Cafe Corea

Comfy, cozy, Corea. Yes, I know Korea is spelled with a "K" and I'm sure the owners do to, but I just love going to this place. It's a small place with a tiny kitchen and almost zero amenities (the bathroom is a tiny place up some stair by the restaurant's office. I love the fact that we almost always end up having a conversation with the table next to us and with floor to ceiling windows you get some great street watching. While I'm not of Korean descent, my wife is, and this place has met her approval on all but one dish she thinks they use to much pepper in. In the over ten years we've been going here I've never had a bad meal. Don't let the tininess scare you away. It's a wonderful place to eat and one of the maybe two Korean places on the south side.

One of the most authentic Korean restaurants I've even been to. My family tried a nice selection of dishes. The dumplings are crisp, fresh, and home made. And come with a great sauce that works well with almost every dish (we experimented a bit while trading bites of each one we ordered). Though not to say any dish needed it. Every dish was packed with favor from the start. The BBQ pork was wonderful, the sauce had a nice kick with each bite that faded quickly. The kimchi fried rice was delicious especially with the egg mixed in, and had a heat the built up with each bite. A fried vegetable app. That was like a refreshing pancake, was certain enough for a meal by it self but also enough to share with 4 people as well. Its close the the muesum of science and industry, and a place we we definitely visit when we are nearby again. Sorry for no pics, didnt occur to me until after everything had been eaten.

I'm not an expert on Korean cuisine, but if you imagined having a delicious home cooked meal at a Korean friend's house with Mom's hospitality, then Cafe Corea would hit the spot. None of that Seoul Taco business (I've had and not impressed). I've always enjoyed the Bulgogi, pork Bulgogi if I want to change it up a bit coz it has just a little heat, Kalguksu coz of the noodles (chewy, yummy goodness) and their little side dishes of diced/marinated potatoes, kimchee, sprouts, etc. I'm not that adventurous and have yet to order other items on their menu, but at the end of the meal I always walk away satisfied.

This place is the absolute best. I lived in Hyde Park for 5 years, and this was my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood when I lived there, and its the place I go back to when I visit. The food is amazing, the people are genuine and friendly. I would absolutely recommend this place. While the stir-dishes and bulgogi are good here, I think the (dolsot) bibimbop and their soups (kalguksu and kimchi-based) are where they reallly shine.

Authentic Korean food that reminds me of the stuff my family makes all the time, perfect for getting a Korean food fix in a part of Chicago where authentic Korean food is hard to find. The prices can be a little intimidating, but some of these items are meant to be shared: in that case I recommend bringing a friend or two. And when it comes to the soup-based dishes, trust me: you're gonna be taking some of that home.

Surprisingly authentic Korean food on a stretch of subpar Asian restaurants on 55th by the lake. As far as I can tell, run by an older Korean couple who have settled into comfortable middle age in Hyde Park. I call the male owner "barely smiling man" - fondly, of course, because he doesn't seem quite practiced at that particular facial expression. It's a small place so it's often busy but never noisy.

After reading reviews I was hesitant about dining at Cafe Corea.Then I show up, to find it empty, cold, and unwelcoming (the environment and people). The waiters (I'm also assuming owners) are very quiet, but they listen and observe. They don't offer you anything, but saw me struggling with my chopsticks and politely landed a fork next to my bowl; attentiveness is appreciated. The food was satisfying, in both flavor and proportion. Don't ask me what I ate, I simply don't remember how to spell it-- but fresh and delicious are words I can. Form your own opinion, and get it a try.

I love this place. I'm a Korean myself and I can guarantee you that their food is so authentic and quite tasty. The owners remind me of my own parents. Their kimchi jjigae is decent -although my nana makes a better one lol. If you want to try out an authentic Korean meal within your neighborhood, this is the place.