Yeowoosai

"Colorful K-pop music videos blast from the TV screens inside this always-busy Korean restaurant in Rogers Park. And showing up with friends is essential, not just because of the raucous party atmosphere, but because the servings are huge. Their crispy popcorn chicken or seafood pajeon make perfect drinking snacks, but we also like splitting a huge plate of Hawaiian-style kimchi bokkeumbap packed with spam, bacon, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, and eggs. The family-style plates naturally make it perfect for a birthday, especially if you want to keep the party going at U-Star Karaoke next door." - john ringor, adrian kane

"From gas burners to stone pits full of hot coals, Gogi in West Ridge is fully equipped with everything needed for a fantastic grilling experience. In one sitting, you could start with sweet galbi grilled over charcoal, followed by fatty samgyeopsal cooked on a hot plate with a gas burner, and then kimchi bokkeumbap crisped on top of that same plate to absorb the residual juices. The different cooking methods add another level of nuance to the dishes’ flavor, and though you can take care of everything yourself, the attentive staff is always on hand to help. We recommend placing a reservation or showing up early to beat the evening rush when it’s packed with dates, small groups looking for a late-night meal, and birthday parties pregaming before attempting all of the key changes in Beyonce’s “Love on Top” at U-Star Karaoke next door." - adrian kane, john ringor

"Open until 2am Tuesday-Sunday K-pop music videos blasting from TV screens ensure that eating at Yeowoosai always feels like a party. And the party can last at this West Ridge Korean spot well into the wee hours of the morning. Open until 2am, it’s the ideal place for a birthday celebration or when you get hungry after a trip to U Star Karaoke next door. And you’ll want to bring some friends because the portions are huge. Snack on seafood pajeon, or make it a full meal with some Hawaiian-style kimchi bokkeumbap loaded with spam, bacon, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, and eggs." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru

"KBBQ is always great for groups, but is often expensive. But Gogi in West Ridge is actually pretty affordable, and has both gas burners and stone pits full of hot coals, and makes for a fantastic group grilling experience. The different cooking methods add levels of nuance to the dishes’ flavor. Plus this place is fun. It's full of small groups looking for a late-night meal, and birthday parties having dinner before going to U-Star Karaoke next door. " - adrian kane, john ringor

"Gogi has everything you need for a fantastic Korean BBQ experience. You could start with sweet galbi cooked over charcoal, followed by juicy samgyeopsal grilled on a hot plate with a gas burner, and then kimchi fried rice crisped on top of that same plate to soak up the leftover juices. The various cooking methods add an extra layer of flavor to the dishes, and though you can definitely show off your cooking skills, the helpful staff is always on hand to help just in case you might feel like you might cause the fire department to show up. Definitely place a reservation or show up early if you want to beat the evening rush when it’s packed with dates, small groups looking for a late-night meal, and birthday parties." - john ringor, veda kilaru