50 Best Korean Restaurants near Buffalo Grove

“Great food- meats , sides dishes could’nt ask for more. Service excellent . We loved the decore.“

“I had dinner here on 4/25/26 because it'd been warm recently and I was craving mul naeng myeon. I was surprised to find it almost empty. I was seated right away and offered hot tea and water. The place is cozy, like a family restaurant instead of a chain. They had K-Pop music videos playing lightly in the background and on a large TV screen, which was a fun touch. I ordered and was served immediately with 5 different banchan options. My order took a reasonable time to prepare, given the required components.

It was plated beautifully, in a simple and traditional bowl with plenty of slushy frozen broth (not just ice cubes). Lots of freshly toasted sesame seeds. The waitress offered to snip the buckwheat noodles with clean scissors, which I happily accepted. I sipped the icy broth first, and it was freaking delicious. Exactly the flavor and cooling umami freshness I needed!

The egg was perfectly jammy, the apple/pear was sweet, and the radish was just crunchy enough to create some contrast of textures. There were 2 perfect slices of brisket. I've seen reviews complaining about the lack of meat, but IMHO this was just the right amount to balance the many layers of flavors. Some dishes are meant to showcase a variety of carefully prepared ingredients, each playing its role. I slurped through more than half of my bowl before I remembered to add more vinegar and mustard to punch up the rest. The banchan was tasty and not overly salted. I lifted the bowl with both hands to drink the rest - no need to waste the tangy broth!

The owner came over to introduce herself personally, remarking how happy I looked after my meal. I thanked her profusely for the wonderful food and excellent service. We had a delightful conversation and I felt truly welcomed into their restaurant! ♡♡♡“

“Food is amazing. Great place to get a lot of protein.“

“Good food, great customer service“

“⭐ CM Chicken – Vernon Hills Review

CM Chicken in Vernon Hills delivers excellent Korean cuisine with a prime location and a great environment. The food comes out fresh and flavorful, and the boba tea is surprisingly good, making it a perfect pairing with their crispy chicken.

The only downside is that the bill arrives a bit too quickly, making the experience feel slightly rushed at the end. Still, the overall quality and vibe make it a solid spot !“

“This place is perfect for Korean BBQ lovers. The unlimited grilled meats and authentic Korean flavors make every visit worth it. The bulgogi and galbi were packed with flavor, and the corn cheese and egg casserole sides were delicious. Great atmosphere, great food, and a fun dining experience every time.“

“Delicious your food 🍱 very friendly !!!!“

“Love the vibes and food! Come here with your friends!!“

“I love this place everytime I go. Easily in my top 5 places in this area.

Food is always excellent, rotating sides always keeps it different and interesting even when ordering the same dish everytime, and the staff is always very welcoming and kind.“

“The food was absolutely delicious, and every dish was fresh and full of flavor. The service was friendly and attentive, making the entire dining experience even better. The restaurant was clean, welcoming, and had a great atmosphere. I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend“

“Unique KBBQ experience. All the meats my group had were of perfect quality. Every single one of them just really melted in your mouth. You've got to try it out if you have the opportunity.

That's not even the best part, the best part was the Kimchi fried rice at the end they served... Was very satiated.

Overall, amazing experience, amazing staff, and amazing time.“

“Everything was perfect!“

“4.75 stars?
We eat Korean food often and in many different cities. This place was pretty legit. Great authentic flavors.
The bugolgi was delicious, the dumplings were good and the Japchae (chapchae) was amazing.
Honestly the cost is great as a lot of Korean BBQ places overcharge but not here.
Highly recommend it.“

“All the food we ordered was alll delicious!!“

“Lately, I’ve been moving away from the ayce kbbq and trying the ones that are a la carte. This one uses oak wood charcoal vs gas-powered/electric grill that most of the Illinois Korean restaurants use. The verdict is that the meat comes out really tasty. When you come in, you might have to reserve a table especially on the weekend. We didn’t reserve, but we were lucky to get a table for 3 on a Saturday night at 7 pm. The restaurant is small so seating can be limited. Parking is sufficient since it’s a shared lot.

The service was very attentive and friendly. This is a family owned and run establishment. We ordered the combination platter (bulgogi, kalbi fingers, and pork belly), mo dum jun (combination platter for appetizers, ggo ri gom tang (oxtail soup). This was more than enough food for 3 people. Banchan is refillable. I would say this is one of the best kbbq restaurants in the Chicagoland area and I wouldn’t mind coming back.

-combination platter 5 - this is good for 2-3 people as long as you have other dishes. Meat cooked fast.
-mo dum jun 5 - fried squash, shrimp, oysters, and stuffed peppers. The stuffed peppers were my personal favorite. Make sure you dip them in the sauce provided.
-oxtail soup 5 - light broth not too robust. Oxtail meat was tender, not chewy. It’s big and shareable.“

“The Food Overall is on point & The service is Perfect 👌 Always We Love ❤️ eating the Variety of Choices Thank you for always serving Fresh Food 🥘 🙏😉😷 5 Star in our Book 😉“

“Really enjoyed my experience here! Had the naengmyeon and sundubu jjigae and it was excellent. Perfect blend of spicy and also good tasting, and my servers were all very quick and polite. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick stop to eat in a Korean place in the area.“

“Went today for 1st time as this used to be another Korean restaurant called The Gangnam. It's a self serve style layout where you order at the counter, pick up and clear your own table. I would say it is priced into the food as it seems to be cheaper than similar places with a wait staff. I also appreciated the self service filtered water machine. The lunch specials are reasonable with soup or salad included. The chicken teriyaki was very good and the bulgogi was good but there were some pieces that were too tough to chew and swallow. I'll try some more dishes in the future as they do have a variety of Korean dishes.“

“Food is fantastic. For sure one of our favorite restaurants“

“The food here was absolutely delicious. The meat was fresh, well-marinated, and very flavorful. The side dishes were also really good and refilled quickly. The staff were friendly and attentive. Definitely one of the best Korean BBQ places I’ve tried. I will come back again!“

“Such great food! Love the Cup Bap with clear noodles and spicy pork. Yum!!“

“This is my 2nd time here and I had a great experience twice, 1 for lunch and 1 for dinner. We tried their Chungkiwa BBQ special and it was very good with multiple meat options, all very good quality and flavorful. My favorite was the beef and the spicy pork.
The servers were super nice. AND we got ice cream after!
The restaurant has a very interesting interior design. I love everything about it. Will definitely come back.“

“It taste the best 🍱🍚🦐😋 recommended even if I have to drive 25 minutes 😁“

“This place is a gem and beats out at least 90% of Chicago’s Resturants. Get these people a Michelin star.. actually don’t cause I don’t want this place to be ruined by its own success. The prices are great the food is like having your grandmother cook for you. You leave happy and fully satisfied every time the seafood pancake is amazing. Bulgogi yes, bibimbop and all the soups.. I have a hard time exploring the menu since I know these are all so good but I’m determined to know more dishes and will come back for eternity until my demise or this place ceases to be. Thank you manna yall know how to make Great food“

“Lunch at CM Chicken was excellent. We ordered the rose tteokbokki and the honey garlic whole chicken, and the combination worked incredibly well.
The rose tteokbokki had a creamy sauce with a gentle kick, and the rice cakes had a satisfying chewy texture. It was rich without being overwhelming and made a great side to the chicken.
The honey garlic chicken was the highlight. The coating had a great crunch, while the meat inside stayed juicy. The sauce brought a sweet garlic flavor that covered the chicken well without making it soggy.
The portions were generous, everything came out fresh, and the meal was very satisfying. I would absolutely come back and order this combination again.“

“I'm from Korea and I can guarantee that it's so delicious that it could even be popular in KOREA!
Especially the Spicy stir fried pork!!
The retro interior design is cool, and the service was perfect! Staff is super friendly!
Recommend this restaurant without a doubt.“

“Always amazing food and super nice owners“

“This place is so good not only did i leave a Google review, but now a Facebook one as well. Hands down the best KBBQ place around. The food is so good. All the meats are amazing even the vegetable sides are delicious. The owners are so nice and sweet it makes you feel like you're eating this world class meal in a family members home. Cant wait to go back!“

“Everything about my experience at Kow Restaurant was amazing! The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was welcoming, and the service was excellent from start to finish. Every dish was prepared perfectly and exceeded my expectations.

This place has quickly become my number one favorite restaurant. The staff made us feel valued, and the overall experience was memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and exceptional service. I can’t wait to come back!“

“My wife and I were so happy to visit this Korean restaurant when we were craving some Korean food. The chilly weather was just the right setting to enjoy some warming Korean soups, and we were really looking forward to trying it out.

To make sure we didn’t miss anything, I had already looked over the menu and made my choice.

Overall, we had great service, and the food was absolutely delicious. I’m already looking forward to coming back and trying their other soups, which I’m sure are just as amazing.“

“I visited Kong Dog Rolling Meadows today and had the best meal!! Hot Cheeto dog, Dorito dog, and potato, they were so fresh! We also tried the ramen and Tteokbokki - they were so delicious! We will be back very soon!! Staff was so sweet and food didn’t take too long to make!“

“Stumbled upon to Claypot by happenstance with my fiancée a couple years ago and have been going back since! I thought I wrote a review already but better late than never. This is by far one of our FAVORITE lunch/dinner spots to go to. The food is so flavorful, healthy, and abundant. The service is very attentive. There are some days where it may be slower because they are busy, but it’s a small location with only a few servers so give them grace if that’s happens with you. I brought a party of 12 one time which took basically a quarter of their restaurant on a busy night. Anyway, I’ve brought a majority of my family members here and they all love it!! You not only leave full and happy, but you feel energized rather than groggy/lethargic like other places. Will not stop going to, bringing people to, and recommending this spot ever. Wishing lots of prosperity and business to them.“

“Our go to restaurant.. the. best kimchi ever 😊“

“This is the second time in a week that we've chosen to eat at this restaurant. It is so delicious. I could go back 200 times and always pick something different. And I'm sure every single time it would be hot, spicy, perfect, and delicious. Such great choices. I highly recommend this Korean chicken and boba restaurant.“

“Fabulous and authentic! The staff were kind and helpful with recommendations and explaining the menu. I settled on a noodle dish. It was a large portion, very fresh and delicious. I also enjoyed the fresh packaged to-go items and took some snacks for later. Friendly and casual atmosphere. Easy parking.“

“Love this place. It reminds me of South Korea. It has all the good food and snackies. My only issue is their draft beer is Sapporo (but I get it). They do have bottled Korean beer options. The staff has a call button so if you need attention, hit the button. The have a small patio but perfect for nice nights. The inside has a lot of small booths so it gives that chozy pocha vibe without the temporary popup tent vibe. Still...love this place!“

“I was wanting to try Korean style fried chicken. I was not disappointed. The chicken is crispy, moist and just the right amount of spice. The menu looks so good, I had difficulty deciding what to get. I will definitely come back.“

“Absolutely amazing Korean food. The owner and the atmosphere are great. I had driven by this place countless times and had no idea that it was anything special -- it is.“

“We had Korean Café cater a dinner for over 150 adoptees (transracial/transnational), the menu was amazing! The food was fantastic and everyone loved every item. Mrs. Oh was so helpful determining the portions. It was an excellent experience working with them.

Vegetarian options: Many vegetarian and vegan options!“

“​I was craving authentic Korean food during my travels, and this place provided the most perfect meal I could have asked for. The flavors were so deep and authentic that all my travel fatigue vanished from the very first bite.
​Everything from the main course to each and every side dish was prepared with such care. It felt as though I had discovered a top-tier restaurant back in Korea. The food was clean, perfectly balanced, and incredibly satisfying without being overpowering.
​Beyond the delicious food, the warm and friendly service made this experience truly unforgettable. If I had to give a reason to visit this city again, it would undoubtedly be to eat at this restaurant. This will be the very first place on my list to revisit whenever I return to this town!“

“Great food, fun atmosphere with games, and very nice people. We had a random craving for a Korean corn dog so we found this place on Google. Ordered two corn dogs (hot Cheetos and sweet potato), beef bulgogi, and the chicken sandwich with sweet and spicy sauce. Everything was delicious! Tip: get a beef corn dog filling. I ordered the sweet potato with cheese filling and it was good but it would have been better with the actual dog. Will come here again!“

“This was such a great place to have dinner for my little family. The server was so pleasant, kind, and full of joy as she greeted us and promptly showed us our table. This was our first time eating out with our baby (also our first) and she made us feel right at home. Grabbed a high chair before we could ask!

The menu has several delicious options. We chose some sushi rolls, a tonkatsu dinner, and with a tempura appetizer. Everything was delicious…everything. The shrimp was cooked to perfection in the tempura, the sushi was excellent, and the tonkatsu entree reminded me of traveling through Japan. The whole experience reminded me of Japan. I felt like I had shifted locations for an hour as we sat in their cozy dining room brimming with Japanese decor.

A wonderful experience that makes me want to come back for more. Make sure you experience this little gem.“

“Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Glenview. Even if you are unfamiliar with Korean food there is something to like for everyone. Service is fast, the food is fantastic and consistent and the prices are extremely fair. The atmosphere is also unmatched with karaoke booths or private self cook tables alike. Can’t wait to return.“

“Good and highly recommend“

“First, the food is DELICIOUS! They have a lot more flavors of chicken available than some other K.F.C. restaurants. The tteokbokki offers more flavors & add in’s as well. You can tell the company really cares about their food quality and customer satisfaction-eg they have steam vents built into the containers and the keep your to-go order propped slightly open until you pick up your order all so that your chicken remains crispy, rather than getting soggy waiting in a closed container! The staff are always very polite & conscientious. LOVE THIS PLACE!“

“This restaurant has the best rose tteokbokki I've ever had! The bulgogi and ramen are also delicious! The staff is very patient and will guide you through your menu selections. If you don't like your food too spicy, they will also adjust it to your liking. Very cute spot. Wonderful for date night.“

“This place is under new ownership and there specialty is spicy bean sprouts with eel and it's very good large portions and also squid with thinly sliced beef in a spicy sauce sautéed but the interior needs a face lift but over all a good new restaurant you got to try will be back again“

“great place to eat, very good service and very large portions. loved it here“

“The food is good but make sure to check your bag I tipped and asked her did she put soy sauce in the bag and she said yes knowing she didn’t and I have a large shrimp fried rice for little ones and no sauce ugh I’m more mad at the lie if it was a accident then ok but for me ask and tip and not get what I asked for is a slap in the face!“

“The kimchi fried rice is absolutely incredible, easily the star of the menu and packed with flavor. If you enjoy spicy food, it's a must try! The veggie dumplings were also delicious, and the wings were very good, especially depending on the flavor you choose.

A couple things to keep in mind: the parking lot can be a bit challenging, and there is very limited seating inside, with only a couple of tables available, so it's primarily a takeout spot. That said, the food more than makes up for it. The kimchi fried rice alone is worth the visit, and I highly recommend giving it a try!“