptionally well. The naengmyun is also just good enough though definitely not as good as da rae jung. Still, I kinda wish it was like the old days when I could bring my grandma and she'd talk to the owners. Where as today it's more crowded and the ever staring eyes of said crowd are using "the force" to get you to eat faster and leave. Ah yelp, I love and hate you all at the same time... Definitely worthy of the calories. And though I may wax poetic about the past, this place is still one of the best Korean restaurants in Chicago.
(4)ChrisWinnie M.
More pronounced like "jus an ok restaurant." I used to eat here a lot and even brought my girlfriend here for our first date, but I must say that despite the tasty food, the service is getting worse and worse. Anyways if you're a fan of Korean BBQ, defntiteky try this place as the food here is pretty good, but be prepared to expierence a possible oil shower. We ordered bulgogi and wanted to cook it ourselves but the waitress insisted and splashed the he'll out of my arm and nearly got me in my eyeball....good thing I backed away! All in all the food is pretty good here but like i said, the service can be way better since we felt rushed.
(3)Alisa M.
Wow... I'm at a loss of words for this place. The food would have to be about a 3.5 star. The service, not even worth 1 star. We decided to go and try this place since I've never been to it and the bf hadn't gone in a really long time. When we arrived, the place was pretty empty and the service started off ok. They only have 1 washroom and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. I walked through the doors and one of the workers in the kitchen just pointed to the back room. The bathroom was dirty and I didn't like the fact that you walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. Makes me wonder how sanitary the food is...... The other Koreans in the restaurant seemed to be serviced very well. After reading the other reviews, it looks like if you're Korean, you also get extra stuff with the meal as well (like the kimchi fried rice).... which looked very good but we were never offered it. As a matter of fact, when I asked for more ice tea (I think it's an iced brown rice green tea or something), the waitress said, "No, you only get one glass, only water after). Seriously? I would have even paid for it if there was a charge, but again, not given that option. And how much could giving customers ice tea really be? I probably won't be returning to this place unless I bring a Korean friend, but even so, why do I have to bring a Korean friend to a place to get better service. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Customers are coming in and paying for the food, so they should all be serviced the same. Such a shame and I would've liked to have another place as option to eat Korean BBQ.
(1)Kevin W.
I hate that this place had become so popular now that they rush u thru ur meal. I mean, literally throwing your chadolbaegi on the grill as soon as u took the recent batch off, meaning everything gets overcooked or cold. Annoying but with success comes crowds. It's Byob but please do not come and "hang out" newbies with your friends and talk about life and politics. Eat, enjoy your meal, then leave. No seriously. There is nowhere to put ur name on a list, u just have to wait in a cramped line and hope no random ajimas cut in front of u (maybe they know the owner/waitresses, if so, cool fine). Next time I'm seriously coming at 3pm or however late bc I'm tired of them rushin me. Don't park in the lot behind the restaurant unless u wanna have to move ur car midmeal. Kim chi soup was blah as I find it at every restaurant now that I'm eating it sober. Grilled meats r the star here. The signature is the chadolbaegi. Theyll make a nice fried rice at the end meal w remaining pan changs. I would give this 5 stars for food and value, but now with the wait, and having all our meats overcooked b/c they keep chucking the meat on there nonstop at a frenetic pace, well, makes it less ideal.
(4)Laura K.
What a cool experience for a gringo like me! :) My husband and I went with friends of ours who recently discovered this place after vacationing in Seoul. They wanted us to try authentic Korean BBQ (a first of me if you don't count Crisp). I read the reviews before going which left me with absolutely zero expectations for service, so I was pleasantly surprised when the server took our order and filled my water once during our meal. Yes, you do have to wait in line out of the restaurant, but boy is it worth it. I don't have total clarity on what we ordered because we had to order right when we sat down, so we let our friends order everything. I believe we got the #5 and #6 and we LOVED the #6 which was some beef dish with a great flavor to it. We also got the seafood pancake which was tasty, but kind of freaked me out because the seafood had legs with a super chewy texture. We also got the bowl with rice, meat, egg, etc. similar to what is at Crisp which was good, but I didn't love the flavor. But with that said, we really enjoyed the full authentic experience and further enjoyed that it was BYOB and that the bill ended up being around $75 for 4 people (not including tip) which we thought was pretty good for how much food we got. This place would have been pretty intimidating for me had I not gone with someone who knew a little about Korean food, however it is definitely worth a try.
(4)Chris S.
I love Korean BBQ, ever since I indulged in Japan. Food here was tasty and price was great. I went for an early dinner and didn't wait very long. I think this place gets packed during the prime hours... long wait. BYOB is a plus! Food came out super quick. Ribs were great. For the fools that gave a poor rating because of the language barrier - it was probably YOUR fault not theirs. It isn't that difficult, i bet they have a hard time ordering at Mc D's
(4)Laura C.
After seeing lines snaking out the door for Cho Sun Ok, I decided to give this corner spot a try. From the outside, it looks a bit shady, the windows are shaded and the paint is peeling away. When you get inside, it's pleasantly subdued, with light woods, and Himalayan sea salt decorating the many tables, some with built in burners, others with portable electric ones and powerful exhaust fans to help with the smoke. You can either choose to cook your own meal tableside, with paper thin slices of raw beef brought to you among a myriad of sides, or if you're feeling less adventurous, you can order straight off the menu and have your food prepared for you. The BBQ beef for two is $24.95, and if you're visiting on a busy day, the servers might come around and start cooking your meat for you - which in my opinion defeats the whole purpose of ordering it DIY. It feels a bit rushed, like they want to get you out faster so they can bring in another table. While the many reviews on here hint at racial discrimination against Caucasians, I think it's just a general service philosophy to not give a darn about the customers, no matter what color your skin is. They know they'll get people in the door, plus the limited English skills provides somewhat of a barrier to customer service. The whole time I was there, only two non-Asians dined, including one with me. I don't think they were treated any differently. In addition to the BBQ, we tried a cold soba noodle soup that was refreshing on a hot day. With slices of Asian pear and kohlrabi, there was a welcome sweetness and crunch. The hard-boiled egg was a bit gray around the yolk, but other than that, the broth was flavorful and cooling. I made the mistake of leaving my leftover noodles in the fridge for two days, and they turned to big pile of mush. Expect a wait if you're going on a weekend night, but it's a fun group outing for an interactive dinner, if you choose.
(3)Tari F.
After reading great reviews and continually seeing long lines, I couldn't wait to try this restaurant. Finally went for lunch today (Wednesday) - crowded, but no wait. We ordered the Galbi Gui (marinated beef short ribs) and were VERY disappointed. They take the short ribs and slice them in a way that you get a small bone and long pieces of meat - which is pretty common. But then they must pound the meat with a textured mallet - it had more of a consistency of cube steak - rather than beef short ribs. The flavor was okay, but the texture ruined the whole experience. The sides were good. Service was mediocre - no matter how much I smiled at one of the waitresses, she would not crack a smile. I could live that - but don't see going back any time soon for the Galbi.
(2)Ruben R.
We were craving Korean and this hit the mark. Small home style restaurant with delicious food. We had Bulgogi for two and it was great. Service was as expected, but that is part of the magic.
(5)B C.
Cho Sun Ok gave me the great memory that why I need to visit Chicago as often as possible. It is rare that one restaurant could give me that kind of memory. Cho Sun Ok's meats particularly "" is highly recommended. Among all the Korean Restaurants who offers Korean BBQ style cooking I have been, Cho Sun Ok gives me the taste which I call it as Korean Style soul food or/and comfort food. Although, Chosun Ok often has long line of waiting list during dinner time and limited parking lot, it is worthwhile to visit at least once while you are in Chicago or a near area. A few areas that I would like Cho Sun Ok to improve are their service, restaurant cleanness, and their restroom. When Cho Sun Ok has a full of customers and very busy, most customers might be happy to wait patiently until they get their seat: however, sometimes, their patience runs out unexpectedly when Cho Sun Ok hostesses express their frustration to customers. Particularly when non-Korean or Korean customers visit Cho Sun Ok for the first time and need some explanations (menu) from hostesses during busy time, it is very hard to get the desirable answers. * Service: Poor * Price: Average (reasonable) * Atmosphere: Below average (Crowded and a bit noisy when the restaurant has a full of customers, Cleanness of restroom) * Food Quality: Taste is above average and quality is not known yet. * Parking: Limited due to too many customers but there are many available spots on the street * Avoid factor: Dinner time during winter - Due to Chicago's harsh winter and possible long line of dinner customers, you may end up waiting outside of the restaurant. If you are new to Cho Sun Ok, you may want to avoid busy dinner hours. Do not order too many foods since most of Korean BBQs, you can ask for stir-fry rice after BBQ (awesome flavor!). * Recommendation: One hour dinner plan with your friends may not be enough during busy dinner time, be prepare to have a long hour dinner, Try ""
(3)Thongsy S.
Food: 4 stars Service: 2 stars Very very tiny place but good nonetheless. There's usually a wait because the place fills up quickly and with Korean food, people tend to sit and talk and enjoy their food...no rush there. I've been here several times and never realized it was BYOB. We grabbed a bottle down the street from Jewel and to our surprise there was no corkage fee, EVEN BETTER! The service was below par. We had to ask for our glasses (for the wine) twice before the waitress finally brought it over. Our water was not refilled until we had to ask for it. And I felt like the waitress was avoiding eye contact with us because it took us forever to flag her down to ask for 2 small bowls so we can share the spicy tofu soup. Grant it, they were busy and there were only 2 servers. But for some reason, I had a feeling that we were not getting the best service because we were not Korean. I had the same experience at other Korean joints too and everytime I would go eat Korean with Koreans, the service was always much better. The food is pretty good. I love all the veggie side dishes they offer with every meal. It definitely offsets all the meat you will eat. They have really good spicy tofu soup and all of their meat selection for the tabletop cooking is great. Expect to spend on average $25 for each of the tabletop meats. But the rest of the menu ranges from $7-$15 which isn't bad. Note: Side street parking is available.
(3)Jeff S.
I've been to Chosun Ok a couple of times now, and I've left happy both times. Most people will rave about the KBBQ, so I'll keep it short and say that it's good, but nothing amazing. Chosun Ok actually has other really good Korean foods besides the more popular BBQ. I went back a couple of days ago we ordered the japchae (noodles with vegetables and beef) and hae-nangmyun (cold buckwheat noodles with a sweet/spicy sauce with raw skate). We were also served the traditional banchan with some rice. The japchae was served piping hot and everything was fresh. I wish they would put in more mushrooms as I associate good japchae with loads of mushrooms. Overall it tasted just like how my mom makes it, which suffice to say is my favorite. The hae-nangmyun was unexpectedly great. The sauce was sweet and spicy, but there wasn't a lot of the skate fish in there. The ratio of sauce to noodles was off as well - not enough noodles. Toward the end, I got a bit sauce'd out from the sweetness of it. Still good, but overwhelming. 20% more noodles and it would be a perfect ratio. Banchan is delicious here. You might not get as many here as other places, but everything is good, has the right amount of spice and flavor, and really gets you ready for your meal. I'll be honest - I could easily eat a meal here with just the banchan and rice and be perfectly happy. Service is like most Korean places - not the greatest. But we were able to order fairly quickly, the food came out quickly, but after that they were a bit hard to track down for the check. Chosun is a great place to go, but I don't think it's worth waiting for a table for 1hr+ if you go on a weekend; there's plenty of other good Korean restaurants close by that will satisfy your craving if you so desire.
(4)Stacy L.
Warning: Be prepared to be the last served if you are not Korean or white. My husband and I visited this restaurant a few months ago. We waited an hour to be seated (which was expected since it was a very busy night). When we were finally seated, they took orders from everyone else, even people who were seated well after us. In fact, one large group of Koreans arrived after us, ordered, and received their food before we were even able to place our order! The waitress was chatting with the group and cutting their food; she was very attentive to them. Livid, my husband got up, interrupted the waitress, and asked her (politely) to take our order. For context of story, I should mention that I am half black and half Korean (I am fairly dark skinned) and my husband is white. My husband wanted to leave after he noticed that the table across from us were served. I begged to stay because I really wanted to try the food. Anyway, we finally placed our order. We ended up waiting another hour for our food to arrive!! The large party across from us left before we were even served our meal. I don't really know why I insisted on staying-- I guess I was curious to find out how long they would pretend we didn't exist. After probing the waitress a couple times about when the food would arrive, we decided to leave. As we stood out of our chairs to leave, the cook rushed out of the kitchen with the food. We sat back down and ate. Though the food was delicious, I will never give them my business again. I didn't want to jump to the conclusion that we were served last because of my race. I told my Korean friends about my experience. One them has a mom who happens to be close friends with a waitress at this restaurant. She confirmed that they deliberately serve whites and Asians first because they think they'll get a better tip. Talk about a slap in the face!!
(1)Sara M.
So I know that I am an adopted Korean who grew up in an Italian-American family but damnit if that Asian food isn't in my genes. I particularly love Korean BBQ and was so glad when my sister took me here. SO GOOD. The meat, the banchan, the wrapping of food, the mean old Asian ladies, did I mention the meat, the fried rice after the main meal is finished, and the close proximity to extremely hot surfaces. What's not to love? It is small and you are going to have to wait but it's worth it. I wish a place like this opened up in Boston where I live but Koreana will have to do for now. ***I see that other Yelpers have mentioned that it is closed. I hope that it is back open when I come for a visit in the summer!
(5)Jin Joo L.
Like most typical Chicago Korean restaurants and the ones in Korea... don't expect that best or friendliest service. In Chicago, I just don't get it. Why do most Korean restaurants have crappy mean old ladies serving? Do they not appreciate tip? I'd be happy not to leave any if that's how they're going to be... HONESTLY! I give this place a four star because every time I come the food is great! One of the best places for all my favorite and plenty of... side dishes aka banchan. Don't ever go with a big group. Best to go with just one to three people with you otherwise you might need to wait a while. I can't believe I did not find a review that I'd written on this place. So, here goes. I love the bbq here. It doesn't matter that it's not all you can eat buffet. The quality and quantity fits the price. I thought that the prices were extremely reasonable. Which I'd never noticed before. Last night I ordered the chaddulgui, fried dumplings, mul nengmyun, my typical order. The mandoo dumplings were so good. I preferred my dumplings pan fried and filled. Some places don't have large dumplings and they give you so little. Here for just $4 they give you like 12!!!!! MMMm. The Chaddulgui (Thinly sliced beef), looked so small on the plate at first sight, but the more we ate and more we cooked, we realized how thinly sliced the beef was. They brought out the green onions a bit late and I was disappointed yet again that they don't serve lettuce for wraps with the bbq. I improvised with the pickled radish, and the kimchi. The mul nengmyun (cold buckwheat noodle soup)... was okay. Not over the top but decent. I love the garnishes in it like the cucumber, meat, radish, pear slice, and half egg. Half because they split our order for two people. Good sense, people!!!! To top off everything, they fry your rice in the bbq pan with kimchi, some spices, and veggies. We were too full by then so I took it home. Was still great for lunch today. I'm not sure they serve alcohol or if it's even BYOB anymore. I heard they lost their liquor license.. just FYI for you drinkers. The only thing I gotta say that I HATED... The waitress shoving plates around... REALLY LOUDLY AND RUDELY... like saying hurry, eat, and leave. Like.. we're still eating here... can you be any louder? Why don't you just break the plates!!!! Overall at the end, I just pay them right back... I don't say a word and I walk out. Not even thank you or good-bye. If anyone knows of a place that has good service, like Woo Lae Oak... AND great food, let me know. Like by that I mean... a SMILE!!!!!! Don't give me a bchy constipated persona, but why don't you make me want to pay for your services?
(4)Christina X.
Best Korean place in Chi-town but 3 stars only because it's always packed with long wait! Good portions and price! If you get the un-marinated short ribs they make the left overs into kimchi fried rice...so yummy!
(3)Brian P.
I quite enjoy this place. The fact that it is SO busy is a testament to what you get here--honest food with good quality. I had yukgaejang soup and it was quite delicious. --the beef shreds were clearly of high quality (I suppose because all the beef coming through this restaurant is quite high quality) and tasty. There was a good amount of it, too, so it was beyond just "flavoring" the soup. In addition, it wasn't overly or underly spicy--just right. The main attraction is to do BBQ here. I recommend the #6 beef because the thicker slices are just much jucier and toothsome--I personally like the texture of that beef. For sure, use the sauces and spring onions that come with. I have not tried the other items at the back of the menu and so I can't comment on it, but from spying at other tables, there were some authentic treats there too. fun!
(4)Juan C.
When there on a Tuesday night around 9pm. There wasn't a wait. Awesome place. Good food. The Korean pancake was good. Only thing the servers where very unwelcoming. Sort of rushed to get us in and out. Overall great place. We will be back.
(4)Robb H.
Solid. I've had better in L.A., but not in Chicago (equal here, but not better).
(4)Suri L.
Love their BBQ and Soup!
(5)August B.
Any Korean place that Koreans patronize and cook the food gets high stars. Add to that the cool security cameras in the restaurant and you get five stars. don't go here for lunch because I'll be here and i don't want to share. Seriously wish i stumbled in before.
(5)Sandra Y.
This is the best Korean food I've had in Chicago (& burbs). The wait to get in sucks, but what do you expect when you go to a small, popular restaurant? For me, the wait was worth it. Food is amazing. We had kbbq. The price is great for the quality & the quantity of food that you get. BYOB makes it even better :)
(5)April P.
6 months and 6 visits later, and Cho Sun still delivers. Yes the wait may be long, but it sure is worth it to have korean kimchii fried rice My friend noted that IF they had a dining area twice as big, they'd still make a killing. I don't imagine any seat empty if a larger location was in the works Hey, wishful thinking right!
(5)