This was me and my boyfriend's first time experience having Japanese barbeque on a charcoal grill we had to call ahead to make a reservation but upon arrival, I realize we might not have needed it because it wasn't too busy, even on a Saturday night we ordered: -- steak tartar: 10/10 this was a simple appetizer but executed perfectly. the meat was tender and the dish was so flavorful (hope to try their handmade dumplings next time) -- we also ordered the beef tongue, japanese kalbi and japanese bulgogi (we enjoyed all of these) if you end up ordering bulgogi, keep in mind that due to the marinade, it ends up falling apart easily and getting stuck on the grill. we found the best strategy is to roll the meat up, and then unroll it onto the grill to avoid it falling apart as easily besides the meat, I was impressed by how well executed the banchan was too. I typically don't like kimchi but their kimchi tasted so fresh and didn't have an overly fermented taste the way kimchi typically does even their rice was perfectly cooked (you can taste every grain of rice because of how al dente it was) in regards to service, the owner was really sweet and came in to check in with us and presented us with dessert -- I can tell there is a lot of intention and care behind the quality of food at his restaurant I think if I were to give some feedback though, it would've been nice if the wait staff had asked if we had experience with a charcoal grill when we first sat down. it was our first time using a charcoal grill and there is a small learning curve using it -- the center heats up quickly and because of that, we ended up overcooking our first plate of meat. we learned to cook the thinner cuts of meat closer to the outer edge of the grill and to flip the meat more frequently to control cook time better. I imagine we can't be the only couple who struggled using the charcoal grill at first so having some tips from wait staff beforehand or even a short demo would've been appreciated :-) but of course now my boyfriend and I know now for next time read more

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My second time back-- and it was an excellent experience! We had a reservation right when they open and was greeted by smiling faces. We ordered a lot of food including appetizers and meats. The appetizers were delicious; we ordered the pancake and gyoza. Our favorites meats were the tongue steaks, Japanese ribeye and marinated steak. Least favorite was the Japanese sausage- underwhelming. NA Japanese beers were tasty! Amazing service!! read more

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Very dissatisfied. I have been eating Korean bbq for decades. Portions were very small and the charged for extra sides and lettuce!!! I never have heard of that. Sides were very bland read more

I've been wanting to go here since I saw the Block Club coverage of this restaurant and how it's a beloved spot for Japanese baseball players, and I'm so pleased to report it very much lived up to expectations. The owners are as cute and kind as the article made them out to be, and everything was so good. We got a couple of meats to grill including their kalbi and one other on the top of the menu plus tongue. I would say the kalbi and the other one on the top of the menu were the standouts of the grilled meats. We also got the yukke and seafood pajeon, which I loved so much. So good - I would literally go back and get those two things and have a delightful meal. I wish I could have it right now, because I know it would cheer me up. Highly recommend this cute place - even with the famous people rolling in, it's very much lowkey and has local neighborhood spot vibes. 10/10 recommend. read more

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Great place , amazing food and a even better staff , not over priced as well a must go

We moved into the area in 2019 and after years of driving past this place and saying, "I want to try that place!" we finally stopped in! The host/owner was very warm and welcoming and we were immediately sat down near the bar area. She gave us a quick explanation of the menu and then gave us some time to order. We tried the kalbi, sesame marinated pork, and the pork cheek. We also got a bowl of miso soup to try which was different from what we would typically expect, but still delicious! It seemed more home made and had many vegetables in it. It did not seem like one of those soups that was just whipped up just so that they can have miso soup on the menu, but instead a soup that the owners like and are proud to have on their menu. The meats were all outstanding and the servers were very attentive. We are so glad that we finally got the chance to come in and will defiantly be fitting Chicago kalbi into our regular rotation. read more

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Came by for dinner on a weekend. Although we were able to walk in around 5:30, by 7pm when we walked out there was a decent wait for tables. Chicago Kalbi is a Korean / Japanese fusion BBQ place and it was a really interesting experience trying the foods here. The owners are so nice and service was very prompt. Although the interior was simple, it was very lively and loud. The appetizers were all delicious and reasonably priced for the portions. We got the fried oysters which were extremely tender and came with a mild sauce. The meats for grilling are done over charcoal and not gas like many modern BBQ places, which was a fun touch. The meats are all sliced very thinly which was different than KBBQ. They cook very very quickly so be careful for burning. You cook the food yourself (not the attendants). The meat portions were a bit light for the price. You'd need 2-3 servings per person to feel full. Unlike KBBQ the sauces were generally pretty mild. The American wagyu was our favorite, as well as the premium tongue. read more

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Best Japanese bbq in the city! Love the ambiance and all the photos on the walls. Always great service, the woman always working is so sweet

The food- specifically the bbq- Kobe short rib and ton toro- were out of this world delicious. The staff were so friendly and the vibe feels really authentic and homey. read more

Great service and food. We arrived right when they opened at 5pm and were seated. The restaurant quickly filled up to a wait. Go early. It's worth it. Street parking is easily available. Nice selection of saki, otherwise the bar selection is minimal. Basic liquor selection. read more

Chicago Kalbi - BBQ selection- cook yourself - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I loved it. My brother took me here, for his birthday dinner. Everything was perfect and I want to go back.

Chicago Kalbi is a long time Albany Park favorite for unique Asian cuisine. It has more than it looks. Sure the place is small, but they can somehow get all this food out. For many they consider this the best place for Korean barbecue. This is a great long time local business that's been family owned for years. After coming from a few bars, we needed something to eat. In comes this place, or actually we came to this place. This is one of the many ethnic restaurants in Albany Park, and one of the best in the city to get Korean barbecue for sure. Not just barbecue. Of course vegetarians can get something. A few choices. We came later one evening after hanging around at some bars around here. Even though it's mostly meaty stuff, we found a few vegetarian items. We got the Yasai Gyoza, which were pretty cool looking. It's $7 for quite a bit. These are green colored things that look like potstickers. For sure would come here again. It's one of the favorites for Korean in the city, according to many lists and polls. Take a trip up here and try some things. read more

Chicago Kalbi - Yasai Gyoza - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food and atmosphere! Attentive staff. Absolutely delicious and high quality meats, poultry and fish for grilling. Wide selection of sides, potato salad, seaweed salad, varieties of Kim chee. Pictures, autographs, memorabilia displayed of hundreds of athletes who have eaten there. read more

Went here again last night. It's my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The restaurant been open 30+ years and the smell of charcoal and meats just hits different. The owners are amazing and the staff is just the best. read more

What an amazing experience at Chicago Kalbi! I surprised my husband with a birthday dinner there, as he loves Korean BBQ and we had never tried this place before. It was the first time our two tween/teen girls had come with us to Korean BBQ. We were seated in a semi-private space that was perfect for the occasion. We started off with the Pajun, gyoza and miso soup. What a delicious way to start! Then we had the Kobe kalbi and Kobe rib eye along with rice and banchan. The meat was so fresh and flavorful and all of the food complemented one another. The owners and staff are so super friendly; they treated us as if we were family. Everyone was so attentive to us, constantly refilling our water, taking away old plates, etc. And as we were ordering dessert, I casually mentioned it was my husband's birthday. They were so kind, brought out a bowl of green tea ice cream with a lit candle and sang happy birthday to him. It was a perfect way to end the evening! And our mango sorbet was also so good - the presentation was really unique. The sorbet came in a mango half. Very clever! Anyone who has been to a great Korean BBQ place should set expectations that it's not a cheap meal. You get what you pay for; and at Chicago Kalbi, it was worth every penny. We were all raving about our delicious meal, and my girls who are usually picky eaters gave it two thumbs up (or four thumbs, if you count both of them, lol). We will definitely be back again. Thank you to the owners and staff for a memorable family dinner! read more

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This store is near Koreatown, a little far away, but it's really great The service attitude is very good. The environment is more Japanese and very warm. The quality of the barbecue is great and there are no blind spots! ! The beef tongue is also very tender! I ordered the seafood pancake as an appetizer and it was a little small but very good. The egg-wrapped oysters are also very good. They are not the Cantonese oyster cakes, but individual egg-wrapped oysters, like egg dumplings. The last dessert is also very refreshing, not too sweet and very refreshing. The average per capita is about 60 It's a good choice for gatherings with friends. It's so pleasant to have barbecue on a snowy day:) read more

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We wanted to celebrate new year altogether and decided to get some BBQ. I've heard of Chicago Kalbi for a while. This is my first time visiting. First of all, I can tell the environment is clean. Also I noticed the sign that they have opened over 30 years. WOW. I really had a high expectation after seeing this sign. I guess the food must be really good. We got kalbi and other meat. Side dish refill is not free. The food was not that good as I have had other better options. Service is good, we got what we asked immediately. Overall, I don't think I'll be back again for the food I've tried. But I still want to rate a four star and hope they can make the food better soon. read more

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The meat is not bad, but this is more Japanese style bbq. My friend took us here under the context of it being Korean style bbq, but only has elements of K-bbq. The food is good, but nothing super amazing. The price doesn't justify the amount of food you get tbh! It's cool if you're a baseball fan tho read more

Been wanting to try this place for a while, and super glad we did. We were greeted by this sweet lady who took us to our table. We had made a reservation over the phone an hour prior to secure a seat. It was super busy when we came in, but it filled up quickly afterwards. There isn't a whole lot of seating in this place, so I would say making a reservation is a good idea. First off, it took a while for them to come to us to get drink orders. We only wanted water, but I have a feeling that they were a little busy doing a take out order and bringing out a bunch of food to a table when we arrived so I understand. The food was incredible. You can tell they have very good meat quality here which made this a great experience. I do feel like it is a bit pricey honestly considering the place itself seems a little outdated. I feel like they could do a little more to modernize the inside. It feels like it could use some new walls and flooring. I don't know, maybe it was just me, but I'd expect a different ambiance inside to match the quality of the meat and prices. Maybe I'm asking for too much. Overall though, I really did like this place, but it's going to have to be a place to go every once in a while given the prices. We ordered an appetizer, and 3 different meat plates, with no drinks and it was almost $100 with tip AND I still felt a little hungry. Just remember, you're paying for quality and not quantity here. I'll be back for sure though! :) read more

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I've been wanting to come here for some time now. But they are closed during covid for a while and as soon as they reopened, I knew I had to pay them a visit. Their website says not to book online since it won't be honored so I called it in and they put me down for 7pm. When we arrived we had to wait about 15 minutes. They were pretty apologetic, but 15 minutes was really a whole lot. We started off with their Yaki Gyoza. These were pan grilled home made dumplings with beef. These were definitely very tasty. They were perfectly cooked and packed with so much flavor. It was a wonderful dish to start the night. The wife and I both decided to get their Kalbi. My wife ordered their regular Kalbi, and I decided to order their USA Kobe beef Kalbi to compare. They both came thinly sliced but it's obvious the Kobe Kalbi was the winner of the night. A prettier meat and even more delicious meat when cooked. The Kobe beef has much more fat which makes its more juicer and tender. Both were delicious, but I would definitely stick to the Kobe next time, or maybe even try their Waygu. I'm glad I finally gave this place a try and I will definitely be returning. read more

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Extremely delicious k-bbq. The staff is always polite and cordial , we always make a point to stop by. Don't be intimidated by the prices, way worth it. We're from a city where we aren't allowed to have open fire grills, the charcoal makes a difference in the taste. read more

Chicago Kalbi - Two ribeyes , shrimp and the best one of all : pork cheek! - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow, I really appreciate having this gem in Chicago! The restaurant is family owned and has been here for 31 years. I spoke with the wife and she is Korean from Japan, while her husband, who is the chef, is Japanese from Japan. Their food is a fusion of both cultures, but definitely more Japanese. The wait for the restaurant was average, about 20-45 mins, especially since they were busy. And taking names wasn't super efficient, but it's mainly 2 people running the whole show, so it's understandable. The food.... Very good and overall a really good experience. My friend and I ordered Pajun Kakitama Hone Kalbi Kalbi (japanese style) Jumuroku Japanese Wagyu First of all, if you want the Japanese Wagyu, you need to get a separate menu. It was very nice getting a "secret" menu haha Second, it's totally worth it to try wagyu here if you've never had it before and want the experience. It was definitely the best rib eye I've ever had ever. It was super soft, fatty, and bursting with flavor. YUM! The kalbi (Japanese style) was really good!! It was a thicker cut than the hone kalbi and was really juicy and flavorful. The hone kalbi is the Korean style with the bone and it was really good and flavorful, but chewy compared to the wagyu, of course. Don't compare them side by side lol The Jumuroku was my least favorite just because I'm not a huge fan of sesame oil as kalbi seasoning, but it was worth the try! Lastly, the appetizers. The Pajun was crispy, thick, and one of the better pancakes I've eaten. The oysters pan grilled in egg were also really good. They tasted fresh, only a little fishy, and light all at the same time. As for the atmosphere of the restaurant, it was very unique. I loved all the photos on the walls, the signed baseballs, and the fact that the owners cooked and ran the restaurant themselves. They do have some help from other waiters though. So, Would I go back? Heck yes! Would I recommend this restaurant? Most definitely! read more

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Have been coming here for many years and it is always a great experience. It is rare to find a place that has charcoal grilling, and a great selection of meats including Kobe and Wagyu. The only downside is that their bar/drink options are somewhat limited if you like liquor and cocktails. read more

Legit old school k bbq. They use charcoal so nough said. Also they have a very special cut which I forget what it's called in English but it's the meat in between the rib bone and tbe rib Meat which is super tender and flavorful. This is a cut you can't even find in Korea so it's very special. read more

This is a hidden gem for Japanese style BBQ with great Japanese food! I loved the menchi katsu (minced beef katsu) read more

Chicago Kalbi - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was only my second time having Korean bbq, which we drove down from Milwaukee both times. This was my first time at this restaurant and it was a good experience with great food. They definitely hook you up with the sides and will show you how to cook the meat since some of them were pretty thinly sliced and harder to control. It's priced per meat you order. Our favorite meats were the Bulkogi and the Kalbi. You will definitely get filled up especially with waiting for the meat to cook each round. It's a great way to not over-eat! My recommendation is ordering the number of meats as there are people, and then go from there. We were seated in a cute little area that was partitioned, almost like a little room. It was cute and private which I preferred. Definitely recommend checking them out! read more

Chicago Kalbi - This spread though - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

absolutely love this place! Meat and side dishes are always delightful and fresh. The owners have been there for a long time and they're always so friendly and warming. read more

Chicago Kalbi - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time that I went there, there was a mature lady. She was so funny. They are very hospitable. The food is on par with so much seasoning. I was not disappointed and I now I know why they are always so pack! They are worth the wait. The price is for quality food you can't experience just anywhere. read more

My first time getting Japanese bbq did not disappoint! This place has been around for a while and was well worth the trip out of the city. The owners are super friendly, and you could tell they cared a lot about their customers. We tried a plethora of menu items and had some delicious house red wine to wash it all down. The yukhae (raw beef) appetizer and miso beef tongue appetizer were delicious to start the meal. The side dishes were all korean style which I loved. Our favorite bbqd meat was the Kobe ribeye then the beef tongue and then the beef liver was an interesting texture. I only wish the side dishes came with the lettuce for wrapping, but we were told this was an extra charge. A very nice dining experience overall though with great service and excellent quality food! read more

Chicago Kalbi - Yuk - hwe and miso beef tongue - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Everything was so so good! Between the 7 of us I think we had one of everything. Many plates was already gone before I took a picture my favorite is the beef tartar appetizer. This is defiantly my top 2 fav Korean bbq place in the Chicago area. Will..... guess is more Korean and Japanese fusion. P.S: Not only was the food good the servace was also great. read more

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This is a very oddly decorated place. It's been around 30 years apparently and I must have driven by it on multiple occasions without ever noticing it. 30 years in business and the restaurant was packed so they must be doing something right Pros- The quality of the meat was outstanding The miso soup is excellent The rice is excellent The green tea ice cream is excellent Cons- Less banchan given than most Korean restaurants I have frequented Each additional banchan requested is 2$ for a tiny portion. That's nuts. The entree portion is on the small side We ordered the meal for 2 for 49$ plus splurged on an additional 2 banchan for 4$. At that price we should have left full. If you have a small appetite this place is for you :) read more

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My fave Korean bbq. The Kalbi (Japanese style) is so so good! Good service and the dumplings and seafood pancake is delicious! The kalbi much better than bulgogi and will skip the latter the next time. I completely understand why this place has been open for 30+ years. A gem! read more

I would say this is more like Japanese BBQ more than Korean . delicious food, great service. Definitely become one of my favorite BBQ restaurants in town read more

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The food selections are great, the service is wonderful and the sake is great warm! Try to make sure you have a reservation as they get busy quickly! read more

Korean/Japanese BBq has slowly become one of my favorite cuisines to go out and eat. Its the meat, its soju, the sides. The idea of paying to cook your own food may seem ridic to some people but i see it as an experience. Chicago Kalbi is one of the best. Located on Lawrence, this place is pretty hard to find . For me one of the easiest ways to tell if a place like this is any good is the meat quality. How is the taste the texture, and how bloated you feel after (msg).... The meat here is pretty good! We loved the bulgogi, kalbi, and they had a waygu special that was alot cheaper then original. Overall what makes this place the best though is the service. The lady who runs this place is the nicest lady, and im pretty sure she almost works by herself... She taught us alot about the meats and soju and sake... Hidden gem!! read more

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Excellent Japanese BBQ spot with a splash of Korean BBQ elements. The meat quality is top notch and the apps we ordered + banchan were all very good. In particular, the kimchi they serve is one of the best I've had! Am curious if they make it in-house or if it's a brand I could buy..? While the food here was amazing, the service was another story. The staff was extremely friendly and did their best to cater to the customers given the resources they had, but those resources were very limited and stretched thin. We had a difficult time getting seated (took almost 10 minutes before we were acknowledged by someone and another 5 more before we were seated), making our orders, and paying our bill. On the bright side, once we did order, the grill set-up was fast and our food did arrive very quickly. read more

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Best new food restaurant discovery. This is one of the post where i don't want to share to keep this place a secret. The service 100/10. Amazing people. Super clean too for a Korean bbq restaurant. They were super attentive and the food came out fast. This place has the top cuts of meat hands down. I can talk about the quality and service all day, you just have to go yourself. read more

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A friend of us told us about this place. We thought it was AYCE but it was not. We stayed anyway and glad we did. Their meat is amazing but very pricey. We did have some kobe beef that were really sliced very thinly but very good. We did not even order the wagyu beef as it was quite expensive. The rest of their meats were very tender and juicy. The restaurant is cozy and been around for years is what I understand. Would we eat again? For sure since the place was worth every penny. Happy Eating! read more

My best friend and I went and enjoyed every second of our meal! We had kara-age, soju, gyoza, bulgogi, and kalbi. For dessert we had green tea and red bean ice cream. The red bean was our absolute favorite! The staff was very kind and attentive and you can tell there has been a lot of love put into this place. The food was delicious, the experience was great, and we left feeling so satisfied. 10/10 would return again! read more

Great food best service. Very friendly staff, always willing to make it a great experience for you