Best Happy Hour Korean Restaurants in Chicago
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Urbanbelly
Chef Bill Kim’s fast-casual dumpling and noodle shop with Korean roots and big flavors.
Notable Picks
#1
Urbanbelly
8.5
Urbanbelly’s Wicker Park location is Chef Bill Kim’s Korean-inspired noodle and dumpling shop, blending Korean flavors with pan-Asian influences in a fast-casual setting. Dumplings, rice bowls, and ramen-style soups come out quickly, making it a dependable option for everything from solo lunches to family dinners and happy hour snacks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork & cilantro dumplings, Coconut curry pho, Lemongrass chicken fried rice
What Makes it Special: Chef Bill Kim’s fast-casual dumpling and noodle shop with Korean roots and big flavors.
CM Korean Fried Chicken in Lincoln Park focuses on double-crisp Tikkudak fried chicken, sauced wings, and Korean bar snacks in a compact storefront. It’s where locals head when they want properly crunchy Korean fried chicken with beer or soju without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red Pepper Paste Tikkudak Chicken, Snow Onion Chicken, Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken
What Makes it Special: A Korean fried chicken specialist using Tikkudak fry-and-grill technique for extra-crisp, charcoal-kissed chicken.
Worthy Picks
#3
AraOn
7.9
A Loop dining room that blends Korean and Japanese lanes with a lounge-y bar energy that plays well for after-work dinners. The kitchen lands best when you commit to a composed signature plate plus one sushi or small-plates lane instead of scattering across the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
AraOn Chef Special, AraOn Tower, Chili Garlic Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Korean-Japanese fusion in a Loop lounge setting built for drinks-plus-dinner pacing.