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SoJu BBQ

4.2 (288 reviews)
Open 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 1 week ago

Order SoJu BBQ Takeout or Delivery

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SOJU BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
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Recommended Reviews - SoJu BBQ

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Reviews With Photos

Short Rib
Katie W.

Relatively affordable 3 meat sampler with ssam and rice for $65! Feeds about 3 people. Garlic rice tasted very garlicky (in a good way!) similar to Filipino style. They had a mushroom side that was pretty good, and they had cucumbers as well but wish they were pickled. Buldak fire chicken was really good with the addition of cheese. They were out of a lot of items we wanted when we went but LA Galbi, fire chicken, and pork belly we got were still very good!

L.A. Kalbi

The food and service were excellent. She even went above and beyond packaged our stew when it was done. However, the server was dishonest and told us that the tip was included and could not be adjusted. However, on their menu website it says that it can be removed and adjusted. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and it is a good restaurant if you are looking for good dining.

Spicy Porkbelly
Daniel M.

Good service. Decent seating space. Quick service. The food is really tasty. Overall a good place for Korean BBQ

Sac Sac Grape
Kiran A.

It's a small place so be sure to make reservations! We went on a Saturday for lunch and we made sure to make quick reservations through Resy. So glad we did because the place was packed (always a good sign, especially to be packed during lunch)! I wish they weren't still using QR codes for the menu, it's just such a turn off. We're tourist and our phones weren't charged and we were trying to conserve battery, I understand these were a need during Covid, but really still? Our server was great however, and helped answer any questions we had. Also loved that the menu clearly labeled what our halal options were, as my husband follows a halal diet. We ordered the bulgogi, the ribeye bulgogi, and tried the lemonade and the Sac Sac Grape soda drink. I loved my bulgogi- it was tender, hot, and full of flavor! Seasoned to perfection, and served with kimchi that accentuated the meal nicely. My husband didn't quite enjoy his ribeye bulgogi- he found it a bit dry. Thankfully it was served with a sauce that did help in that area, but he liked my meal way more. Loved the Sac Sac grape soda drink- can't wait to check it out and get more at my local Korean supermarket. Overall I'd definitely recommend this place and next time we're visiting we both want to try the Korean fried chicken!

Karolina J.

Came here after a Blackhawks game with the kids. It's a casual spot and the service was friendly. Unfortunately we decided to try the very expensive short rib that was the special and it was a terrible decision. The meat was super dry and impossible to get off the bone. We had to request a knife because the meat was tough and there were way too many tendons that made it very difficult to chew. I feel bad wasting food especially when the price was like $60 but honestly it was inedible and a struggle so we ended up just ordering kalbi from the regular menu and that we enjoyed. The kids really liked the fries lol

Kimchi potstickers
Maddie H.

Went for restaurant week, service was quick and everyone was so nice. Food was good, great portions I definitely took home some leftover short rib! The space is smaller but cozy, with a chill ambiance. Cheese cake was a tasty dessert!

Surf and turf (restaurant week)
Peng L.

Came here for Chicago restaurant week so the items might be a lil different. Korean fried chicken wings and kimchi dumplings, while they were both good, the dumplings are a little smaller than what I had expected tho. There is a choice of spicy and soy garlic. Surf and turf/korean short rib--we didn't get the Korean short rib because they ran out, so we got the surf and turf. It came with half a lobster tail, steak, pickled vegetables, and a side of fries. I thought it was great. Dessert was this cheesecake with black sesame ice cream which was bomb. Service was excellent--there was only one waitress and it was pretty busy so she was running around tending everyone's needs. I liked the place. They played Korean music in the background, interesting decors, and friendly staff.

Delicious halal/zabiha Korean food options nearby to the NBA stadium so was a perfect place to eat food before catching the Chicago bulls game!

Beef Bulgogi Bowl
Jose C.

My son and I came here before a Blackhawks game. Parking here can be challenging, but even if you have to park down the street and walk here a block, it's definitely worth the walk. The restaurant was half full when we arrived, so fortunately for us we were able to get a table right and our order out in soon after. The staff here was outstanding. They worked together as a team and got us in and out without skipping a beat. My son ordered their KFC. Korean Fried chicken with their spicy sauce. These were really good. The heat was perfect. But most importantly, the sauce had so much flavor. The wings were fried perfectly with just the perfect amount of batter to give it a nice crispy outside. Wouldn't hesitate ordering these again. I ordered their Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap bowl. This bowl was out of this world. You get steamed rice, cabbage, kimchi, radish, carrots, pickled cucumber, sautéed eggplant, sautéed spinach, and then topped with a perfectly fried egg, sesame oil, and a very flavorful and tender beef bulgogi. Such a delicious bowl and I'm kicking myself for not trying Korean food more often. All the flavors meshed perfectly together. Definitely a must try. I will definitely be returning very soon.

Kimchi Fried Rice
Allison S.

Went here with coworkers during the st.pattys weekend. I had several coworkers that really enjoyed this place and I was curious to try and comparing korean food from back home in SoCal. We were the only ones in the restaurant which made sense being st.pattys. The korean fried chicken was soooo yummy! It was sooo flavorful and the best dish we ordered. It was the perfect amount of spice and sweetness. This chicken could possibly be better than other korean fried chicken places back at home. I also really enjoyed the garlic fried rice. The kimchi fried rice and kimchi dumplings could be spicier. The kimchi dumplings were more like wontons which was interesting. The tteokbokki was good, but the tteok was slightly overcooked. Will definitely come back if I am craving some 치맥 in chicago!

Bulgogi
Shaan A.

4.5 A great spot serving up Halal food! All the Halal items are marked on the menu. Good ambience, definitely inspired by similar places in Korea complete with a TV playing kpop in the back. Food overall was good, not easy to find a halal Korean spot. I liked the beef the best, but the chicken was pretty delicious too. Service could be a bit more prompt initially with the ordering. Overall a solid meal, I'd venture in for again.

Specials
Jessica M.

I've drove past this place numerous times and today was my first time visiting. It was pretty empty around 3pm when we first arrived but was PACKED by 5pm. The restaurant is rather small. Less than 10 tables. The kitchen is very efficient and our food was done quickly. I ordered the: thin beef (bulgogi). It came with rice and kimchi Rice cake skewers Korean fried chicken (mild) The rice cakes and chicken were my favorite. The chicken was fried well and they were generous with the sauce. The beef was a nice portion. Def on the sweeter side. I'll be back for a quick bite in the future!

Ribeye Bulgogi
Sameera B.

I tried this place on a weekday and the place was pretty packed. I was hoping the food would be amazing but I was left disappointed. I tried the spicy Korean wings but they were sweet....Tried the ribeye bulgogi which was also pretty sweet along with their loaded fries. Everything was way too sweet, not sure if that's how it's supposed to be. The service was also slow, we asked for coke which they didn't bring till the very end. They never came to refill the water. Ambiance was too loud and dark. I will try to give this place another try and maybe try different halal dishes but not sure if I recommend this place yet.

Tofu bibimbap

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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Jake L.

Thank you for stopping by today!! Great to meet you guys!

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5 years ago

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Jake L.

Thank you so much for coming!! Thank you for coming!!

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7 years ago

This is probably my favorite place to eat. The service was great and the food was fantastic.

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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Jake L.

Thank you so much!!! Hope to see you guys soon!

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6 years ago

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Jake L.

Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to have you guys!!

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8 years ago

Really excellent food, quick turnaround on food and good service. Excellent addition to the neighborhood!

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5 years ago

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Jake L.

Thank you so much!!! It was a pleasure to have you guys

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

Delicious!! Food portions were huge and filling. Great flavor and spice level! Service was great, friendly staff.

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Jake L.

Thank you so much for coming!

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

Food was delicious! Great service! Love it. I saw a corgi outside. Small place but very modern and clean!

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7 years ago

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Page 7 of 8

Ask the Community - SoJu BBQ

Are they BYOB?

We are unfortunately not byob. We have soju, beer, and other assorted drinks :)

What halal meat do you serve?

Do they serve alcohol?

They serve different types / sizes of beer (including a beer tower!) and bottles of soju.

Do u have outdoor seating?

No they do not!

Could you please provide a picture of certification to prove the authenticity of the halal meat at your restaurant? (There are restaurants in the past who have lost our trust since they lied about the halal meat on their menu)

Do you get your meat from creekstone farms?

Just spoke on the phone with the owner. Chicken is from Noor al Jabal and Brisket is from Creekstone! He will be more than happy to show the boxes if you come in

Is the chicken halal?

Our spicy grilled chicken and rice bowl chicken is halal!

Do you serve halal meat?

Probably not.

Is shellfish/shrimp used to make the kimchi?

Our kimchi is 100% vegetarian!

View All 10 Questions

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PERILLA korean fare - smoked beet tartare with egg yolk jam, korean pear, and ssam

PERILLA korean fare

4.1(404 reviews)
1.3 miRiver West, West Loop, Near West Side, West Town
$$$
Locally owned & operated
Vegetarian friendly

We came to perilla as a group and we really enjoyed it! The meats were all high quality and…read moredelicious! Staff were super friendly, engaging, and helpful. Restaurant was clean, well designed, and you could tell management was actively engaged. Worth a visit if you're craving Korean BBQ!

Not much of the Korean fare. This place has a cute setting, clean, crisp and western atmosphere…read more Food is ok, but cannot say is amazing. The drinks were good. We had the Cloud 9 and Honey I strung the figs, both were quite unique and very good, surprisingly. What bugged me most was that the whole restaurant seemed to have only one waiter who takes orders. He was quite friendly and detailed in explaining.each and everything. But, that was exactly the problem. The waiter spent so much time on each table upfront. I got way impatient after a while waiting for him to come back to check on us. If we would have known better, we should have ordered and requested everything upfront. We did not expect him to have forgotten (or ignored) us for that long of time. In addition, I would have thought that the food, cooked and uncooked, would at least come out one after the other, at a steady pace. Well ok, they did come at a pace, but a very slow pace, very non-continuing. E.g the rice came out only when almost all meat was gone. So we never warmed up to the mood of having a satisfying meal as we have minimal on the table at any time to work on. Not quite satisfying as a dining meal experience. However, and however, If you want to come and take your time to chat and chat for the whole night, it might be the place. Have fun and enjoy your time with minimal interruption. No rush at all! I usually prefer good food first and then reasonably attentive service. So. I'd have to pass on this place. There are other better Korean fare for food out there.

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PERILLA korean fare - Scallion Pancake with Soy Vinaigrette

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Han Bat Restaurant

Han Bat Restaurant

4.3(222 reviews)
6.3 miLincoln Square, Ravenswood
$$

I love this place. Authentic seolleongtang in the city. They mostly only serve one dish,…read moreseolleongtang, but with different cuts of meat. Sister restaurant to the well-known Han Bat Sul Lung Tang in LA. Takes only cash but there's an ATM in the shop. The dining experience here is a vibe. There's only a few people running the shop, and every time I come here, somehow there's only a few people dining in. It's a fairly small space, but beautiful shop. Very peaceful. A good place to enjoy a nice, warm bowl of ox bone soup. It is a bit far from the city center, but it's well worth the trek. The food is delicious. Each meal comes with whole cabbage kimchi, which gets cut up in front of you, and diced radish kimchi. Both side dishes are absolutely delicious and fresh. When the soup comes out, you get to salt and pepper the soup to your own liking. Honestly some of the best Korean food in Chicago.

My boyfriend brought me to this Korean restaurant, and we both enjoyed our meals here! He ordered…read morethe combination soup, and I ordered the ox tail soup. Both were very good. There was a decent amount of meat in both soups. I especially loved the larger ox tail pieces because they had even more flavor. Our soups also came with two kinds of kimchi--radish and napa cabbage. The kimchi had a strong, bold flavor, while the soups themselves were much milder and comforting. After we finished eating, we paid in cash since the restaurant is cash only. Also, according to my boyfriend, they don't offer to-go boxes, so we tried to finish as much of our food as we could.

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Han Bat Restaurant
Han Bat Restaurant
Han Bat Restaurant

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Perilla korean steakhouse

Perilla korean steakhouse

4.2(192 reviews)
2.1 miThe Loop
$$$$
Locally owned & operated
Takes reservations

Had a wonderful business dinner here! The staff were extremely accommodating to our party of 6…read more Thank you to manager, Eric, for all his help. Great menu including cocktails and fun upscale KBBQ experience. A fun modern twist on a business "steak dinner".

Unfortunately, one of my worst dining experiences was in Chicago. Starting off, our food was…read moredelicious. I have nothing but praise for the kitchen team. For starters, we ordered the kimchi pork dumplings and grilled octopus, which both tasted great, but the kimchi flavoring did overpower everything. Our main course included the marinated short rib, wag rib eye, and a5 5 brisket which were all cooked to perfection by our server. However, my experience at Perilla Steakhouse was hands down frustrating. Upon arrival, things were off to a rough start when I could barely hear the server over the music. At times, I felt like our server was rushing us through our meal based on how much less attention he gave us versus the other tables. I'm not someone who needs my glass refilled every minute either to be clear, but things did feel off with how slow our meal was paced out and the general disinterest the server had in us. For reference, we arrived early to a nearly empty restaurant that hadn't started peak dining time yet. I recognize the steakhouse is an upscale, chic take on traditional Korean dishes and I admire the chef for sharing his culture with the city. I also understand restaurants are going to be more expensive, the closer you are located in relation to downtown. Even so, in comparison to other nearby high-end restaurants, the price to portion ratio for our meal felt off. For example, our $16 dumplings included 3 dumplings on a plate. Yes, there's an argument for inflation and the cost of quality ingredients, but I argue that at this price point we shouldn't have left hungry either.

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Custom built-in table side grilling

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Parachute Hi Fi

4.4(41 reviews)
4.9 miAvondale

Run to Parachute HiFi! Chef Beverly Kim's recent appearance on America's Culinary Cup made me want…read moreto try her latest rendition of Parachute, Parachute HiFi. It's a more relaxed concept than the OG, serving Korean inspired bar food and inventive cocktails. While I liked the original Parachute, I am obsessed with Parachute HiFi. You must order the bing bread. It's what they are known for, and for good reason. It reminded me of a large doughy pizza roll, in the best way. I was also in love with the tapioca fritters with pepper jelly. The texture of the tapioca fritter was so unique and fun, and the pepper jelly was seriously out of this world. Bottle that stuff up and sell it! Whoever said the ttebokki pad Thai didn't taste like pad thai was wrong - it does and was a satisfying dish that I'd order again! I love twists on a classic and it was so smart to use rice cakes instead of the traditional noodles. The cocktails all sounded amazing, especially having names like pineapple upside down cake and black sesame. They got me intrigued for sure. Both cocktails were well balanced and enjoyable. Can't wait to return to try more from the menu (like that burger!)

My Chicago son (#3 of 4) and his fiancee were talking very complimentarily about this restaurant…read morecalled Parachute Hi Fi over in the Irving Park area of Chicago. They said it's basically a Korean restaurant with not much Korean food on the menu, but is really good. That immediately sparked my curiosity. I said let's go, it sounds interesting. We all met at 8:00 at Parachute that sorta, kinda sometimes takes reservations; and we did not have one. Not to fear, as the greeter-seater got us three stools at the bar, which by the way, were the best seats in the house. Parachutes menu was all over the place but my son particularly pointed out their hamburger, and I (then) knew why: Living in Los Angeles for a k-billion years, my favorite hamburger was at a restaurant called My Father's Office, owned by Sang Yoon, a Korean chef. His off-beat burgers were sensational! The burger here at Parachute were equally off-beat, so I immediately ordered it. Damn, was it delicious! There were so many things going on here that my head was buzzing, trying to put all these flavors together? And yes, their burger rivaled Chef Yoons burger in L.A.! The burger came cut in two with each side resting in mayo and BBQ sauce. Wow, was it bizarre, offbeat, unique, atypical and the adjectives keep on going; but the adverb used on the burger was - MESSY, and I loved it. I didn't need napkins to stay clean, I needed a beach towel. The fries I ordered were fantastic along with their banana based ketchup which again was strangely weird but excellent. My OB Korean beer paired perfectly with my "Perfect Storm" hamburger. My son and his fiancee went with a salad and Pad Thai Noodles with shrimp which was equally as delicious as my meal. Parachute Hi Fi was definitely an anomaly that I enjoyed very (very) much. And, yes, I'll be back!

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Del Seoul

4.3(2.5k reviews)
3.6 miLincoln Park
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food was SO good. we got the wings, the shrimp banh mi, the steamed dumplings, and some of the…read moretacos. I would reccomend everything. Will definitely be back.

4.5 stars in reality…read more Tried the vegan/vegetarian mushroom japchae. The portion size was gigantic, but the japchae itself consisted mostly of vegetables (carrots, onions, bokchoy, and of course mushrooms) so it was easy enough to finish the portion in one sitting. Despite its size, the dish was extremely light and flavourful and I had enough room for cheesecake at a neighbouring establishment. My friend ordered the pork bento box, and though I don't eat meat, the arrangement and plating of the food was a beautiful visual spectacle. We shared the spiced fries that came with a creamy aioli dip - the fries were perfectly spiced but perhaps not unique to this restaurant in terms of quality and flavour. There were many dishes on the menu that looked like they were veganizable, so I will definitely try them when I return. The ambience was unremarkable, though the restaurant was very clean. You need to order at the counter and the food is brought to your table. The servers were very polite. The food is on the pricier end in the context of a somewhat characterless ambience and the fact that you need to order at the counter. My friend and I travelled for nearly an hour to get to this restaurant, and were quite pleased on the whole. We will definitely be back, and I look forward to trying more vegan/vegetarian options!

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SoJu BBQ - korean - Updated May 2026

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