Nara

Fried Chicken + Alcohol = WINNING
I don’t know about the first time you went to Nara, but I will never forget how sketchy this place appears. My first visit, there was no signage outside and we walked up the stairs and entered thru a door with no visible markings.
You enter into this dark room with one huge window. The place can be cramped, but if you bring a big enough group you can occupy an entire section of the bar. The soju is moderately priced. You just have to be careful, because Soju is a creeper! You won’t realize it and then the next thing you know you’re completely drunk.
The fried chicken must have either MSG or crack in it, perhaps both. The chicken is always cooked perfectly and remains hot and juicy. The skin has a nice crunch. When you put it together with the pickled radishes and red sauce you have a very tasty bite!
The service is okay. Sometimes you get forgotten if you don’t speak Korean or if you’re tucked away in a corner. But other than that, they are generally as helpful and attentive as they want to be.
I don’t know how I seem to end up here. It maybe the soju, but I’m leaning more towards the chicken. Get the chicken, you won’t be disappointed!
#hellaYUMMS

Cool korean bar. Definitely felt like an outsider here. Good place for late-​night noodles and a nightcap.

How did I not know about this place before!!!
Thank you my dear Asian friends for taking me. It makes me feel as if I’ve been transported to a land far far away — makes me nostalgic of my karaōke times in Houston.
It’s on the second floor with large windows overlooking Randolph with hardwood floors, wooden tables, booth, and chairs. Great for group gatherings as you can put many tables together and feel like you are in segregated from others.
The owner is super chill and drinks with patrons.

Only got here cause a Korean friend took me here. Otherwise I’d feel like I stumbled into a portal and somehow ended in some small bar in Seoul.
The majority (95%) of the patrons here were Korean. But I’ve never felt unwelcomed or biased here. Gone here several times and each was a good time.
On random nighs/​time of the nights, they turned it into a karaōke with projectors coming down blasting oldies and korean pop. Fun to watch the random drunk korean people pretend they don’t practice ²⁴⁄₇ at home, come here and sing like its no big deal.
Another random night turned out the bartenders knew someone who knew someone who knew us… either way he gave us free drinks just for that.
Also oddly enough, they have the best pajeon here (korean pancake) out of all the korean joints I“ve been to in Chicago.
Overall: Don’t expect LA ktown. But for in the middle of Chicago, can’t complain. The drinks are OK (flavored soju can be watered) down, food not the best but is grrrreat considering its a korean bar in the middle of west loop.
If you are korean, this is your homeland. If you are non-​asian, you’ll probably be the only one and a treat for the rest of the patrons.

As someone said, if you come here with a bunch of Korean friend, it would be fun. I looked around the table one night as I’m desperate for a drink, and find so many nice dressed Koreans. It was interesting to see all these. This is 5 star.
Now, go to the drinks. Did I mention yogurt soju? It was really cool drinks from Asian point of view. Now for hardcore American drinkers, it appears less attractive!
For the bar food, the chicken wings, the pancake, are ok. But for the price, I expect better.
Next time I need to come with Koreans. Anyone?

A friend of mine insisted upon coming here after he was hit with a craving for Korean bar food so we went. I remember this place when it first opened and it doesn’t seem much has changed. Over-​priced Korean bar fare and drinks in a somewhat fancy setting on the second floor of an old building on the edge of the loop.
We ordered ddukboki and tongdak and while both tasted alright, the portions were laughably miniscule. I think I counted a total of 8 pieces of dduk swimming in a vast plate of watered down sauce with a few random pieces of fish cake and an egg. Pathetic. The tongdak actually had decent flavor and consistency but was presented in 6 golf ball sized chunks which amounted to about a half a cornish hen. Pathetic.
At least the beer was kinda cold.
I do have to say the servers were eager and attentive and made it a point to greet us on our way out.
If you have a lot of spare cash and you insist on a Korean joint by the loop then this is your place to spend it.

The food is fine, but it’s just way too overpriced. It is more of a trendy bar, but with the crowded atmosphere, relatively loud environment, and inevitable mill of people around the bar, it feels more like something in between a lame club and a trendy lounge.
I’d probably give them another star if it wasn’t for the fact that the whole building/​location is just so shady– you don’t know it’s there unless you know it’s there.

Nara is being drastically bumped up in starrage by me. Yes, the prices are a bit more… I’ve now learned to stick with straight soju at Nara and completely avoid the mixed soju drinks. But all in all, Nara is the only Korean bar in the city and for that it makes me happy. Plus, there isn’t a massive parking deficiency like every other American place in the city.
They don’t carry Chamisul which is a bummer for a soju aficionado like myself, but it all tastes the same after the first bottle anyways.
I think what really has brought them up in stars for me are the people who work here. They are much more friendly and much less douchey than at many of the Korean suburban bars. That makes me happy. Also, last time I was in, they had the 90s KPop in full effect and I was in heaven singing along to Yoo Seung Jun, Diva, HOT, SES, and Shinhwa. I only wish I got to stay a bit longer to bask in the music… I’m sure there was some GOD and Drunken Tiger right around the corner!

I would give this more of a 3.5 if I could based on the fact that they always run out of different Soju cocktail flavors. Half the time they only have one flavor available besides the normal soju, which can be upsetting if you’re looking to try various options.
But the food is great, and I love the fried chicken here. It usually seems to disappear quickly once the order comes out… The room is dark, but has a decent amount of space, doesn’t get too loud, and the servers/​bartenders are all pretty nice. A good option if you’re looking for a Korean bar close to the Loop/​River North.

3.5 stars
I guess the Los Angeleno part of me always wants to start/​end the night at a Korean bar. It’s sort of a non-​descript place, and you have to go up the flight of stairs and open an ugly white door. (I really think they should upgrade that door…)
Anyway a variety of soju (pineapple or yogurt soju anyone?) makes for fun times. I’ve only tried the la-​bokki (ramen +dukbokki) which was eh. Too small of a portion compared to other Korean bars.
Let’s just say we all know that LA and NYC does this scene way better than Chicago. But given this is the only Korean bar downtown, we somehow always end up here one way or another…

The best thing about Nara to me is the proximity to my home as many Korean bars tend to be up north or in the burbs. The food and drinks are pretty good and it’s a decent place to get together with some friends for a chill night. The owner is pretty nice as well.
They have changed their hours (not sure if it’s only for the winter) and I believe they are open only from Wed-​Sun.

I love this place! I have been here a few times with one of my Korean friends, the wait staff speaks both Hangul and English flawlessly, they’re all kind and welcoming. I’m used to Korean places looking down on white patrons but that doesn’t happen at Nara. They food, great which is not normal for bar food, the atmosphere is amazing and did I mention the staff was awesome? It definitely feels like a posh upscale bar, K-​Pop playing in the background with a very trendy urban theme for their décor. Definitely not a place to show up in flip flops, shorts and a tee as Koreans tend to be more fashionable and trendier than most westerners and you’d quickly feel out of place. Great local bar, wonderful place to hangout and spend the night drinking!

Would have never known this existed if it weren’t for my very-​Korean friends cause it is 1) upstairs on top of another no-​name place, and 2) has no sign. (BUT, it IS next to Avec!!) You walk up a sketchy flight of stairs but once you open the door, it’s pretty nice inside. Especially compared to some of the other Krn bars in Chicago. Somewhat small with a bar in the back, but pretty comfortable lounge-​setting.
Drinks are drinks, and the food was pretty good. Ordered a few stews and jiggaes. I particularly liked the fish one (sorry my korean friends I don’t want to butcher the name). Overall, pretty comfy setting for a late-​night hang-​out. One downside is that it’s pretty pricey compared to other Krn bars in the area.

where the hell is the sign. and what the hell is the actual name of this place?
oh and its tiny. oh and people are singing REALLY LOUDLY with the korean drama sappy music in the background.
oh and WHY is it so expensive?! holy crap. its more expensive for drinks and food here than in koreatown (los angeles) where drinks are already overpriced by 1000%.
oh yea, im from LA. no complaining??? psh. im complaining.
but. the food was ok. i guess thats it.

3.5 stars
Overpriced Korean food in a loungy area — not a bad place to go if you are looking for Korean food in the loop /​downtown area, but some of the prices for food here are pretty high. The Korean pancakes are pretty tasty, and the fried chicken is decent too.
Drinks are pretty standard — a Grey Goose tonic will run you around $ 10 – 11.

This place felt like an undercover mob meeting place. How cool!!! The drinks are expensive and so is the food BUT it was actually a pretty fun place to be. Very cool and mysterious atmosphere so I felt like a VIP party goer in an upscale Korean bar.
There’s a wall of Blue Label boxes. Kind of ridiculous. Definitely check this place out for a chill night with some good friends.

This spot in the west loop is a decent place to hang out if driving out to the north side is not an option. Upscale? Not quite. But it is definately one of the trendier Korean bars in Chicagoland. Other Korean bars are old and run down, and some masquerade themselves as a bar when in actuality they are a family restaurant.
Their clientel was mixed but mostly younger in age, but with UIC nearby that is not much of a surprise. The waitstaff was friendly but I have yet to try any food. More reasons to come back I suppose.
Oh and it might be good to know they are open Wed-​Sat

Hidden upscale Korean bar! Right between Blackbird and Meiji. but on the 2^nd floor. which is actually really Korean-​y? Haha. (Places in Korea are kind of stacked on top of each other).
Love the décor. I can’t believe I never heard of this place! Korean food/​drinks and yes, Korean music: P Never thought I’d find a place like this in the west loop! Love it.
Plennnnnnnnty of parking, too!
Can’t wait to bring some friends here :)

3 stars for the ridiculously overpriced non-​soju drinks. Got two vodka 7s and it cost me a hefty $ 27. Please — this place isn’t THAT nice.
You do have to walk up a flight of crappy stairs and then go through a really seedy looking door to get in, but the interior is simple and modern. The tables are spaced out well, although if you really wanted to you can listen in on the conversation next to you.
The owner is really friendly and will come by to introduce himself and then pour you a shot of Johnnie. Probably not going to get that kind of interaction with the owner of most other bars. The servers are hit or miss — one was really friendly, the other one looked like she wanted to cook one of us in the next batch of soup.
All in all, it’s nice to have a «korean» bar in the loop.

This place is upstairs from Meiji — just go inside, up the stairs and to the left behind the unmarked door. I wouldn’t have known it was here if my friend hadn’t taken me.
The owner (Alan? I’m not sure about the name as it was pretty loud) was there to seat us and he was very friendly. I went Sat ¹²⁄₂₆ and while the place wasn’t crowded, it was pretty busy given the blizzardy weather we’ve been having.
Beer is $ 5 and the odeng (fish cake soup) was spicy and hot and really hit the spot. While it was $ 17, there was easily enough for 3 or 4 to share. Service was snappy.
The other reviewer said it was a lounge for chatting with friends and I’d agree with that — however the music was just a bit too loud for comfortably holding a conversation. While the music was a mix of hip-​hop, 90s, and top 40, it was not a place for dancing. Oh, and the crowd is almost 100% korean.