Del Seoul

The food is authentic and the flavors are good. The short ribs were flavored just right and a little sweet and cooked well but still warm and moist. It came on a bed of onions which tasted great and the bento box also included a salad that had dressing that was perfectly light and a bit gingery and sweet and was not overbearing. Normally, I have to ask for dressing on the side, but here I can eat it the way they mix it in.And the rice had some thick sauce w oyster and teriyaki like flavor which I didn’t like because it was too strong and salty and didn’t go with the Kalbi and salad, but the rest of the box was great. The spicy tofu soup was too spicy for me, but it included enough seafood like clams, mussels, High quality chuck like meat for beef with no fat, shrimp, and lots of soft silken tofu. I wish they would allow at least mild or spicy as they told us they already make it a certain spice level and cannot change it. Next time I won’t be buying the spicy tofu soup ever again because it’s too spicy. But the other food items are good and we will be happy to return. There is indoor and outdoor seating and a very clean bathroom. They also have free water and a soda dispensing machine. But please do not throw out the silverware because it seems to happen frequently and the staff have to dumpster dive for metal silverware that people throw out by mistake. They’re doing a great job of using recyclable and reusable utensils, but they need people to not throw them out. Thank you. One last thing is that this is not a typical Korean traditional restaurant where you have free side dishes so that is not what you will get if you come here but at least the food does taste authentic. There’s also no free parking on the street. You have to pay the meter through the Park Chicago mobile app.

One of the most delicious places to eat in Chicago! The K-town chicken wings, Sambal fish taco, & Kalbi poutine are my favorite menu items. I miss living in Lincoln Park mostly because I was so close to Del Seoul. Always one of the first places I recommend to friends visiting the city. YUM

Delicious, non pretentious Korean Chicken 10/10 🐥 we tried both fried and a dish I cant remember the name of, it was in the sharing box. Bulgogi bento 10/10 Gyoza a bit weaker 7/10 Would not take the bibimbap again 5/10 Kim chicken fries 10/10 spicy and delicious, the cream sauce went amazing with the kimchi 😋 The restaurant has 0 for vibes but 💯 for the food, definitely check it our for a quick Korean fix if you're in the area ~

So worth the trip! Succulent dishes, generous portions, affordable prices. One comes here for the filling, satisfying food and not the atmosphere. It is the first time I did not resent having to clean my own table, taking the dirty dishes to the open cleaning station to dispose of left overs. It was all so delicious and at the right prices I did not mind pitching in. Blackened tofu taco a winner for $4.25 Mushroom Japchae, vegan, well balanced, noodles had the right mouth feel and the contrast of flavors unsurpassed and for $14.99 more than enough for two people to share. This was the best lunch I had on my two day excursion to Chicago.

TL;DR: Shrimp tacos and cheese fries were incredible, service was warm and helpful, and outdoor seating was a win. Just know: no menu changes allowed. ⸻ Longer Review: As a pescatarian, one important thing to note upfront: the menu is fixed and modifications aren’t allowed. This is clearly stated on the menu, but worth reiterating for fellow dietary-conscious diners. Food: 5/5 I ordered the shrimp and fish tacos. The shrimp taco? Phenomenal. Perfect seasoning, great texture, no notes. The fish taco was also solid, though I caught a slightly fishy bite once or twice. Still, I’d order it again. I had my eye on the kimchi fries, but since they couldn’t be made without meat, I went with the cheese fries instead, and they did not disappoint. Creamy, crispy, and flavorful. Overall, a top-tier food experience. Ambiance: 4/5 The inside was packed, so my friend and I opted for outdoor seating, which worked well. Indoor space is cozy and fills up quickly, making it a bit tricky to navigate. One thing to keep in mind: there’s a "no seating before ordering" policy, though not everyone follows it, which can be a bit frustrating. Customer Service: 5/5 Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. The staff answered all my questions with care before I even got in line. From start to finish, the service exceeded my expectations. Would absolutely return for the shrimp tacos and those incredible cheese fries.

Great food. Authentic Korean dishes. The fusion options are perfectly paired and combined. The price point is fair for the area. Why not five stars then? Primarily, I don't want a restaurant I visit cramming their political views down my throat. I don't care who you vote for our what policies you support--what does that have to do with my dinner? Leave it out.

The year was 2008 in LA and I got my first taste of a Korean BBQ Taco at David Choi's Kogi truck. Since then we've seen "fusion" be a major part of the culinary landscape. While many places seem forced places like Del Seoul seem like it's simply foods someone likes to eat who grew up in a melting pot. Spending time in Chicago all these years I never thought of it as a "fusion" city due to it's long standing traditional roots, but as long as your doing something cool and creative places like Del Seoul seem to succeed over places that don't have the vision. Having been raised in Southern California and visitng Mexico 100+ times I'm pretty well qualified to speak on tortillas and tacos and spending time in LA's Koreatown (largest in America) and Orange County (largest Vietnamese population in America) I can also speak on the other fusion cuisines. Initially I didn't think Chicago had tacos like that, but spending time near Pilsen I quickly realized the Mexican food scene is on par with anything south of the Mason Dixon. From the outside, in the day time the signage reminds me of the fallen Souplantation, at night it gets lost as it needs more color. Inside it's a little too casual for a true Korean spot, it's far more Taco spot. Decor seems lost with bright fridges, fast food style menu, but seating at least trying to keep you there (think wings sports bar without the TV's). Not sure why there are snacks on racks like a bodega. Wait staff, but not full service. I found the tacos (KBBQ, shrimp) to be interesting, but slightly disappointing. The tortillas are a little bland, too large for street tacos, too large for americanized one's. On the dry side, but still toothsome. The flour tortillas are better, but lack the chew and are wrong for tacos. Imo a bit too much slaw, veg on top. The sauce needs to be more savory and the cabbage should be shaved Japanese style. I liked the bibimbop becuase of the full accoutrement and the Kalbi poutine becuase the flavors are so rich despite needing some refinement (kennebeck fries), but it's got great plating, color and balance. Service is quite good as you can tell they serve alot of small young families and pretty experienced eaters, price is pretty good for the food and the area. Ultimately what loses a star for them is their identity crisis. Japanese miso soup and bento, korean meats on mexican tacos, korean meats on vietnamese banh mi's (shrimp one is closer to a po boy. They lack butter cut mayo, pate and maggi sauce. It's just a french baguette, daikon, carrots, cilantro, jalapeno, aioli is closer to straight mayo. It's less about the fusion, but you gotta fuze the best parts of each and you have to get the core parts right first before you put it together. it's R&D and authenticity. My Mexican friends would never let me make/eat sub par tortillas, my Vietnamese friends would never let me miss the pate, my Canadian friends wouldn't let me eat poutine with russet potatos. Speaking in todays terms their dishes seem to be made by A.I. They definitely get the korean parts right, but are batting .500 on every other dish. If you want tasty food come here, but if you want salt of the earth fusion flavors and properly developed dishes (the kind when me and my friends from other cultures cook together) you should look elsewhere.