DaeBak Korean BBQ Reviews

Table of six - We had a wonderful meal of various beef and pork BBQ dishes and accompanying garnishes. Services was very attentive and helped us through the various options, combos and dishes. Love it!

If you like Korean galbi (BBQ) this is the place. It is in Chinatown and is not a very big place but it is always packed with people enjoying their food. The food is delicious even though you don't get a whole lot of meat for $30. If you are a bid eater, I recommend getting more than 1 order. The other food is good also. I recommend this place highly.

Went with just a friend and myself for dinner. Ordered the pork bbq and included 4 cuts, cheese corn, bonchan and soup. The food was great and staff were helpful.

Good service, they explain the menu and suggest what to get. They bring it to the table and take care of the BBQing so don't worry. Food is pretty good especially the marinated beef. It is pretty much in eat out so not for a long slow meal turnover is high but it's fun

Such good Korean BBQ! We ordered bibimbap and bulgogi and it was so good! Love their kimchi and soju selection as well. Would definitely recommend.

This incident happened today. I have been an extremely happy customer for four years, until today. Don’t get me wrong - the food is great, its just some of the people who work there that are the problem.. My husband called to make a reservation for today (we have always done this same EXACT thing EVERY single time we went previously - many times) and was told that they do not take reservations the day of. I instantly asked why he didn’t say that we have always done this, so he called and tried again, only to be told the same thing. Then I called myself and got the same response. I told the lady that what she is saying is not true, as I have always been able to make one the day of. She told me that she doesn’t know who I talked to before, but that they don’t take reservations for the same day ever since they have been open. I simply told her that that’s a lie because I have always been able to do this, then she HUNG UP! I called right back, expecting her to answer again, but another girl answered. I immediately told her how rude it was of the lady I spoke with last to hang up on me and explained my situation. She gave me the same response. I told her I don’t understand how I have always been able to make a reservation the day of, when they have never made them? 🤔 She then proceeded to tell me that it was the owner who I spoke with and that the owner says they have never taken reservations the day of. So I asked her, “that was the owner that I spoke with?! That is how the owner treats her customers? She hangs up on people?!” Then she told me that it was not the owner, but a hostess that I spoke with. So she literally lied to me, and I called her out about it. I then asked to speak with the owner or the manager, and she said that she just spoke with the owner and she told her they don’t take reservations day of. I said to her that she was lying again because how could she have just spoken with the owner if she was on the phone with me the whole time?! She then proceeded to lie that the owner was standing next to her and could hear our conversation (I did not hear anyone in the background) so I asked her to put the owner on the phone or at least to say say something out loud so that I know she is there. She then again went on about how she’s sorry, and that they don’t take reservations the day of. I told her that I will be writing a review and that I (unfortunately) will not be coming back ever again! I asked for her name and she said something like “Nium” (maybe Nhung is the correct spelling - not sure) so I asked her to spell it for me and she kept going on with how she’s sorry, blah blah blah. I asked her again to spell her name, she refused to tell me, and then hung up. Needless to say, over something SO dumb, I will not be back. Any establishment that I bring business to (nonetheless bring friends and family to) that will willingly lie and treat the customer this way, doesn’t deserve my business!!!

The place does not accept online reservations for the same day so, either plan in advance or simply go there, they will tell you how long you have to wait and they can send an sms to confirm. A visit is totally worth. It is easy to reach by foot from the red line stop Cermak-Chinatown and staff is friendly. Food is amazing and of a very high quality. We tried the beef combo and the waiter cooked everything for us and we had many small dide dishes accompanying the meet. Add some kimchi pancakes and you are settled. It is a little pricy when the alcoholuc beverages and everything sums up but it is worth the effort

Love Korean BBQ, have had it in LA, London, SF, NYC, first time in Chicago. It was very good. My daughter and I are on a mission each month to try a different restaurant each month, so this time it was Korean BBQ. The servers were very helpful and engaging, from cooking the BBQ to how to "properly" make a taco. We got the meat combo, the small size has a lot of meat, which we still had leftovers, and we like to eat. We also ordered the seafood pancake, a must and very good, along with the dumplings, also very good. So if you are looking for something different, with great food and also healthy, meaning no processed carbs, this is it. Also, they do take reservations.

Excellent and fast service at this place! Excellent food cooked table side! We will go back many times! Kids loved it too.

I love this place. It's a go to. Great for couples, and even better with a group. The pancakes to die for. Crispy, but light and fluffy inside. We usually wind up getting one of the BBQ meat combos. Always delish and high quality meat. But we have on occasion gotten some of the regular entrees. Also very yummy. And who doesn't love the plethra of sides. We recently took friends to the newish Duck Duck restaurant (underwhelmed). And all I could think was why didn't we go to Daebak. So much better!

Came in for a lunch and order 2 soups and $22 per soup is not cheap either. But the server said we have to order at least 2 more meats to start the order. So she won't take our order. We cannot eat there if we don't order at least 2 meats. We can't even order just 1 meat and a bunch of other stuffs. The Server tell us to leave if we don’t order 2 meats to start 😰Never heard of any restaurant having this kind of policy.

Exactly like in Korea! They even have more Soju flavours than most of the BBQ places in Korea. Price is ok, a combo for 4 is USD95, with drinks we paid about USD120. Probably on the more expensive side of the restaurants but absolutely worth it.

Dined at Daebak’s for my nieces birthday. Cool looking place in Chinatown (once you find it). The staff was extremely accommodating and friendly, took the time to explain the concept as well as continuously came around to check on us. We ordered the beef combo for 4, pork belly and a spicy chicken with cheese dish. The meat was good however I didn’t much care for the “sides”. I would definitely recommend the marinated meats as they had more flavor and were more tender. Fun experience.

Daebak was ok, but not special. Enjoyed the soup, but again, nothing to write home about. I’d try something else in the area with so many options.

I've eaten here several times pre- and post-pandemic and it's always amazing. The owner is very personable and comes out herself to ensure everyone is enjoying the food. The staff is always very attentive.

Hidden on the second floor of the Chinatown square shopping center. Good sized portions. Crisp pickled vegetables along the 10-12 banchan dishes we got included 5-inch diameter thinly sliced Daikon radish. Lots of meat! Watching Cooking the side dishes of scrambled eggs and of corn cheese along the grill was novel, but I felt sorry for the dishwashers who have to clean the baked-on food. Pleasant servers. Very clean.

My first time here and it was a blast. Fast paced. Food coming as fast as we could eat it. The staff was helpful with food choices and I was able to try many new items. It was really fun. I loved the soup

Amazing food, waiter is very helpful in cooking the meat. Prompt service, must try the Korean pancake, the egg and corn cook around the grill is amazing.

If you like eating massive amounts of Korean BBQ amidst the sounds and sights (floor to ceiling video screen) of KPop, this is your place. The waitstaff sets you up cooking the BBQ on the oven embedded in your table. Take a large party and you can sample everything on the menu. There are lots of pork and Beef choices. Other meats are limited but the chicken, mackerel and fried squid we tried were great. I enjoyed the atmosphere and my fellow patrons as much as the food.

We didn't have reservations so we had to wait an hour, but it was worth it. We had a great server and liked our table. Both of us ordered BBQ which was served with lots of Banchan :) It was about $30 per person but with everything included, I'd say it was worth it. We would definitely go back. Actually, this was the only restaurant in Chicago that I actually enjoyed the food :/

We had a wonderful time, service was excellent, all food was tasty, good value for the amount we received. We only wished there were a few more options for cocktails and wine.

We didn't go for the full on BBQ experience, wish we had. Next time for sure. Just ordered individual entrees. All were delicious, will be back.

I watch korean dramas and so when we got to this place, it was exactly how I see it in my movies. There's air vents above every grill, there's delicious sou, and a huge screen with k pop songs on. It's not an all you can eat buffet, but for $89.99, we got 3 types of meat split between 6 girls. It was a really good portion and I think it was worth it. The quality of the meats were really good. That last piece of beef we got was melt in your mouth good. The servers are awesome. They come around to make sure your meats don't burn. Overall, this was our first korean bbq in Chicago and it was absolutely amazing!!!

We've been checking this place out every time we go across the Chinatown mall to Cai Dim-Sum. The first thing that you have to scope out is the ground floor entrance to the second floor restaurant. Last night we tried it. It is not the best of the best Korean BBQ in Chicago but it is easy to get to on the Red Line to Chinatown. The prices were fair. Two people spent $35 per person (ordered too much food). The marinated boneless short rib was tender and delicious. The thinly sliced brisket was perfectly sliced paper thin. The only way to achieve this is to slice it while still semi frozen so it arrives at the table cold and piled high in perfect rolls. The selection of 8 Banchan (side dishes) was wonderful. The subtle but distinct flavors in each was amazing. Soybean Sprouts in a light sesame and fish sauce marinade, the obligatory pickled KimChi, Diakon cubes in chili, 3"diameter paper thin slices of radish pickled in vinegar... The slivered scallions in a house-made mild hot sauce, that you use on the red leaf lettuce to make the lettuce meat roll, seemed painstaking to prepare and just the right flavor to enhance the BBQ meat. Service was almost too good. Two people were assisting our BBQ. O.K. we were the only Occidentals in the restaurant; they must have assumed that we didn't know how to do Korean BBQ. Perhaps our use of chopsticks gave us away and they eased up a bit. We did notice that parties of Asians were getting a little less attention. Our only complaint: too much beaf on the menu. The chicken and seafood selections were available in the appetizer selection only and then in a mixed recipe. We will go back but will take a 3rd or 4th person with us to eat the portions they served. They have applied for a bar license but right now it is BYOB.

We had large beef combo (good for 4 people) that alome cost 94.99, had seafood pancake, a soup and drinks which summed up to about 130 plus tip. Food is just alright for me. I say our husbands didnt get full from what we ordered. Great ambiance. Long lines for table can be expected so better call for reservation.

Entrance is a little confusing - enter in mall not on the street. That being said, total experience was AMAZING! My group was the only European Americans when we arrived. That made us feel like it was an authentic experience. The three of us ordered the beef combo for 2 plus potstickers and special seafood pancake. With all the sides that came along with the meal, we were way more than satisfied. Everything was very tasty with new and different flavors for us.

On a sunday night the wait in a restaurant isn't too sexy. And yet this lost treasure in chinatown does have its share of popularity. Yet the wait is not much for the quality of food. The service is excellent and the many waiters will make sure you have a pleasant experience. Oh and while at it why don't you try traditional korean liquor name soju, so smooth. The price of the BBQ is a bit high for 2, however you have enough food for 3.

Ordered various meat, ribs, and other parts and extra pork. You cook it in front of you and the friendly server is helping to cut and prepare just right for you. Many side dishes (ban-chan) with bowl of rice on top of BBQ meat. Located on the second floor to climb up stairs. The address is misleading, and it is better to look for the place from the Wentworth Avenue and Archer Street corner in the middle of small Chinese shops and restaurants. Paid parking lot is immediately next to the restaurant.

We tried out our 1st Korean BBQ. The place was located on the 2nd floor and was pretty spacious. The cooking part was cool to watch as the chef prepared the meat on the grill in the middle of the table. Each table had a little grill. For the combo we had about 10 or more different unusual items to try with the meat that they put in little saucers around the grill: seaweed, pickled radish and other stuff I couldn't pronounce. My husband was the taste tester for those, I stuck with the sesame oil and other dipping paste for the meat. Was a tad expensive for the combo, but filling. Had to walk it off with a stroll through China Town.

Great food and lots of it. We got the Large Combo, 4 people in my group. B1,2,&4. Sodas are cans of soda. The Kimchee Beef Soup was packed with flavor and spice.

Amazing and free top ups of side dishes. Don’t underestimate the portion sizes i.e. pancakes and tteokbokki!

What a great hidden gem in China town Amazing food and service great relaxing atmosphere Our first time here but definitely going back soon The food was just delicious everything is very fresh and prepared in front of you on the table we got the beef combo and it was just amazing Anytime around China town you have to visit

We have eaten here 8 times over the last two years, and will continue to eat here every time I am in Chicago! I have eaten real Korean BBQ in Korea and this place is as close as they get. The service is excellent, Kpop music on two large screen tvs, real BBQ at every table! The banchan, or side dishes are amazing and they will refill them. They have traditional scrambled egg, cheese corn, and onions cooked around your meat. If it's your first time they will cook everything for you too. The brisket is amazing, stacked high on the platter! The Samgapsal is very good with lettuce and ssamjang. Ask for the garlic cloves to cook and put in your wraps. You do need to tell them you want rice or not. Even with the two order minimum, you will have plenty of food left over, a full tummy, and a great experience. If you like spicy food, try the kimchi pancake - you won't regret. :)

I visited this Saturday and originally planned to get barbecue, but I was told it would be an hour long wait. Thinking I’d have a shorter wait time, I headed downstairs to order some street food. I only ordered five pieces of chicken and two corn dogs. An hour went by and I never received my food. I may as well have waited for the barbecue. I asked for a refund at that point, at which the cashier didn’t even apologize. The staff was extremely slow and didn’t show any signs of caring about the service they provided. It’s time they hire some employees that actually care about their job instead of standing around talking to each other.

My first time eating at a Korean BBQ and I’m hooked!! Situated in Chinatown Square in Chicago. This is the place to go! Go up a flight of stairs and you walk into a very nice, stylish, clean space. Nathan our server took his time explaining every dish to me. He cooked the meat and came back several times to check on us. I can’t wait to go back.