Came here for the Pulutan event and it was a great turnout! The Bastos bowl stole the show. Garlic rice, toyomanci, the fried shallots, ripe cherry tomatoes, soft cooked egg, and the perfectly cooked Tocino... my mouth waters just thinking of this. By the way, they have happy hour on their drinks, all cocktails and beers I believe are 1/2 off. read more

See all

My boyfriend and I were visiting friends near Bridgeport the other weekend, and they had been eye-ing Kimski for a while now. The concept sounded so interesting... BUT I was impressed! Everything had such an interesting flavor and was the perfect blend of cultures. We ordered: Ko-po wings, mizeria noodles, pierogis, ko-po beef sandwich, kopo salad, and dressed fries. Out of all of those, I would come back just for the ko-po beef sandwich and the kopo salad. The front desk ordering was a little disheveled, but the environment was great! So was the beer! You gotta come out to Bridgeport and check this place out. read more

We basically got one of everything and wasn't disappointed in anything. However, their standard is anything but and you should definitely get it, unless you're a vegan/vegetarian/godless heathen. The sausage itself is fairly big, a little under jumbo size and enough to put down a medium size appetite itself. I didn't share it, it was that good. Sorry, honey. The potskis were pretty good, but the soy cream made everything pop out more. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much without it, it just made it so much better. The wangs were a stand out-I've been kind of Korean Fried Chickened out and I thought it would be more the same but it definitely had it's own flavor, that was neither Ko or Po but really both. I could keep going, but I'm not going to. The food is good, yeah the ordering system is a little funny but service was amazing. We sat there for forever trying to finish everything and the staff was super friendly. The alcohol/beer selection was good and Maria's is right next store if you wanted anything else. A fun spot, well worth the disappearance of the parking lot that used to be there. read more

See all

Okay, Kimski. Points for originality and a really fun space. My friends and I were in the area for an art show and I'm glad we stopped by. I would've never paired pork belly and pierogies in the same meal, but I'm glad someone did. The pork belly was delicious, as were the sausage and pierogies. And Maria's is attached, so have plenty of beverage choices to pair with your eccentric Korean/Polish fusion food. If you're in the neighborhood, Kimski is definitely worth a trip! read more

My friend and I decided to have a socially distance hang last night, we got Covid tests and double masked and decided to get takeout from Kimski near my house in Bridgeport. I love this place and have been a loyal patron for a while. It's a tiny little place and when we arrived to order for carryout, ALL of the staff had their masks down. And we wonder why restaurants are closing due to Covid exposure! We waited outside for our food, wondering; should we cancel? What if they breathe all over the food? What if we get Covid just from being inside? I've been testing everyday for work and double masking when I'm not at home. I have a small staff too, we wear our masks all day at work, we test every morning. Shame on you Kimski staff. So disappointed in your public safety standards and so mad!! DO BETTER! read more

We visited Kimski a couple more times. Once for regular food. We had the ko-po beef, bing bong bowl and ko-po wangs. The ko-po beef was disappointing. The size was dinky and sad, especially the meat to bread proportion. The amount of fries on the plate was also small, which made the presentation look bad. Couldn't get a good pic out of it, lol. The bing bong bowl was the total opposite. Great presentation and great flavor! The wings were smokey and tasty. It was a hit or miss during this visit. We visited Kimski again for the super popular Hanbun pop up. I'm pretty sure they didn't expect it to get as crazy as it did. The kitchen got really backed up, orders got mixed up, the wait was really long and they ran out of items after purchasing them. We waited in line to order for 45 minutes (I expected this), waited for food for a full hour (wasn't expecting this) and had to get refunded for half of our order since they ran out of one item after we paid for it and we never received the other half of our order (definitely not expect this). I won't post these pics since it's Hanbun's food. I'm glad I was able to try their food when they had their own place! Everyone was frustrated and doing the best that they could. They were apologetic for having to give the refunds. I felt really bad for them. I know it's not really Kimski's fault, but I'll think twice about coming back for a pop-up event. read more

See all

I think this deserves 3.5-4 stars. You order your food at the cashier and take a number and they deliver your food to your table. The bing bong bowl is ok. I prefer the Korean bibimbap over it by far. I only ordered it because that was the healthiest thing on the menu. I don't think I would order it again. I did like trying the poutine and pierogis. Those were both tasty, but heavy. I think I would be willing to come here again if I were in the mood for some hearty bar food at a casual eats place. Would definitely like to try the hot dog (featured on a bon appetit YouTube video). read more

See all

Kimski is everything that's great about Chicago! Where else can you find a Korean and Polish fusion restaurant?! I found Kimski while at a live podcast in a nearby neighborhood. I was looking for late night food that wouldn't make me feel horrible. Kimski fit the bill. We arrived to a packed parking lot (always a good sign). The setup is a little confusing, as Kimski is the tiny area in front of Maria's. But the staff explained that, though they are separate entities, you can order food and have it brought to you at the bar. That's exactly what we did. I ordered the Ko Po Beef, which is basically an Italian Beef filled with Bulgogi and cheese. The KoPo Beef comes with fries that can be dressed with chili oil, nori, and some other deliciousness. If this is an option for you, DO IT! My friend got the Kimchi Poutine, also delicious! read more

Kimski - Ko-Po Beef with Dressed Fries - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The concept of this restaurant is a very fun one, and I did enjoy the food itself. However, I went with expectations that the menu items would individually be a more balanced fusion of Korean and Polish ingredients and flavors. Instead, the majority of items were either mostly Polish with a hint of Korean or vice versa. On second thought, maybe there are a decent number of items that are at the midpoint, but the ones the hostess recommended and the ones I tried weren't as much so. Prices were somewhat steep, considering that one entree probably won't get you full. There are outdoor seats in the backyard of the restaurant, though the indoor dining area is plentifully spacious. I consider Kimski a place to go for the novelty right now, but am curious to see how it might evolve. read more

Kimski - Clockwise from top: Maria's Standard, Pork Belly bowl, Maria's Standard, Bi Bim Noods - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Full disclosure: a friend is connected to the folks in the kitchen and ownership at this restaurant. That said--I tried every single dish on the menu and I have to say, the food is legit. From the more Polish dishes on the menu to the bulgogi, food quality was amazing. Personally, the bulgogi cheese steak-style Sammie was the winner... incredible flavor, the bread was almost like a lobster roll, and our table of 12 crushed multiple plates of this dish. The fries with brown Curry and chickpeas? It was a special but I feel like that dish should be on the permanent menu. And fries? Damn, I had a LOT of fries tonight and all of them were prepped perfectly. The desserts were perfect for the cuisine...the drinks at Maria's (damn you, Sidecar) washed everything down all nice-like...the sauces and broth with every plate paired nicely. If anything, I wish Kimski had dedicated seating. Otherwise, a fantastic experience! read more

We finally made it to Kimski after wanting to try it for years...it lived up to the hype for sure! We got pierogis and wings and both were delicious. So flavorful and fresh! It was nice to be able to bring the food to Maria's patio and grab a drink as well. Definitely want to go back and try the polish sausage and burgers some time! read more

An adjacent kitchen throwing heavy hitters for their tiny dining area and Maria's Packaged Goods next door. We have the cucumber noodles, chili garlic cucumbers, pierogis, and wings. The cold noodles were the most korean dish we had with a beautiful sweet creamy fresh feel. The chili garlic cucumbers were good but needed salt. Whether this would be in the form of a pre brined cucumber or a soy addition to the sauce, either would have worked. The wings hit pretty close to home for me. They were smoky and dry and reminded me of a beloved rib dish my Korean grandma makes for me. I was very impressed with this dish but can see how others may not like the dryness. The pierogis were the best I've ever had. Filled to the brim with creamy potatoes and dressed with caramelized mushrooms and onions and a dash of sesame oil. They're menu is changing soon for winter, so excited to see what's next. read more

This is a Polish-Korean fusion restaurant attached to Maria's. Let me say I've always thought Maria's was a unique and truly a community oriented business. Love the idea and never had a bad experience. The food is truly a fusion of what seems to be Chicago classics and various cultures of the city. We tried the Maria's standard, Korean style polish sausage with soju mustard and cabbage on a lobster roll, and an order of wings. Gotta say I absolutely love the combination of flavors on both dishes. The tang of the mustard and cabbage perfectly compliments the crunch and Asian style seasoning of the sausage. Lobster roll was also perfectly toasted lightly but crunchy. The wings had that "Szechuan" sauce vibe sweet but heat. Portions could have been larger for the price but it is what is for the city I know prices can be higher. I had a couple beers. FYI the beer menu is different slightly at both sides of Maria's and Kimski. Awesome New England IPA from shorts called Slurm Lord. And a rather disappointing porter from deschuttes the XXIX anniversary porter. However the beer selection is always fantastic and I would highly recommend for a few pours. This a top notch-community based restaurant with an awesome beer selection and comfortable social environment. read more

Kimski - NE IPA and porter. - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

This place is so conveniently located but I think I expected too much from it. Flavors were good. But I think I think the portion sizes are just too small for the prices. Come here to get something to munch on with your drink but don't expect a full meal. I got the special which was $8 for 2 bison tacos. The meat was flavored well but it wasn't anything exceptional. read more

Kimski - Poutine fries and bison tacos - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kimski is combined with Maria's, the bar next door. You order at the storefront and then seat yourself at the patio or bar in the back. I'm not sure about the whole concept of Asian fusion here - using scallion, sesame seed, and gochujang doesn't really make it Asian to me... that being said the food was really appropriate to be paired with drinks. Fries were nicely seasoned and I did enjoy the kimchi pickles, mustard, and sausage combo. As a side note, the bathroom doesn't lock so, really not ideal there... read more

Kimski - Ko-Po Wings, Kimski Poutine, Maria's Standard - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Super interesting fusion cuisine with lots of great flavors! The seating area is also very spacious with the chance to grab a drink from the bar in the back. Definitely will want to try other things on the menu next time. read more

Kimski - Pierogis, Kimski Poutine, Maria's Standard - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Very cute hidden place with an awesome concept of a "speak easy" in a back. When you enter the building, you see only a counter with a couple guys, preparing food like in normal fast food restaurant. However, you do have a dine in option, where you have to go through a little door in a back into another dimmed room with a very creative design. I love the idea as it's very unique and original. I also was fascinated by restaurant's cuisine as well as they mixed together Polish and Korean together and was very excited to try it out. However, food was a little disappointing. I ordered Kimski Poutine and it was beyond salty and greasy. It was also very hard to eat without dropping grease on my sweater. My friend got potato pancakes but they were burnt on the side and similarly full of grease. Overall, great design and cute ambiance, but food does need some improvement. read more

The online menu is very different from what they actually have -- about the worst case I've seen. That tells me that customer service is not a priority. And their vegetarian options are pretty unhealthy: almost all include cheese with white rice or fries. read more

Fun food, great staff, and they are always shaking up their menu and collaborating with other chefs. Love the Pierogis!

Went here for a casual Thursday dinner with a bunch of friends. Everything we ordered was delicious and it was super easy to get a big table at Maria's and order at the counter. The fusion was very unique but delicious l, specifically the pierogis and the polish sausage. Would recommend! read more

Kimski's has delicious Polish-Korean combos that go great with Maria's brews. You can enjoy your food inside the pub or eat outside. Service is always chill and friendly. Kimski's and Maria's makes you feel like family. The Princess Perogi's are my go-to. Try any of their veggie side dishes for something fresh, fermented, and a great compliment to their juicy brats. They had a special kimchi and bulgogi soup once that was perfect for a chilly spring day. Anything with a side of fries and a beer is more than filling and there is unlimited spicy sauce for grabs. read more

You might like Kimski if you are young. I am not, and found it almost unbearably noisy and extremely uncomfortable. The booths have no cushioning, the barstools have no cushioning and no backs. We had to shout at each other to be heard. I know that young people like that noise, but we didn't. We all got the standard, which is a polish with some sauce on it, with french fries. I could have gone to any corner stand and bought the same thing for 30% less. The service was fine, the staff friendly; I give them high marks, though I prefer being waited on to ordering at a counter. Again, an age thing. If I was at the age where I wanted to stand, shout at my friends, watch sports on TV, and eat mediocre food, I would come here again. But I'm not, so I won't. read more

Tried food a couple times here, and hang out with friends at Maria's a few times a year. Food is decent, but portions are a little small for what you expect. The Polish-Korean fusion is a cool concept and the space itself is really nice. But if I'm hungry this isn't my number one choice for the area. read more

My friends and I went to Kimski this weekend to try out their "KoPo" (korean/polish fusion) casual food. I've been to Maria's many times and have always loved the super chill atmosphere, playing some Connect 4 while sipping on my Marz - arguable one of the best breweries in the city run by one of the brothers running the Maria/Kimski/Marz empire. I'm happy to say the fun & relaxed ambiance from Maria's transfers over to Kimski. Here's the deal - you enter the Kimski door, just next to Maria's. Place your order with the helpful, lovely staff at the counter. They then hand you a number so your food can be run out to you. Finally, you exit the Kimski door, enter Maria's and walk through the bar~~~around to the main Kimski indoor or killer patio seating area. Seating is casual with some booths and some tables plus of course the belly up bar. Even with Maria's having a full bar on the other side of Kimski, you'll find a mirror image completely stocked bar full of brews in the actual Kimski seating area, as well. We arrived right about 5pm on Saturday and I'm glad we did as the entire spot filled up super quickly. Bridgeport hot spot!!! We hemmed and hawed a bit but one of the Marszewski Bros was super helpful in explaining various items on the menu to us & giving us his recommendations. Recos be damned!!!----We ordered the whole menu sans a couple of items they were out of. +Maria's Standard $8 - Their special sausage aka hot dog which I hope they make in house because it was a bit different in taste/texture/appearance but it was darn good! It comes covered in kraut-chi (a sauerkraut kimchi mixture), soju mustard (mmm soju), scallions all on a soft roll. Their buns for the dogs are really good and love the unique style. +Veggie Potskis $7 - Bite in and this little deep fried mandoo nearly explodes the flavor out. The dumpling is filled with sauerkraut, tons of mushrooms with a bit of cheese & pickled onions decorating the artful display on the outside. Loved this snack of 5 and would absolutely get it again. +Kopo Wangs $8 - These wings were done well a bit spicy in their special sauce with some sesame seeds on top. Pretty standard but a good size order for eight bucks. +Rice Cakes $8 - Their dduk is served in their special sauce which is spicy...like...really spicy...like...had 3 Koreans & a well versed Hayan Yujah sweating balls spicy. This is a good, small portion of a well-known dish, definitely served with their ultra-spicy twist on it. +Kimchi Fried Rice $7 - Solid fried rice with that aforementioned signature kraut-chi, kimchi, scallions & greens and a lovely fried egg plopped on the top. Liked this and went well with the beer! +The Daily Special which was a Something-stradomus ... I totally can't remember the exact name they gave it but it was loaded with pastrami on a bun. Tender meat, great combo, we liked this special of the day! One thing my friend mentioned which I thought was a good point was the current products the food is served on. They'd be good containers for To Go but are a bit too small when dining in. We spilled things a couple of times so are thinking maybe bigger plates/containers for the food. Also, that's a whole lot of waste going in the trash. I've always loved Maria's, loved Marz and now I love Kimski! Cheap (mostly) Korean eats paired with good beers - it's like perfect comfort food. Of course I'll be back with the quickness! read more

See all

Kimski is a fun and quirky restaurant that offers Korean and Polish fusion street food. It is attached to Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar, so you can grab some drinks to accompany your meal. I was excited that something so unique opened up in Bridgeport, but also a little skeptical because I'm not a huge fan of fusion food. Most of the time they don't work for me. I tried a few dishes from the menu, but it wasn't anything special. - Maria's Standard: house sausage, soju mustard, kraut-chi, and scallions on a soft roll. This was the star of the meal. Surprisingly, the ingredients worked well together. I really enjoyed the kick from the mustard. - Rice Cakes: sweet and spicy chili sauce, kapusta, sesame seeds, and sesame leaves. If you ever eaten Korean rice cakes, they are exactly the same but this is a little bit sweeter and spicier. For the price of $8, you can get a more authentic rice cake dish from a Korean restaurant. - Scallion Potato Pancakes: pork shoulder, kimchi, and smoked soy sauce. I didn't like this dish at all. The pancake was cold and the pork shoulder didn't have any sort of flavor. - Pootine: fries topped with kimchi gravy, curds, sesame leaves, and kraut-chi. I thought the Poutine was ok, but the fries were a tad soggy due to the gravy and curds. I also didn't really taste any kimchi. To me, there was nothing unique about the food. For claiming to be a fusion restaurant, they seem to fall short. Most of the dishes lacked flavor or didn't hold up on the Korean side. Overall, it's a place to try but I wouldn't come back a second time. read more

See all

Absolutely amazing food, atmosphere and service - if you go anywhere go here. Everything is so thought out and the chef is clearly brilliant. read more

COST: $8 (Maria's Standard - Sausage) $10 (Poutine) Finally got to try for myself what the talk is all about. This place practices Korean-Polish fusion and they do right by it. The standard hotdog looked very lovely that another customer actually inquired what it was I was devouring. It had a Korean styled sauerkraut on, I wanna say, lobster roll type bread. It was sweet, soft and perfect for the sausage (lol). The sausage itself was great. I'd say about twice the size of Portillo's "Jumbo" Hotdog. The poutine knocked it out of the park as well. It had plenty of flavor, sauce, scallions and packed with cheesy perfection. I should've added an egg or meat to it for $2 more. The place is a little expensive and it's a bit of a trek coming from the north side... I'd say it was worth it. read more

Kimski - Maria's standard in the front, party in the back... I mean poutine. - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Korean polish fusion?!? Yes, please! I had been wanting to check this place out for a very long time--especially when I found out that chef Wan Kim was a Chopped Champion! We didn't really know what to expect when we first pulled up because to be honest, we don't venture to Bridgeport very often. First off, there was plenty of street parking outside so we parked on the same block and walked over. It's a tight space inside, but the decor is great. Mostly white with some wooden accents and touches of bright color. Beautiful! It feels like a super hip spot that would fit in perfect in Logan. (You know what they say, Bridgeport's the new Logan!) Lucky for us, Chef Wan was hanging out by the register and was able to give us some recommendations on the menu. For my group of 5 we ordered: Sausage plate Korean poutine Scallion pancake with pork Potskis KoPo wangs *some other dish that I forget the name of, which was my absolute favorite. It was like a mix between a Korean rice cake and a gnocchi in spicy sauce. Although there was a few open tables in Kimski and front patio seating, we walked through the back to sit in a large booth at Maria's to enjoy the food. They brought everything out to us and wowwwie was it good! Definitely casual, and pretty small plates. But for the price it was perfect. We enjoyed everything but extra shoutout to Wan on the poutine, O.M.G! read more

See all

The food is not authentic in any way. They mix cheap Korean and polish items on to a plated - that's about it. Kimchi from a cheap jar and frozen pierogi's. Maria's next door or an extension of Kimskis is great? Great deals on draft beer and cocktails. read more

That Maria's standard is no joke! "It's the perfect versus over a tight beat" tell them J sent y'all!!!

Excellent place for some beer and scrumptious foods. The service was outstanding. The food was delicious, if little on a heavier side. The kind that goes well with late night drinking. We got pork belly, Maria's standard sausage, and pierogis. Everything was good and quickly served. Kimchi side we got was super delicious too! Thank you! read more

See all

A hybrid cuisine I never knew I needed in my life. Food is incredible, not a bad thing on the menu. Good COVID protocols - patio is very spaced out and indoor area is closed. Staff is very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu (which is helpful as the food may be foreign to some). Highly recommend. read more

Service here is great. We ordered like little piggies, but the menu is so small we wanted to try everything. The wontons were filled with sauerkraut and mushrooms. Not my fave but they were fried to perfection and the sauce was yummy. The Maria standard was tasty with all its toppings and the bun seemed to have a buttery toast to it. The wings of course we're great. Round two we had the beef sandwich which was our favorite and then the poutine. I like kimski because it's different. I've never had these flavor combos before and I really liked it. read more

See all

One of -- if not THE Best food experiences I've ever had. I wish I could remember the exact menu name items but I will post a photo. We ordered wings, noodles, fries and pork belly with rice after dancing to amazing house music and enjoying a few Maria's Margaritas . It was perfection--Every entree complimented each other and provided pure delight! We can not wait to be back again!! read more

Kimski - Guaranteed Foodgasm! - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Super tasty food! The bigos hunter stew bowl is the perfect hearty dish to stave of the snowy cold of Chicago's unforgiving winters. We tried half a dozen dishes and they were all great. A double order of ko-po wings is a great idea for a group, and pairs well with the multitude of excellent beers on tap. The bing-bong bowl and koptyka are excellent for adventurous vegetarians. Pork belly bowl is on my to-do list for next time. Chef Won Kim works hard and has created a unique fusion menu, this guy is a master of fat caps and bibimbaps. It's no surprise that Kimski was recently nominated for a Jean Banchet award for best neighborhood bar, they are doing amazing things for Bridgeport! Hope they win! read more

Accidentally came here on the "grand opening" night yesterday and had to wait in line for 25 minutes. Despite the crowd, the staff was doing really well and the food came out in a timely manner. The space is fun and very hip. Unfortunately, I didn't find the food itself to be that special. I had the kimchi fried rice with pork. It didn't particularly stand out from any other kimchi fried rice I've had in my life (still not sure how polish food came in to it) and was pretty pricey especially considering it wasn't that much food. I would say that the prices overall are a little high considering what you get (quantity and quality). My friends got the Maria's standard which they said was good. Didn't have a bad experience per se, but I wouldn't make an effort to come back. I'd say the food was closer to a 2.5, but the efficient staff bumps the review up to 3 stars. read more

See all

I've been to Kimski multiple times over the past few years and have always thoroughly enjoyed my visit. The people who run it are kind and always willing to talk about the food; their community offerings and outreach are super cool too. Finally writing a review in the time of COVID - I got into my first ever car crash on the Dan Ryan on my way to pick up my takeout order of the Ko-Po beef sandwich. Called them from the side of the highway to let them know I'd be late. They offered to drive it to the side of the road. Not trying to set a standard here! But - what a shining moment of kindness! It was insanely tasty when I got it - a stepped-up, umami-bombed Italian beef. Incredible texture. Don't sleep on the Marz offerings! I'll be back many many times. read more

The Kimski poutine changed my life. I previously had never had fries with any kind of topping that I liked better than plain fries (and poutine in particular I've never been a huge fan of, despite multiple samples in Montreal). These are AMAZING. Perfect balance of salt, fat and acid. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I live in New York, otherwise I would be a regular. Also my partner who loves plenty of loaded fries also loved these and agreed they are perfect and superior. The scallion potato pancakes were also very good. The Bi Bim Noodles were fine but not remarkable and definitely better at dedicated Korean restaurants. read more

And bam! Polish and Korean cuisine decide to make food babies. While doing a gastropub crawl, this was last on our list for the night. It was third dinner of the night, but we were beyond excited to try the foods. It's such a cute little place. It reminds me of what an "outpost" would be. They have counter service with a small booth and a couple counter seats if you want to "eat in". The other option for eating in is ordering at the counter and then taking your number to the bar in the back so you can enjoy some delicious craft beers and cocktails with your food. They have a decent amount of craft beers on tap, which is nice. The food: Maria's Standard - the toast is good, though could use a bit more toasting and butter, the sausage is delicious...and so good Duh Bukk Ski - basically is crunchy rice cake rolls in a mushroom cream sauce (SO SO SO good - I want more and the crunch was unexpected) Ko-Po Wangs - they're not giant, but they're perfectly sauce...maybe a tad overcooked (aka little dry), but the sauce is finger-licking good Kimski Poutine - this works, it just works and the fries are good and seasoned well and topped with more delicious goodness and lots of melty cheese curds Banchan Plate - in most Korean places this is complementary...here's it's going to cost you, but it is good, they have good banchan (it's only 3 items though) TLDR: why have you not made your way to Bridgeport to try this plate yet? But really, Maria's Community Bar is great, as is Kimski's food. read more

Chef Won 5 star chef and talented! . Being a chef and owner is not a easy job . I applauded everything you do . Critics are always going to throw Jabs noone will truly understand how are it is to work in a restaurant until you actually are in one . Food here is always amazing and hospitality is beyond amazing . Being vocal is one thing you have in life and when people criticize you they will never understand Thank you brother ! read more