12 Best Korean Restaurants near Urbana

“Literally the gold standard for fried chicken! It’s so hard to replicate that Korean-style crispiness, but they nailed it. Every bite was savory and perfectly seasoned. 10/10 would recommend to anyone craving high-quality, crunchy chicken!“

“i got spicy seafood soft tofu stew and it was so good! it was really hot and spicy, and the seafood tasted yummy and fresh. it comes with an egg that you crack into the hot stew, and it also comes with banchan, seaweed, & rice. i didn’t have to wait for too long to get my order and the service was great!“

“Food portions are very generous for its price, and there are many choices of menus to choose from. I recommend Soon Doo Boo (signature dish), Bulgogi fried rice, Boo Dae Ji Gae, kimch jaeyook bokeum.

Update: New menu has been added. I have updated the menu options.“

“Delicious food and great service“

“Probably the best Korean food on campus, but it is worse than other SGD locations. Most of the time their soup isn’t hot enough to cook the raw egg and the extra spicy soup isn’t even spicy. Their side dishes are so good though!! Their bibimbap is also really good, but again, sometimes the plate isn’t hot enough to make the rice crispy.“

“my new favorite place to eat in champaign“

“Delicious food with reasonable price!“

“We tried tteokbokki, gimbap, and dumplings, and everything was absolutely delicious. The food was clean and well-prepared, and the staff were incredibly friendly. The place itself was very clean with a nice, comfortable atmosphere. Overall, a great experience — highly recommend!“

“I love this restaurant so much. It is easily in my top 5 restaurants of all time. Jipbap has everything you could want in a restaurant—amazing food, good selection, great service. I recommend the tofu or bulgogi and suggest adding egg! It’s worth noting that we accidentally arrived just 15 minutes before closing because we were unaware of their summer hours and they graciously took our order anyway. Everyone should go try Jipbap ❤️“

“I was skeptical to try this place, as the reviews on Yelp weren't the greatest, but I'm so glad we did. We've been twice and have had great food both times. Best beef bulgogi in town for sure. My fiance has had the chicken bulgogi and short beef ribs and thought they were both great. We also had to try the pizza, as both times we were there, it seemed as though every table had it, and I was so surprised as to how good it was. I almost asked for extra cheese, but didn't, and it definitely didn't need it! There was already so much cheese on it, that the cut pieces kept melting back together. There can be a bit of a wait, but both times we've been, there have only been 2 servers, and it's been busy. The service is fantastic and the food is most definitely worth the wait. The food comes out fairly quick and hot! We didn't know the first time, but the drinks are out in coolers, and noticed that it seemed to be self-serve, as we noticed multiple patrons getting their own drinks. We eat out often and this is probably our favorite restaurant in the Champaign/Urbana area.“

“First time trying something like this that it is cooked right at the table. We absolutely loved it and the food was amazing! Our waitress was super helpful getting us started! Great experience and we will definitely be back every time we're back in town!“

“Spoon House is hands-down one of the best Korean restaurants on Campus! Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a comforting meal, this place delivers incredible flavors, generous portions, and top-notch service.

I had the pleasure of trying several dishes, and each one was bursting with authentic Korean flavors. However, the absolute standout for me was the Jjam Bbong (Seafood Soup)—a steaming bowl of rich, spicy broth packed with fresh seafood and vegetables. The balance of heat, umami, and deep seafood essence was perfection. If you love bold flavors and comforting spice, this is a must-order!

Other Highlights from the Menu:
• Beef Bulgogi – Thinly sliced, tender beef perfectly marinated in a sweet-savory Bulgogi sauce and stir-fried with vegetables. Served with rice, this dish was juicy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
• Regular Bibimbap – A beautifully arranged bowl of rice, seasoned vegetables, and a fried egg, served with a spicy-sweet Bibimbap sauce. The textures and flavors blended perfectly, making it a great choice for a balanced meal.
• Korean Fried Rice (Beef Bulgogi) – This dish was a delightful surprise! The fried rice was well-seasoned, packed with vegetables, and topped with a runny fried egg that added extra richness.
• Taco with Spicy Pork – A fun fusion dish! The spicy, gochujang-marinated pork was incredibly flavorful, wrapped in a soft tortilla with crisp lettuce and a zesty house sauce.

Atmosphere & Service

The restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the staff is super friendly and attentive. Despite being busy, they made sure every table was well taken care of, and the food arrived fresh and hot.

Final Verdict:

Spoon House is a gem that truly delivers on authenticity, quality, and value. Whether you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or trying it for the first time, this place is a must-visit. I was always back for more of that amazing seafood soup!

Highly recommend—5 stars all the way!“