San Soo Kab San

Reviews 11

DA

Dave Barista

Honestly, food here is not that great. Im Korean and Im not perfect I know, but I do know Korean food. For those who know Korean food might agree with me on it. Why 1 star? To be frankly food taste about 3 stars which isnt too bad, but the service. They expect all the customers to seat and order Korean BBQ for least more than 2 people. When three of us ordered something else waiter completely changed attitude. When we asked additional rice he told us it will be extra. So we said ok fine whatever. Then later we found restaurant was charging $1.50 for simple bowl of rice. Korean do not charge extra for additional bowl of rice. Well, maybe now they might. Usually they dont. Majority of restaurants dont charge extra for rice. Im not just trying to complain about extra charge for rice, but to finishing with icing another waitress, she was older lady of maybe 50s? She simply came over with face retorted knowing we were almost finished with our meal, left check on our table even though one of us was still eating. I mean what the hell? Someone at least shouldve ask if we wanted something else or have we finished with our meal. SHAME... Korean service was terrible. Im Korean and I once worked at cafe and never treated anyone like they do. The owner of the restaurant was walking around with narrow eye as if he was looking for someone to kick out. I asked my friend and he told me he was the owner so I knew. He also told me sometimes he gets drunk and yells at customers. Its just so funny. Im not sure why Koreans and other races go here for something they can get elsewhere. For BBQ, trust me just go to H Mart, even though they cost lot, but still cheaper than here.

---

SC

Scott Wynn

For decades San Soo was thee best Korean Restaurant in Chicago. The price, until recently, was reasonable AND the significantly NUMEROUS and tasty ban-chan was unmatched. NOT ANY MORE! The food is still tasty, BUT PRICES are now double (sometimes triple) compared to other Korean restaurants. Regretfully, San Soos signature abundance of Ban Chan has been drastically downsized. Instead of the 10-12 ban chans, we got six small ban chan dishes. (Gakduki kimchee--only 3 pieces for 4 people; What an expensive joke!! Weve all come to expect poor service and inattentive waitstaff at most Korean restaurants, and our waitress at San Soo today was incredibly inattentive! She rushed us to take our order and then she sat down with several other waiters and enjoyed a huge dinner that included at least 12-17 ban chans. We waited 15 minutes while she (and other waitstaff) finished eating at a nearby table. She eventually brought us our bill. (BTW ZERO TIP). Very disappointed! Very expensive! San Soo is no longer an outstanding place. Average - at best.

---

A

A A

I tried to go here three times in the past month. The first time was at around 2PM on a weekday and they told me they were closed so I left. I came again another day at around 10 PM on a weekday and they told me they were closed so I left. Today, Monday, I went there at 10:30 PM. I waited at the entrance for someone to seat me. A waitress looked at me and I thought she was going to say something but she looked away and went to a table. A man looked at me for a little bit and I looked at him until he finally approached from across the room and asked, "how many?" In korean. I told him "one." He said they were closed. I left and checked the hours of operation on the scrolling marquee outside. It said open from 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM. It was 10:43 PM when I left. In all three, instances there were customers eating inside. I dont know why they keep turning me away but it hurts my feelings because I really want to try this location.

---

PA

Pat L

We must be lucky, we have a wonderful waitress. She was friendly and helpful in assisting us in some of the cooking. We ordered the pork belly, bool go gee, rib eye steak, bi bim bab and chopchay. The best was the pork belly, it was so tasty with the 15+ small side dishes. The nice waitress even brought us extra side dishes when we ran out some of our favorites. The price is not cheap, but you do get lots of food. If you are new to this, ask them to show you how to cook it, there are correct steps. Also if you need to reach a waitress you can flag them down as usual or push the call button builded into each table.

---

JO

Jonathan Kim

Get the kalbi. The rest is not too bad. Been going to the Chicago one for over 15 years. This one is pretty much the same. 80s Korean service (bad). 갈비는 먹을만 합니다. 서비스는 80 년대 한국 서비스 생각하시고 가세요. 한인 업소들은 팁주기가 조금 짜증날 수 있습니다.

---

LO

Lola Perez

OMG! This place is ridiculously PRICEY! And for the amount, HA! Dont expect good service, the waitress sucked, NOT ATTENTIVE AT ALL, forget about getting a refill and asking for anything (napkins, fork, OUR FOOD) I wished I had read the reviews about service before going. Even my korean friends agree about this place not being worth it and wont eat there. And tip...lmao, If your gonna work , DO YOUR JOB AND DO IT RIGHT. If you want awesome Korean food with great service GO ELSEWHERE, SERIOUSLY GUYS...

---

KE

Kevinhiep Luong

Food is good but service is terrible, host dont greet, waiter never talk or respond, and what kind of people stand right at the table and wait for payment, even worse is they send some one out to ask why I tip only 5%. 1st i tip what i want, 2nd because you Korean always racist toward other asian, 3rd is because of the bad service, forget my drink i ordered until i finish the meal and not even apologize. I would never reccomand this place even to my worst enemy.

---

GA

Gaolie Thao

Food is good, but the service sucks. The waiter never came back to take our order, 25 minutes pass by and another person who seemed like the manager took our order. After our food came the waiter decides to cook all the food at once... to rush us ? Im not sure but definitely wanted to take my time eating. Gratuity is included already in the bill, probably why the service sucks! I would only come here if I felt like I wanted to wait forever to order my food.

---

YI

Yin Xia

Good Korean BBQ and food. The seafood pancake tastes very fresh and crispy. BBQ steak and marinated beef are recommended. Use lettuce to wrap your favorite meat, remember to dim meat in sauce before you wrap one. Really enriches the flavor. I also tried fried rice cake and fried noodle (maybe that name?), not very impressed but still ok. The serve there is ok, you may ask for kimchi and water refill (yeah, ask), since not many waitress/waiter there.

---

JI

Jin Kwon

Its okay. The BBQ is okay, but they cook it on copper wires which Im not sure is healthy to be cooking over high heat. I had the YumSohTang which is the goat soup. I found a black curly hair which was gross so I asked the manager what it was. He told me it was the goats hair. Interestingly it was the only "goat hair" I found inspecting the soup. If you are gonna have the BBQ I would recommend they cook it on the normal pan.

---

BR

Bryan Park

Great nangmyun (buckwheat noodles) and kalbi. Nangmyun tasted even better because of the warmer weather. Sweet and sour vinegar and tangy mustard sauce are a must use to fully appreciate nangmyun. The kalbi comes precooked for dinner apparently. The not as salty kalbi was a welcome change. Sweet and slightly charred/smoked taste. Honestly, the meat was cooked perfectly.

---

---