New Seoul Restaurant
638 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL, 60016
New Seoul Restaurant Menu
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Address :
638 W Algonquin Rd
Des Plaines, IL, 60016 - Phone (847) 439-3720
- Website https://www.newseoulkoreanbbq.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
- Mon : 11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Soo Jin M.
It's higher end of the price spectrum but may be worth it. The side dishes were almost all delicious and the kalbi was marinated well. Fire and ventilation was perfect too, we didn't come out smelling like kalbi. The nangmyun was solid and ox tail soup too tho it was heavy on the black pepper. I'd definitely give this place a try!
(4)Charlie K.
I came here with a few friends after a Top Golf outing. It's stereotypical, but true, that Korean customers get better service at Korean restaurants. I've asked a lot of my friends on their experiences and they say that the service is lacking once they're seated and food is delivered. My experience is that once I'm speaking and ordering in Korean, my water is filled and my appetizers are replenished when empty. This venue, however, was just lacking in service overall. Our waitress did not return after our meal was delivered. On top of that, we tipped 10% in cash (lucky to even get a tip for the terrible service), and they still charged my credit card 18% gratuity. There were only 4 of us, so I know for a fact that automatic gratuity should not have been applied. Chase took care of the variance, and will not be returning here again - Best, Charlie
(1)Sarah C.
I've eaten at New Seoul quite a few times over the years. The food is excellent - some of the best bulgogi that I've ever eaten. I love that you can cook it on the grill at your table. The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars is because I think they could do a little better job keeping the place clean. It isn't dirty - but some things are old looking and could use repair. The restaurant could use a nice makeover on the inside. But great food and friendly staff!
(4)Laurice M.
Hubby and I ordered the brisket and galbi bbq. Love the meat and the banchan (the pickled radish is a must try) but it's expensive. Almost $50 for the both of us. Also the owner kept going over to our table like every 5 minutes; annoyed my husband after the owner asked him to try the jalapeno. I'm happy it's so near our house but not sure if we're coming back. I think it's expensive.
(4)Ag C.
We love this place but don't make it here too often as its 13 miles away. Went on memorial Monday for dinner, a family of 4 with 2 teenagers, we ordered 4 BBQ items, cooked fast, ate fast, kept refilling the side dishes and lettuce, ordered 2 more plates of BBQ meat, all food on table was wiped out. Except the bones for the dogs, which they will be so happy and enjoy as much as we did. Tom the owner, I think that's his name, is very nice, I think the other lady might be his wife, who doesn't speak much English, but who cares, didn't come for her. Then there's a young man whom we saw for the first time of the many years that we have been here. He might be the son? Perfect English, friendly service, we feel good that we can communicate with someone. N we think this place has the best quality of meat of all the Korean restaurants that we go too. Most people or places have the marinated meat which you can use a not so great grade or not so fresh meat, sorry people. We like our meat non marinated so we can get the real flavor of the meat. If the meat is not good, we can taste it right away, which I can name a few restaurants easily. The meat here is fresh, juicy, n flavorful. They have the marinated kalbi, bulgogi n all that too, we only ordered 1 out of the 6 items we did. Other places might have bigger names, busier, but this is the best. Quality of meat is always consistent. The addition of a staff that speaks English is definitely a plus. With that being said, Korean BBQ lunch again today. N it's at that place known for giving lots of side dishes, it's impressive but nothing compared to New Seoul. Way to go new Seoul!!
(5)Xai C.
Horrible experience. First off they moved us to a different table when we were already seated saying that the table we're at was "reserved". We were then placed in the middle of the restaurant and it got really cold with the door opening and closing every time someone entered place and the was really small. The food was overpriced for the portions we get and didn't even filled us up and it didn't taste good at all too and the ventilation sucks because it got so smokey in the restaurant and it stabled up our clothes. After we paid for the bill and tipped them they asked us for more tip because it was their policy or whatever. The one only good thing for me was the service our waiter did because he checked in with us and asked how we were doing but other than that everything was horrible! Will not go to it again!!
(1)Donald D.
Best Korean I've tried! Yum, yum! They have a picture of Psy dining there so they must be good, right? We get the bulgogi and the kalbi and it is marinaded to perfection. Tastes like a more upscale version of regular Korean bbq joints. Service could be better but that's with any Korean restaurant. I'll be a customer for life!
(5)Tom C.
Good, but not great K-BBQ. It's still fun to come in a group and do the whole chaotic meal experience. Their marinated pork and beef are very good, but the octopus and tongue left a lot to be desired. Good condiments and vegetables. The ambiance is a little shabby for what I am used to in SoCal but not bad.
(3)Jessica C.
Some of the most helpful waitstaff when it comes to Korean BBQ - you actually won't feel like an idiot for not speaking Korean. Plus, they use charcoal, which I think renders a much better flavor than the gas/metal hubcap situation at other places. New Seoul is the only place my husband and I have tried marinated pork that we, ourselves, have cooked at the table (of course, all BBQ places have the beef - kalbi). Holy good goodness - it's the best BBQ we've had anywhere. Ever. Order the marinated pork, really. All the other meats (marinated beef and plain bulgogi) were excellent too and the banchans were tasty - some truly stand-out better than other places, others par for the course. In my opinion, it's a total dive - and accordingly I don't really think a good place for a newbie. We took some friends to a place on Lincoln recently - I think now they'd appreciate New Seoul, since they know what they're in for, which is a good thing because it's been too long and I want to go back. As far as price, Korean BBQ is always relatively expensive - no surprises to me.
(4)Alice A.
the owners were really nice when we stopped by for dinner on a saturday night. very helpful and came over to check up on us a few times. We started off with seafood pancake, Then ordered Bulgogi and Dweji bulgogi (pork). The meal came with ban chans (side dishes) and rice and miso soup. Overall, i'd say it was a good meal. I've had better at other places but i would still go back if i was craving for bbq. *some yelpers were saying that they were being charged for free ban chans and what not. dont forget to double check your bill*
(4)Jean S.
Love this place. Had a private table for the three of us. Meat was fab as we're all the sides. Service was excellent. LOVE grilling at the table. Will definitely be back.
(5)Zand S.
If you like to bring yourself and a young kid here to bbq, forget about it unless you are willing to fork $50 an dormer for 2. As their policy is a minimum of 2 orders to bbq. All right then.... if you now decide to go with regular order, you are still on your own; the owner's English is very shallow & the menu is just few words in English. So make sure your party is at least 2 adults and one of them better be a translator or an expert in Korean cuisine. Absolutely not worth the 30 min drive.
(2)Chan L.
Wow. Where have you been all my life. This is the best place to get Korean BBQ period!!! They still use the Korean soot bool charcoal which adds incredible flavor to the neat. The neat is perfectly marinated that isn't to sweet but flavorful with garlic, soy sauce and ginger. It is a local mom and pop restaurant and the service was attentive. Be sure to check out the Korean banchan that comes with all the dishes. I
(5)James L.
Quick service. Great quality meat (cha dol beh gi). Huge portions of neng myun and reasonable price. There was one wait staff. One older lady. At first she seems rude but actually she is really friendly and down to earth.
(5)Sean J.
Not very aesthetically pleasing, but the food is AMAZING! They use wood (oak, actually) for the fire, and the marinated kalbi is top-notch. Even the den jang that comes with the meals is flavorful and distinctive. Can't recommend it highly enough.
(5)Jason Y.
New Seoul Restaurant gets five stars from me. I love this place to pieces. The food stacks up to some of the best joints in Korea. Could it be classed up a bit? With bowls that look like they come from Ikea and wooden chopsticks, the answer is: absolutely. But the truth is that the flavor profile here is on the money. It's an authentic experience and something you wouldn't expect from Mount Prospect. Not saying that Mount Prospect is anything to sneeze at, but this place could clean up a lot of places in downtown Chicago. I mean, look. You get the banchan, you get the sang-chu, you get that beautiful caramelization on the galbi and the diced up onions over a bed of lettuce. It's that level of completeness and that authenticity that makes this place special. Try it out. The place looks like it's run by a small family, so you know they bring a passion for food.
(5)Oscar G.
The meat was great, took the kids they loved it. Side dishes was a bit small. I have been to other spots were they keep the side dishes full. The older gentlemen was very friendly (must have been the owner). I can find myself going back for seconds.
(4)Vivienne H.
My boyfriend and I were carving Korean BBQ last Tuesday. We searched for it then this restaurant poped up, and this grandpa & grandma sweet place has given us an extremely wonderful experience! We walked in on 11am, the time they just opened. Everything looks peaceful and clean. The owner (just in my opinion, cuz his photo showed on The restaurant's Yelp album) welcomed and set us down. We all love this place, it's home-made style and let us felt very relax and comfortable. Now, back to the food. THEY JUST SO AWESOME & AUTHENTIC!!! We had the Bul Gol Ki (which the others highly recommend on Yelp and it's so tasty!), the spicy pork (which the others highly recommend on Yelp and it's so tasty!), the cold noodles without soup (which...you know what I'm going to say). They all very delicious and with huge portion! Actually, the smoke doesn't bother us so much, maybe because there just two of us eating and the exhauster at the top did a great job. Anyway, we'll definitely come back!
(5)Nan H.
We were thoroughly disappointed with our experience here. The food was a solid 3 stars(nothing spectacular compared to the kbbq I've had in LA or NY) but passable albeit extremely small portions (still hungry). This is a mom and pop shop and I'm usually all for supporting these kind of establishments, however the greedy ajuma tried to rip us off. They charged us $113 for a $84 bill( sorry we can do math). Upon further investigation with the owner's son, his mom charged us for banchan.(you know those little side dishes that are usually FREE) among other things. I've eaten my fair share of Korean restaurants and I've never been charged for banchan. Dirty dirty business practice just because we are not Korean. Won't return, but if you shall choose to dine here, please review your bill carefully (which btw is all in Korean). Oh yea we also didn't get the rice and daewnjun jigae which was supposed to come with the meal!
(1)Kee V.
I met some friends here for dinner and experienced the worst service in recent memory. After we were seated and given menus, no one came around to take our order for about 20 minutes. We kept trying to flag someone down, only to be ignored. After we finally had a chance to order, there was no banchan brought to us, even after our food was brought out. Again, we had to flag someone down to bring banchan and even that took a while. It was finally brought to the table with an attitude and an eyeroll and I am still trying to figure out what we did to deserve such treatment. During dinner, we felt like we were constantly being watched, as if they wanted us to leave asap. The thing is, they were being incredibly friendly to the other tables who were obviously friends and/or regulars. Seeing that made me even more upset regarding our service. The food was okay. The kalbi was good but the ventilation was terrible. The chadol portion was a little skimpy for the price. The al chigae (cod roe stew) and kalbi tang were good and the portions were generous. That is the only reason for 2 stars. No matter how our food tasted, we won't be coming back because the service was that bad. I don't think they even want us back.
(2)Alexander S.
Great little Korean restaurant. Fast and pleasant service and great food. Will stop by again when I have time going through OHare.
(5)Lauren P.
OMG THIS ESTABLISHMENT SERVES FRESH LETTUCE WITH YOUR BBQ! Whenever I feel that I eat a great amount of meat, I don't want to eat a lot of carbs along with it. Lately, lots of korean bbq establishments have not been serving the bbq with lettuce. This establishment does and I'm truly greatful! Their food is authentic, and the service is great! I really can't ask for more except maybe those fish cake banchan dish. Other than that I shall return!
(5)Michellr A.
The worst service ever!!!! They took forever to take our order, to get our food, to get service, and to get our check. Horrible experience and on top of that we asked our waitress to grill part of our marinated meat, in the kitchen, but after 30 minutes of reminding her; she brings what looks like water rinsed meat. It was really white and it wasn't marinated. We confronted her and she denied it.
(1)Raoul C.
This places epitomizes the "don't judge a restaurant by the strip mall facade" mantra. While a little pricey, serves up some legit Korean BBQ on an equally legit charcoal grill, but their bibimbap leaves something to be desired (no stone bowl, no crispy rice at the bottom, what the heck??) $18-20 a plate for the ribeye beef, same for the chicken, and $10 or so for the bibimbap. Decent banchan, cute lil' old Korean family, possibly good enough for a return trip. Possibly.
(3)Jennie C.
I love checking out Korean places in cities other than LA and DC. I don't know what the Chicago scene is, but I hope to check more places out. It has a homemade feel to it, and I enjoyed their banchan (always an important aspect of a Korean restaurant). My only gripe is that they have inconsistent service. It took forever to get the bowls of rice (they asked my party if we needed some after we asked earlier), and I requested additional plates of banchan. However, the father of the restaurant gave us some complimentary soup (once again, not sure if that's included in our meals) as a gesture of kindness. Food was good. But I will say this: if you're seated on Table 7, I wouldn't look up. It was dusty, so it was off putting. Portions are kind of small as well. If you were strictly ordering an BBQ entree (you need to order 2 in order to use the BBQ), I would recommend adding appetizers. Also the grill is something I'm not used to -- a lot of the places I've been before have more of a griddle so that the meat doesn't fall through into the coals. Here, with this kind of grill, I noticed my garlic slices kept falling into the coal. Just something to think about. I would recommend this place as a no frills, come with your friends joint to enjoy BBQ. Don't expect much except for homemade style. P.S. Apparently the Gangnam Star, Psy, has visited this joint. You'll see his photo with the owners near the entrance.
(3)Rob G.
The food is delicious, but I'm not a big fan of the atmosphere. It felt like the staff was watching my every move.
(3)Noomi J.
We came here on a Sunday evening and it was pretty empty. The reason to come here is for the charcoal grilled kbbq. We ordered the galbi and spicy pork, both excellent. Good spread of banchan, not the tastiest, but decent. A bit pricey at like $20-25 unfortunately. The meal does come with rice and dwenjangjjigae, a bean curd soup. Complimentary fruit as dessert.
(4)Amit M.
Nice place! We loved the food ... A bit pricey considering the ambience which is ok. Service is good. Seems like family run. You can BBQ right on your table.
(4)Jane J.
Definitely coming back for more. Enjoyed all the sides that came with the meat. Tried the beef intestine and it was tasty!
(5)Richard Q.
Hospitality is what this place thrives for!! Food is what this place excels at!! I come from Vegas & hospitality is greatly looked upon. This place gave exactly that! Our waitress, Woon Joo, was SOOO sweet! My mom and I walked in the restaurant with a welcoming smile and promptly seated us in a cozy open-door'd room. Whenever we needed something & just glanced at her, our waitress would ask if anything was needed. Our order was taken right as we made up our minds & they kept checking on us. There were 6 or 7 other tables & they kept on top of everything. A++ Now, the food. Oh my god the food. Bul Gol Ki. GET IT. it will be worth every penny & dime that it costs! The meat was filled with flavor but not over the top & tender but not too soft. We even got complimentary and FREE oranges for dessert LOL. My mom normally does not eat a lot but finished every bit of her food! Overall, I loved this place & DEFINITELY will return every time I come back to Chicago.
(5)Tanvir H.
Definitely was disappointed with this Korean restaurant, especially considering it was on the northwestern suburbs. I just do not have anything positive to say about the food or the service. Definitely the worst Bim Bim Bop I've ever had the experience of tasting. The side dishes were definitely the least generous portions for three individuals compared to other Korean restaurants I've been to in the Chicagoland area. The octopus was way too chewy and could not be cut with a knife. Even the bulgogi wasn't that good. Then you add how awful the service was and it makes you shocked that the place was in business. Unprofessional staff that did not seem like they wanted to be there. Requests took a long time and they just disappeared. Felt bad vecause it seemed like it was an old Korean couple. Definitely will not return.
(1)Bharat S.
First time ever trying korean food...I wish I had tried this before! It is good to have someone experienced to go with you at least the first time... Food was amazing. There was just way too many variety of food to choose from, and I am glad I went with someone who had been there before. Flavor was amazing, I have not tasted some of the favors before. Beef that they server just melted like butter. Chicken was spiced up good, and not much sweet to it. Dont get too much spicy stuff, you might be able to handle it. Next time I am going to be there, I want to try dinner. We had lunch, and it was amazing, wonder how dinner will be...when you get to grill your own meat!
(4)C L.
I honestly did not expect excellent Korean BBQ in the suburbs - I found this place on yelp and took my colleagues along with me. All 3 of us were VERY impressed with the excellent service and delicious food. This place is not a fancy looking place but that just adds the authenticity to the restaurant. Our server was also very friendly - even taught us a couple of Korean words. We had the Galbi, brisket, and spicy pork on the grill - we were stuffed and very satisfied. We will be back!!
(5)Sharron Z.
Great food! The BBQ Gal bi and tender black pork was one of the best I've ever had. It does get a little smoky when you cook your own food because it's oak wood. It's a family owned restaurant and is very authentic. Love it!
(5)Tim M.
Time to invest in an upgrade to the ventilation system. The smoke from the table grills was so thick it overpowered you. Not thrilled with tracking all my smoke smelling clothes into the car. Service was serviceable. That's the best I can say. Pa Jun was undercooked and center was doughy. Dol sot bi bimbap was ok. Kimchi bokum was a little bland. For much, much better Korean take a drive north. Asians in Racine or Stone Bowl in Milwaukee are light years ahead. Food here is ok if you just need a Korean fix, but not more. Did I mention how damn smokey it is in there.
(2)Scott B.
Ordered the Pork Bulgogi today at a corporate lunch there. Delicious, including the tea and the sides. The soup was a little bland. Great service!
(4)Mike O.
So it's my first time ever Korean BBQ. I picked this place for the November 2009 NW Suburban dinner finale and it was excellent. The 18 of us had the back room reserved all to ourselves. The walls were rather plain and the room rather uninteresting except for a very prominent "No Smoking" sign which a number of people commented on how out of place it appeared. And soon there was smoke indeed. At each seat there were 2 glass bowls. One had a salty peanut-flavored oil. The other had a roasted sesame and garlic flavor. These would be used to dip the meats for added flavor and savoriness. We spent some time looking at menus. For a while I even thought the waitress forgot us, but then we got service and placed our orders. In just a few minutes, the table rapidly filled with an assortment of greens, kimchi, and other fixin's for our KBBQ. And of course they brought out blackened kettles of flaming oak wood charcoal and placed them on the table for us. I think the waitresses didn't speak good English, so they were unable to really explain all the menu items to us. I picked pork rib tips. While I received pork, I think my order may have been the spicy marinaded pork instead. Regardless, I roasted a sample piece from the platter anyway and after one taste, I couldn't complain. I observed Korean BBQ veteran Dee M. take a leaf of lettuce and wrap up some grilled meat with some toppings and eat it like a "Korean Taco", as he called it. Pretty good idea. So I did the same and I think I single-handedly cleared a whole head of loose-leaf lettuce in the process. One of the best toppings that complemented the meat were these thin white, round slices of pickled radish. Their shape and color sort of reminded me of the medicated acne wipes I used as a teen... Anyway, I grilled them till they turned slightly beige and they went perfectly with the marinaded pork - or all by themselves. We finished at least 2 bowls of those radish slices by me and they kept bringing more for us. Quite a filling meal with rice and all the delightful toppings like sprouts, potato nuggets or these thin, grass-like shredded green onions that also gave the meat slices a delectable taste. I'd give this place 5 stars but the waitress forgot us towards the end, plus she forgot to put in our 10% off Yelp discount till I came over and reminded her. No dessert menu, but we did receive plates full of sliced fresh oranges as a treat at the end. I also get the feeling most people were too full for anything more besides the main courses. And in case you decide to go, don't wear your good clothes. You'll come home smelling like Korean BBQ. A whiff of my fleece jacket the next morning still reminded me of the wonderful meal I experienced.
(4)Kristine N.
Bulgogi and kimchi soup are excellent. Service is quick and they're very nice here.
(4)Kris K.
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(1)Jdub U.
This place has been on my top list of places to take people to while near the airport and my office workplace. It's super authentic Korean BBQ. I'd not recommend coming here if it's just you and your S.O or someone with a wimpy appetite. You simply won't get to enjoy enough BBQ offerings. Come with a group and enjoy Korean BBQ the way it's meant to be done. I've come with a fairly large work group and had a blast. The style of eating is friendly and casual. You have to be ok with getting a little messy and come with the understanding that anything you bring into New Seoul *will* smell like Korean BBQ by the end of the night. You *will* take this smell with you to your car, your home, and possibly to work the next day. You've been warned... leave the jacket in the car and get ready for some smokey goodness. The food here is fantastic and the waitstaff is great when you can hold their attention (this is true of *most* Korean places). For those of you unfamiliar with Korean BBQ and the proper protocol, just wear your confused face and the waitress will do the work for you. For those in the know, be sure to assign a cooker and a backup. Nobody likes overcooked and charred meat that gets neglected while the cooker is busy stuffing his/her own face. My typical visit goes like this: - ensure that everyone attending will be hungry - warn them to leave their fancy clothes and jackets in the car - if cold or wet, dash from the car to the front door. - sit everyone down and explain that the menu will be "family style" and to determine if any food allergies or aversions exist. - order your first and second bottles of soju along with the hamul pajun and the Asian beer of your choice - marvel at the banchan that fill the table - do your first shot with your first servings of food - order the beef and pork goodness for the table (don't worry you can order as you go if you're not sure of everyone's hunger) - prime the grill grate with that fatty rib - teach everyone proper roll making and face stuffing technique. also go through the sauces and what they go best with. - cook, eat, and have a great time (shots as needed!!) Remember to pace the cooking (and drinking). The best part of bringing office visitors here is that it is super budget friendly compared to the other nearby franchise restaurant offerings. Be sure to *nicely* ask for a copy of the handwritten receipt if you need to expense the meal. Tip your waitstaff for the great time and invite everyone back upon their next visit.
(5)Erick P.
This is a very old style authentic Korean bbq. The place is pretty small and the design inside is goofy but the food there is really good. They actually bring out real charcoal and thats how you grill your own meat. I swear Charcoal makes everything so much better!! The only down side is that since this is an old school style place the customer service is rather lacking and obviously out of date. Bottom line, if you want bad ass Korean food and get that authentic charcoal grill come here and eat.
(4)Pamela M.
I've been back again and love it even more!! The wait staff is attentive and helpful! If you need extra of anything they will bring it. Tried something new: a thick cut pork/bacon with a piece of bone in it - was really skeptical but after tasting OMG! getting that next time, too! Eat Here!
(5)Tinyee H.
I'm used to eating Korean BBQ over charcoal, and this was great. They bring in a cauldron with hot coals to the middle of the table and place a grill on top. I think with this higher temp, they don't need to change the grill as often as the gas grills at other places. The service was good, and the wait staff were nice. However, it was strange to see that an old man was eating instant noodle when he could have gotten something from the kitchen. Anyway, we ordered the bulgogi and kalbi. The meat portions were small, but the banchan were plentiful and delicious. The meat was seasoned well. The seafood pancake was decent. The booth area is somewhat private. I would definitely come back to try their gop chang jun gol.
(3)Mrs. T.
Customer service was great. Presentation was ok. Raw n marinated meat served on lettuce on a metal plate. We only had one set of tongs for each meat to cook so we had to be careful to prevent cross contamination. We used our wooden chopsticks to move the cooked meat around. Food was good. Of all the dumpling soups I've had, theirs was the best I ever had! Didn't have a heavy soy sauce taste that usually comes from the dumpling stuffing ingredients. I would give them a higher rating if the ventilation was better. Also pork belly had small bones. When I buy it at the store it never has bones in it. This may b my lack of experience w meat cuts but it was inconvenient to chew those bones out of my mouth! Want yummy Korean grill? This still hits the spot but be ready for watery eyes if you are sensitive to smoke!
(3)Jacqueline S.
My friends and I had a great experience here. We had the galbi and quail served with lettuce to wrap, sauces, and many little dishes. I really liked the galbi, the quail was a bit difficult for us non-experts to cook correctly on the hot grill. I loved trying all of the little dishes and they were all really good. The spicy tofu soup was good as well. All in all, the place was clean, cozy, and the service was good. If there are only 2 people I think 2 orders of galbi may be too much so I would recommend one order of galbi and share a soup or other dish (unless you're really hungry).
(4)Mikey J.
Quality Korean BBQ and damn authentic. New Seoul is where my whole, very large family would gather for epic family dinners. Half the enormous bill was normally for liquor... Anyhow, New Seoul does Korean BBQ right. Their Kalbi (marinated short ribs) are excellent marinated, tender, and grill just right over the coals at the table. Banchan, aka side dishes, are delicious and fresh. One note is that this place is not all-you-can-eat (I know, sadface) and the prices are tad higher than other Korean BBQ places. But heck, its worth it. While a haven for Koreans craving authentic food, I came here with non-Korean (Caucasian) family friends, and they loved every bit of the food. Finally, the doenjang jjigae that comes at the end of the meal is done just right, with enough spiciness and bean paste flavor, but not overwhelmingly hot. Service is excellent and friendly. Check it out. Gun bae! (Cheers in Korean, my friends)
(4)Justin L.
This restaurant was a nice little dinner spot with good Korean food, especially for the suburbs, with fairly good service. Food wise, I tried the Gal Bi (Beef Short Ribs) and the Duk Gal Bi (Chicken Short Ribs). Both were well marinated and very good. The panch'an (side dishes) were also fairly abundant, about ten dishes ranging from raw radishes to the usual items like kimchi. Ambiance and service are the only areas I thought were a bit lacking. I wouldn't consider this a great "date" place and didn't have the ambiance for good one-on-one dining. The service I received was very good; however, the table next time me struggled to get service and I could hear other complaints about service from other patrons in the dining room. Overall, I think this is still a great place to go out and dine with some friends for good food.
(4)Anthony B.
I first tried this place because it is one of the few places around that use charcoal as opposed to propane (stupid Hank Hill)...but let's cut to the chase! The food was great! We normally order bulgogi because it's easier to cook and more tender than other cuts. This place gives each table a huge selection of delicious side dishes (banchan). It would be nice if they made Korean-Chinese dishes such as jajamyun, jjampong, or gampongi BUT THEY DON'T! Only thing that they should improve on is the price. They charge roughly $20 for a plate of meat. And you have to order 2 plates if you want to grill it yourself, which if you don't defeats the purpose of going to a Korean BBQ joint! For 2 people, 1 plate of meat is too little but 2 plates is too much so come hungry LoL! Overall good experience! I will definitely return next time I want my Korean fix!
(4)Alejandro L.
Any beef is good. Place looks awful, but can't go wrong with Grilling good cuts, and having solid side dishes
(3)Greg T.
An-Nyeong-Ha-Se-Yo!! How goes it fellow foodies of the burbs? Weary? In need of hot soup, crunchy vegetables, salted meats? Have I found the Korean hotspot for you. These guys don't cut corners. In fact, they don't have an excess of room to stand in! But of boy, this unassuming exterior hosts a snug cozy atmosphere. Once seated around that grill, it'll be just like those campfire nights with your sweetie. Might I recommend adding some heat to your finely sliced beef on that grill there. Roast them meats, roll them into one of them crunchy leaves. Maybe a little bean sauce if you've got the dexterity. Then slide that in your mouth there. An array of sauces, and unique Korean items to taste. Go ahead taste them. Be docile and open, try them chopsticks out. There's the mushrooms, and kim chee, them's my favorite. There's rice to add to your soup, or to your Korean "leafy burritos". You can't go wrong. I wish I could tell you about desert, but if you're like me, you'll probably just be too full. Just smile, pay that check, and make your next reservation.
(5)Chris A.
I been going to this restaurant for over 3 years now.It is family owned small restaurant.Sometimes service might be slow but the food and what they offer always the best.If you do bbq dinner you have unlimited side dishes comes with it,and they are happy to serve you.They have Korean beer and drinks,they don t have the full bar so if you like something special you might want to bring it with you. They have soups,salads and main Korean bbq dishes I personally love Galbi thin sliced and marinated really soft and tender.Their kimchi(salty cabbage) is also very good.After 3 yeras I still go there at least once in a month.The food is good but inside looks normal restaurant ,nothing fancy just wanted to mention that.
(5)Ericka A.
The NW Suburban Dinner Crew cleaned up again by getting down and dirty with our chopsticks and fingers. We set the night (and the grill) on fire. Did anyone else find the "no smoking" sign in the dining room ironic? This was my and my guests' introduction to Korean BBQ and we all left feeling satisfied by the food and the company. For three straight hours we roasted, toasted and told stories. My father and I took the advice of our waitress, went with both of her suggestions and split it up amongst ourselves. One was succulent pork ribs and the other was garlic soaked beef slices. A side of rice and various dipping sauces and lettuce stuffers accompanied the main dish. We tried a little bit of everything and loved every bite. The best part? In my opinion, it is the fact that you are served raw meat and get to personally cook it to your liking on their coal grill in the middle of the table. Aren't feeling so adventurous? You can ask them to cook it for you in the kitchen and give it the authentic touch. There are only two negative things I can say about this place. First, overpriced cans of pop. They run you $2. Second, too much smoke. We had about twenty people furiously cooking up a storm and the large dining area was quickly overpowered. Considering that six large vents were running, it shouldn't have been so thick. But you would probably be set if you came during nicer weather and opened the door, or if you had just a few guests in one of their cozy, private booths.
(4)Andrew S.
Decor, service, menu are similar to what you will find at most Korean restaurants in the area. Sometimes hard to get assistance, but once they're at your table they are super friendly and heplful. What I love is the Korean BBQ here, expecially the Galbi (marinated). While most Korean bbq restaurants have a gas fire and an built into the table, these table have giant holes in them. Why the hole you ask? They place a bucket of hot, burning charcoal int he middle of the table. The buckets sink most of the way into the table but rests just above. A metal griddle is palced over the charcoal. While the marinade is extremely delicious to start with, the taste of fresh barbecue (with generous portion sizes) over charcoal is exquisite! there is a definite smoky taste and the meat cooks evenly which is rare when using a gas fire burner. The barbecue is the best Korean barbecue in the area, simply declious! You'll also receive hte customary Korean side dish parade as well as a warm Daen Jang soup (spicy miso soup, different from Japanese miso soup). If you want delicious Korean barbecue, come to New Seoul! SO GOOD!
(4)Phillip Y.
Has to be the best korean bbq for galbi in the Chicagoland.. yeah cho sun ok has the chadol.. and everywhere else is shit.. but for galbi this place is amazing... you can tell they use top notch ribs here.. not some cheap on sale gift box galbi from h mart... it does have a feel of a very old place.. the housing of the exhaust needs to be cleaned more often.. but whatever the food is good... not too many side dishes.. which I don't mind because I hate wasting food and half of the shit at the other restaurants I don't even touch so for me thats a plus.. their soon dooboo was pretty good.. with lots of seafood in it whereas other places put a couple pieces of mixed frozen shellfish from a already mixed frozen shellfish bag.. but back to the galbi.. soft, juicy, packed with flavor.. a little on the expensive side for galbi in chicagoland.. probably even more expensive than boo il galbi on bryn mawr.. but its worth it... it seems that an old couple run it.. with their daughter (i hope its their daughter) because while the two old folks were running around serving tables and refilling waters and teas she was sitting on the laptop in the front probably facebooking... so if she is just a random hire.. let her ass go! but the service is top notch.. I feel like I am eating at my grand parents place.. they are very informal and very family feely which I love and it seems like I have been eating there for years but in reality I have only gone once and hope to go again but the hike to this place sucks.. but I will sure try to make my way back!
(5)Rosanna L.
I was extremely surprised when I received all the side dishes with my lunch meal! I was able to eat a full on Korean meal at my office desk and it was delicious. I had the Bi Mi Bop (sp?) for lunch and I didn't realize it was a cold dish, which threw me off a bit, but overall the meal was great especially with all the side dishes! I paid about $8. I than came back with my boyfriend and had their korean bbq and ordered 2 dish of marinated short ribs and 1 dish of marinated beef. Cooked on the charcoal fire it was extremely tasty with a hint of sweetness when you ate them. I truly enjoyed my meal and so did my boyfriend! The service was great and everyone was polite! Korean bbq can get a bit pricey though. The bill was about $60. I look forward going back to this place!
(4)April P.
Finally, a Korean bbq place close to home that's worthy!!!! Now don't get me wrong, I love me some San Soo Gab San and Cho Sun, but the drive plus wait at both are rather long. Too long when you're hungry. UNBEARABLE when you're starving. So, I was *stoked* to find out from a friend that this place is authentic as they come, a small business with great following, and also had charcoal grills to use, all very close to home. Charcoal grills are the secret and authenticity to how the galbi comes out perfectly. Well, that, and a good person manning the 'que while you stuff your face. The galbi is awesome, although I did notice that they give a little bit less serving size than SSGS. They give the right amount of panchan, which is so great on the conscience, as I do feel quite guilty having so much leftover from SSGS. Also, the panchan selection was quite fresh. They have several booths that are semi enclosed for a small private groups, and I must say, the service ****R.O.C.K.S**** here in comparison to other kbbq spots. The ladies are very sweet and helpful, and they don't get mad at you even though there is a language barrier. It's so nice that they don't roll you eyes when you mispronounce something or need help with the all- Korean menu. Instead they smile a genuine smile, and do the best that they can to help you. Highly recommend. Give this mom and pop place a try!
(5)Joel M.
First time tasting Korean BBQ. Many new flavors and foods I've never tasted before. Some were good, others not so much...
(3)Peter C.
Whenever we have a craving for authentic Korean food, we would go to New Seoul. The owner and staff always made us feel welcomed and the food is consistently delicious! Our must have favs are seafood pancake, kalbi and kalbi soup (spicy and not spicy)!
(5)Kirstie M.
This place sucks not because of the food but because of the owner. Me and my husband like Korean food and all we wanted was some Kalbi for him and Kimchee tofu soup for me. As soon as the owner walks in and checked in with us, he was drunk and wasted. He pretty much tricked us on getting galbi for both even though we only want 1 order. He kept forcing us to have two and that he will give me a Kimchee soup for free if I agree. So thinking we got a good deal with free soup, we stayed. But the galbi was underwhelming and the free Kimchee soup was this tiny little soup with almost no other ingredient except flavored water. The owner kept walking in saying weird awkward things every 5 minutes and it was a chore just to keep him out so we can eat.
(2)Jean C.
I went here Sunday night with a good friend. We ordered the Korean dumplings, bulgogi and galbi. The dumplings were good but I was surprised to taste chicken in the dumplings. It was good but unexpected. The bulgogi and galbi came on one plate and we grilled at the table. I would have liked more meat for the price but it filled the both of us up. The marinade was there but we could hardly taste it. And we had to ask for rice. The total came to $28 per person. I have had better korean bbq in the city for more food at less the price. Overall, it was a good experience. I love Korean BBQ and this place is on the list when I am in Des Plaines and craving it.
(3)Jeffrey K.
It's been years since I last had Korean BBQ in LA's Korea Town, so I was excited to find the New Soul Restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines. Having lunch for one on a Wednesday doesn't warrant the full-on Korean table top BBQ experience, but it doesn't mean I can't enjoy a good Korean meal. I asked my server for suggestions, and she gladly obliged. After waxing poetically on the merits of lean beef, chicken, or slightly 'fattier' pork entrees, I decided on my server's favorite, the spicy (slightly fattier) pork dish. In just a few minute's time a sizzling platter arrived at my table with the usual accompaniment of kimchee, pickled radish, cucumbers, and others too numerous to mention. My server stated she had the kitchen trim the pork more lean for me, the "Western customer." I appreciated the concern for my well-being, however unnecessary it may have been. Bottom line, the pork was delicious, and the sides an excellent balance to the entree dish. I was amused that I merited attention as the "Western customer," though I certainly appreciated the menu suggestions and care I received. I look forward to returning when I find myself again in the Chicago area.
(4)Starrlite D.
No offense positive raters...but seriously?! This place..based on the good reviews on yelp.. Had me all giddy and excited about going to eat some good Korean galbi. I actually brought my Korean cousins (who were visiting me and was hankering for some galbi) to new seoul based on the good reviews. This is the worst galbi place. EVER. I hated it thoroughly. Okay, before I get into details, I would just like to say I just moved back to the states 3 years ago after living in Korea for a decade. (I lived in Korea for 20 years all together). So I know my galbi. Also, I know NOT to expect what I used to have in Korea. I know it's almost impossible. I am a very generous rater also. I don't think any restaurant deserves one star, but this place certainly does. First of all, the service was horrendous. Even for a Korean restaurant. The lady that served us (middle aged Korean lady) THREW our bill at us even before we asked for the check. While we were still eating. She and other servers were just rude all around. Secondly, their marinated beef galbi. Very small portions for the price, and didn't even use the right cut of beef. Side dishes were bland, and the soy bean soup (dwenjang) was just disgusting. The only thing this place has going is their charcoal. That's about it. Myself being a half Korean, my husband being a Korean, we know what to expect when we visit Korean restaurants. However, this place was just so appauling We would never go back.
(1)Matt W.
I took a couple of my fellow korean friends to eat here, and they were very impressed. But to my surprise, the Pajun and the spicy tofu soup were the highlites of the night. Not to take away from the bbq (very flavorful with great cuts) but the pajun was probably the best pajun my korean friends have ever eaten. If you are in the area , definitely try this one out. You will come out smelling like korean bbq though :)
(4)Jenny P.
My husband & I have been coming here whenever we need a Korean bbq fix; very authentic. The food is good as any other Korean BBQ joints around Chicago land & even (dare I say it?) LA. The star of this place is the Kalbi! What makes this place shine versus other Korean bbq is they use real wood versus gas/propane gas. The hardwood charcoal gives that extra flavor. (Most of bbq places in the burbs use gas) The food is always consistently good, from the marinated meat (beef, pork, chicken or whatever) & for those who are brave enough to go beyond the bbq meat they have an excellent hearty, yummy for your tummy soup(s)-spicy beef vegetable soup, ox tail soup, kimchee gigae to name a few. One thing about Korean cuisine is that you don't have to be a meat eater to enjoy Korean food -Bi Bim Bop, Chap-chae & all those side dishes!!!! Yum Yum! My only criticism of this place is the air vent above the bbq pit, needs to be clean I was in for lunch last week and noticed that the lip of the air vent had grease collected around it yuk! (On my previous visit grease dropped on my head and on my food). Mr Kim & staff are putting out good authentic Korean food & my husband and I can't be happier. Yum Yum!
(4)Danny Y.
In my non-expert opinion, this is as close to authentic Korean BBQ as I have experienced in Illinois. It reminded me of the many Korean BBQ restaurants I used to frequent in Los Angeles. The highlight here compared to some other restaurants is the side dishes they provide at the beginning of the meal - excellent quality and fresh. Tastes like they made it fresh, and not out of a jar from H-Mart. Most items are fairly priced, with the exception of the Kalbi (Galbi), which costs an outrageous $22/plate! For those of you unfamiliar with Korean food, I went with several coworkers who have never tasted Korean food, and the Bulgogi ($10) and Galbi ($22) were easily crowd favorites. They also really seemed to like the idea of the unlimited side dishes. I also had the kimchi chigae (soup) @ $8, and the Soon tofu (spicy tofu) @ $8. Both are my personal favorites, but didn't seem to please the taste-buds of my fellow coworkers so much due to the slightly sour flavor derived from the kimchi in the soups. Anyway, lots of ranting, but the synopsis is simple. Check this place out! It may not look like much from the outside, but the food is terrific.
(3)KuangYou C.
Food was good. Service was great and kind. The only downside was the stove and frame. It seemed the fire there was too strong so be ready to face smoke when you BBQ. Also, the frame was easy to get burned so was the meat. If you don't flip over your meat or veggie often, they will get burned fast and easily. They don't give you a big portion of food but enough for your stomach!
(3)Julie G.
In a tiny strip mall under a little blue awning this place is so unassuming, but oh boy, does it rock. I cannot say enough good things about this gem. However tiny in size, seating approximately 30 maximum, this Korean BBQ restaurant makes up for it in quality of food and service. The owners and wait staff are uber friendly and will answer any questions you have regarding the menu or how to cook your BBQ properly. All the meat is perfectly marinated and so tasty. They also do chop chae, a noodle dish, which a lot of BBQ places don't ... super bonus. I love the fact that they chill their beer mugs, so when you pour there is the faintest hint of beer slushie on top. This is the only place my best friend will meet up for dinner at, as well as the only place I will get my Korean BBQ fix (yes, it's that addictive). Get ready to reek of BBQ from head to toe when you dive into New Seoul!
(5)Steve C.
We were up near Chicago picking up a boat found this place in the yellow pages . What a great place to eat. The owner was friendly and fun to talk too and the food was GREAT !!!!! I WANTTO GO BACK AGAIN !!! If you want some good Korean food go here !!!
(5)Izzy N.
I can't believe I found this place in the dark and got home perfectly fine, also in the dark. I was getting real nervous on the drive out here because it seemed so far from the city, totally desolate and it was real dark, making it difficult to decipher where I was at and what the street signs said, AND I was hungry. waaaaah. Yeah, I've still yet to pick up that GPS device. I've been busy damnit. So my point is though, is that it's pretty easy to find if you want to venture out here and you don't live out in Des Plaines. I ordered their bulgogi and a seafood pancake with no fish. I think there was a misunderstanding because on their menu it said fish, shrimp, blah blah blah but I hate cooked fish so I pointed out that I want no fish and the pancake came out completely devoid of any protein, just a bunch of onions. You Suck. I didn't assume that no fish meant no shrimp nor other seafood to other people. Would I order it again? Absolutely not, there's much better in Chicago. The bulgogi though was very good. That was good grilling for a fall night. I'd venture out here again if I was in the mood for a mini road trip.
(3)Natasha O.
Oh Yelp, how happy I am that I have found thee... My epicurean experiences seem never to go wrong since I have started to follow your followers' whims. My family and I just got back from trying this place, and it made me want to cry I was so happy with the place. It reminded me so much of the Korean BBQ places I used to go to in Beijing (where there's a huge immigrant population and thus lots of authentic fare). As if that weren't enough, the owners are absolutely adorable! The service is quick and attentive and they are so friendly and welcoming of our random questions. I highly recommend the baby octopus as it was some of the most tender I've had in a long time. Do be prepared, however, to come out of there emanating the scent of charcoal and smoke. While you may view it as a sign of a satisfying Korean BBQ experience, your friends may be confused by your new taste in colognes. :)
(5)Emily K.
First time eating Korean BBQ and it was pretty excellent. The good news is you'll come home reeking of BBQ out of every pore. The bad news is you'll come home reeking of BBQ out of every pore, which might limit the moments/occasions you can eat here. The menu is huge and we each ordered a pork dish. After we ordered the waitress immediately brought out a zillion bowls of random food. We kind of just stared at it and then back at her, which is when she went through everything and showed us what to use it for. Once our meat arrived she also threw the first few slices on the grill to explain how to cook it and the approx. time it takes so it's not overdone. Overall really knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff and a unique dining experience. Great food. Expect a long, leisurely dinner though- we were "finished" a good 30 minutes before we got our check. Not that we minded. We just kind of kept throwing stuff on the grill to pick at.
(4)Bernard P.
Went in today and was greeted by the fabulous and gorgeous manager, Un-Jun. Service is still top notch. Today I had their Gal Bi Tang which is tender short rib, served with green onions, noodles and an egg garnish all in a fiery broth. The verdict: absolutely delicious!!!! For a cold day like today, this really hit the spot. Yummy! I also had the seafood pancake (hae mool pa jun) which is almost like a seafood fritter filled with delicate pieces of fish, squid, shrimp and green onion served with a tangy soy sauce. Crispy, mouth-watering, seafood filled goodness!!!! What I also love about this place is the fact that you can order your food super spicy hot (if you dare) or mild (if you don't feel like having a "burning butt" a few hours later). Either way, they are very accomodating which is awesome, especially since everything is cooked fresh to order unlike some other restaurants. My wife can't handle very spicy food, but she loves Korean food. Yes, she is that brave, haha! However, here at New Seoul, they at least give her an option for mild if she just wants to take a break from super hot. I can't wait to go back and try another new item off their extensive menu. Of course, I'll keep you updated so don't be sad. In the meantime, get your ass over here and experience this new level of Korean cuisine at its best for yourself!!!! Oh by the way, the owner read my last review and upon this visit, presented me with.....potato salad!!!! It's great that the owner, Mr. Kim and Un-Jun are so open to suggestions. They really do love and appreciate their customers here!!! Grandma is the best!!! You'll know what I mean when you get there ;)
(5)Carmen M.
Excellent Korean BBQ! I came here for my boss' birthday celebration, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. There were various dishes of banchan though I thought there could have been a wider variety. Nevertheless the banchan was still delish! Now on to the actual BBQ. The meats were perfectly marinated and cut into small pieces which I appreciated very much. No one wants to grill a huge piece of meat and then have to cut it themselves. Too much work when all you want to do is eat your deliciously grilled meaty creation. The meat was tender and flavorful. I was surprised by the excellent service. The waiter came and replaced the grill pan about three times so that the meats won't be grilled on a burnt pan. The service overall was fabulous. Although a little bit far from the city this place has excellent Korean BBQ.
(5)CoffeeMan v.
Had few friends visit me from Iowa, I thought it would be nice to bring them try something different. Went this place because it was highly Rated. Orders BBQ beef and Pork. The Beef was OK, But when it came to the pork, we found WORM on it ! When asking waitress for an explanation she insisted it was part the greens. Hello, it was Moving and Twisting. We asked for a full refund on the pork because no one was gonna eat it, but all they did were pick out the piece of pork with worm on and returned us the same plate, still we got charged full price! Other then this "incident", this place is lack of services, take forever to response, asked rice in the beginning but was served when we almost finish dinning. would not recommend.
(1)Vince S.
Awesome food in an unassuming strip mall. Came here intent on grillin' some food but I guess I had to let them know ahead of time because it arrived cooked. Wish I woulda had the option. $8 for a beer!?!? I was at a strip mall, not a strip club!! I will go back again though, letting them know I want to do the grilling this time.
(4)Tony C.
Once mentioned by a Korean dude as the "best koreab bbq joint in the burbs". Tough claim fella, there are a dozen to chose from. Finally made it here for dinner after numerous lunches and i gotta say: it's tough to beat. Yes, we known SSGS has a million panchan, we known hae woon dae and even Garden have live coals. But New Seoul has SOUL. Owned by a elderly couple, this joint has a smorgasbord of cuts, not just your daeji bulgogi, your kalbi and bulgogi, they've got briskets, they've got beef tongue, chadol baegi tripe, flanks, and the hot trend of trends: sam gyup sal. coupled with live coals and an excellent iron grill and the hard to find thin-slice daikon (which i use, in addition to lettuce, as a wrap), this place can do no wrong.
(5)Jess L.
Very warm & friendly staff. Greeted right away. Generous serving sizes & food had wonderful flavor. I have never been so happy after a meal. Can not wait to return!
(5)Dan O.
The search for Chicago's best Korean restaurant continues... and I must keep looking. The service was above average and the food was good, but why is it so hard to find a Korean restaurant that is clean and presentable. If you're looking to eat bbq as your primary dish, try your luck somewhere else. Party of 3 bill came out to over $100.. for lunch.
(3)Dave L.
This place is by far the most awesome Korean BBQ in the near Chicago area. I was coming back from Downtown Chicago with my date, but due to the heavy downpour, traffic was horrendous. Sad to say, we got to the restaurant almost 30 minutes past closing time. Believing that the restaurant was closed, we walked in hoping to get something to go at the very least if possible (fingers were crossed). To my surprised, not only did the owner invite us in with open arms, but insisted that we dine in. What a great service and a kind owner! My date and I ordered Soon Doo Boo and Korean BBQ Galbi. Both were more than stellar on my scale and deserves more than just the mere five star that yelp has to offer. I give this place 10 stars if that were an option.
(5)Kin L.
It was a cold Sunday afternoon, and we wanted Soon Doo Bu to warm up our tummies. When we arrived to the place, it was closed! what is it with restaurants in the Chicago area being closed on a Sunday? I get hungry on Sundays too! Disappointed, we went in search of another place and ended up at New Seoul BBQ. Seeing that this is a Korean BBQ joint, we took off our coats and whatever we could before entering to make sure we didn't stink up our clothes. The chill in the air went right into our bones, so we we ran to the entrance. When we walked inside, I noticed the upper half of the place was filled with a thick cloud of hazy and wispy smoke. Who let off a smoke grenade in here? Oh, it's coming from the other customers' BBQ. It didn't seem like the exhausts were turned on, hence the smoke cloud. Granted there were only 2 other occupied tables, were the owners trying to cut cost? If so, bad move. What were the chances of dying from carbon monoxide poisoning with a wad of kimchi in my mouth? I'd say pretty high. We were seated at one of the booths. As we waited for our food, the visibility was getting pretty bad from the smoke so we asked the server to turn on the exhaust fan hovering above our table. Then it got worse before it got better. Right when the exhaust was turned on, a rush of continuous cold air came down from the vent, so there I was, sucking in smoke and freezing my ass off...I don't think I've ever been so uncomfortable at a restaurant. Eventually, the exhaust kicked-in after the warm-up period, but I was already annoyed by that point. The food was pretty good and the bon chon that came with it was plentiful. The portions were generous and even though I ordered the noodles, I was still given a bowl of rice. That was a nice touch. After all that smoke poisoning though, we didn't want to do BBQ. I give the food a 4, and the atmosphere a 1. So let's just average it out and give this place a 2.5. I wanted to give a higher rating, but the atmosphere was so lousy that I couldn't really enjoy the food.
(2)Boniface J.
This Korean BBQ joints blows other Korean BBQ joints in Chicagoland out of the water. The only problem is for the city folks, you will need a car to get here. For the grilling, they use charcoal for the grill, instead of a gas grill. The charcoal gives the meat a great flavor. During the winter, as a treat, the owners will give you raw chestnuts to grill for dessert. The roasted chestnuts are a great snack after a great BBQ meal, Korean style.
(5)Philip S.
One word.....Charcoal. You haven't had Korean barbeque until you have the real smoky flavor with your meat. The meat is marinaded with wonderful flavors. Many different cuts of beef and pork.
(5)Kim B.
My favorite Korean restaurant in Chicago. Lots of menu choices and the BBQ is all excellent. Try the gool muchim (oyster salad appetizer). It is so good!
(5)UIUC C.
LA-quality Korean BBQ with a nice hometown feel. Lots of Koreans eat here; must be good! The Kal-bi is really excellent, as are their appetizers.
(5)DB A.
You can miss it if you're not watching. Just a little joint in a little strip mall. But don't miss it. This place is a keeper, and a great exemplar of the "great joint" concept. They are also open 7 days a week (they open at noon on Sundays), and keep late evening hours, too. Let me also state that the lovely people who served us were as nice as could be. We had a wonderful meal and a great time. Beautiful wife had heard from a Korean friend that New Seoul was really good. This was of real interest because the place in Riverwoods we used to frequent has gone downhill in the last few years. So, we headed out to Des Plaines one Sunday afternoon. Oh, she was right! This is it! Large menu, many BBQ items for cooking at table, but also a large selection of other popular noodle and rice dishes, casseroles and broths. We started with Mandoo, a dumpling they offered fried in the menu, but we asked for it steamed (Mul- mandoo). They were very fresh, and better than I recall having in a long time. The typical (pandan?) side dishes were served, all very good quality. I ordered the Kimchee chi ge, a wonderful kimchee and pork casserole, pungent and beautiful. Beautiful wife had the Mae woon gal bi tang, beef short rib with egg and onion in a broth. It was maybe even better. No, maybe mine was better. Let's not argue, we'll just have to go back soon to research this issue further. I intend diligent and comprehensive research. Note, later: Went back a couple weeks later with Beau-Fils. It ain't much to look at, but this place is a gem. Five stars.
(5)A J.
Came in recently and took advantage of the coupon.... a great plus. Main differences from my original review was the fantastic service. They definitely paid more attention to us and checked on us plenty of times. Overall I was thoroughly satisfied with the entire meal, extremely tasty.
(5)Liv H.
One of my favorite Korean BBQ places! The meat is marinated so well, the waiters are funny and friendly old Korean folks, they give you a ton of free side dishes/rice/soup...what's not to love? It's a little pricy and not all you can eat, but you're paying for quality not quantity. The smoke wasn't bad at all as long as you're not sitting in the middle of the table and in the path of the smoke to the vent. Will be back again soon!
(4)Sarah Y.
The first several times I came here, I thought it was great. Their food tastes very authentic and good, they give you plenty of ban chan, pretty good service, etc. The last time we were there for some bbq though, they had become very ungenerous with their banchan and inattentive in general. Their food is pretty solid, and if you go on their good days, it will be great. But I'm not sure if I'd come back here again.
(3)L R.
I've been craving sam gul sal (pork belly meat) for awhile now. I've decided to try this place and it was awesome. They brought it out already marinaded with hot paste and at first, I was apprehensive as I wanted it plain but the owner assured me that it was really good and he was right. My tummy was extremely happy to dive into this meat, so tasty and delicious!! The bbq comes with slew of ban chan and soup (miso paste). We also ordered kal be tang soup (spicy version) and it was also very yummy!!! The service was pretty good but for those who are not used to korean restaurant service, it is generally very poor. I thought the waitress was fairly good. If you want good korean food, I would highly recommend!!
(5)JORGE R.
Great Galibi. Being from LA and spoiled by Korea Town in LA. It's not always easy to find good much less great KBBQ. This place is the real deal my hat's of to this family run Restaurant. I will be back.
(4)Janna S.
I absolutely love this place!! The decor was pleasant--simple ,Cozy atmosphere, Which I like. The service is super friendly, even the owners are super friendly as well. The kalbi and beefs that they use are top quality!! That is why I kept going back to this place everytime when I'm in town. I'm a regular customer here for over five years!! If you guys ever stop by in chicago, please stop this place!!! The kalbi just melts in your mouth.
(5)Jeanne L.
I still haven't tried the bbq buffet (do they have one here? not sure), but I came back one more time and had the bulgogi again and the spicy pork. Both were good, but again, this place is a bit pricey. Their marinades are great though. One thing that was a little weird though was that we were seated at a table next to the owner (I think) who was at another table doing work on his computer. It was slightly odd, but it wasn't a deal breaker or anything. But a better restaurant would probably have their employees do computer work in the office restaurant or at the hostess desk... just sayin.
(3)Amanda C.
I LOVE NEW SEOUL! Who knew such a great place would be right down the street from my house!? When you first walk in you are welcomed by the nicest, most friendly people you could ever hope for! They really make you feel special by their attentiveness and kind gestures such as free fruit or free refills on appetizers. I have gone to many Korean BBQs and dealt with poor service, but this place blows every other place out of the water when it comes to service. The dol sot bi bim bop is some of the best I've ever had. They have the grainy stone pots instead of the smooth ones, which makes for a much better texture. Their sauce is also perfect... spicy and not too sweet. If you go, I highly recommend this dish. The appetizers there are always different and they are always amazing. They usually give 6 or 7, which is more than most other places I've been to. I have never left this place hungry! MMMMMM GOOD! My only complaint would be the decor... the walls look dingy from all of the smoke and the floor mats must have never been changed. They should really revamp the place because those nice people deserve to work in a nice environment! A++++ NEW SEOUL! Manders loves you!
(5)John N.
amazing, just wish they had all you can eat :(
(5)