Perilla (Chicago)

Overview

Perilla Korean BBQ in Chicago’s West Loop elevates the KBBQ experience with a stylish, steakhouse-inspired atmosphere and a menu packed with premium cuts like A5 Wagyu and heritage pork belly. The dining experience is interactive, as guests grill their own meats on sleek tabletop grills, while an array of flavorful banchan sides complement the feast. With its chic ambiance, attentive service, and a creative menu that blends tradition with innovative twists, Perilla offers an upscale, yet approachable, Korean BBQ experience perfect for everything from casual dinners to special occasions.

• Address: 401 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654 (West Loop location reviewed, Riverwalk location also open)

• Website: perillachicago.com

• Instagram: @perillafare

• Meat Quality: Premium cuts like Wagyu tartare, Miyazaki A5, and heritage pork belly. Excellent quality, but expect a steakhouse price.

• Banchan: A $15 grill set gives you a variety of sides like kimchi, pickles, and japchae. Fresh and generous, with both classic and creative options.

• Service: Friendly and laid-back. Staff sets up the grill and explains the menu, then leaves you to grill your own meats with occasional check-ins.

• Grill Skills: DIY grilling! You handle the tongs here, so bring your grilling game. The top-notch grills ensure a smoke-free experience.

• Vibes: Sleek and modern with exposed brick, big windows, and a Michelle Obama mural. Urban-chic, with a crowd that includes date nights and office groups.

• Wait Times/Reservations: Reservations are a must, especially on weekends. Walk-ins may face a wait.

• Price: $$$. Expect to pay $60–$80+ per person for premium meats and a refined experience.

Menu Highlights

Perilla’s menu offers a variety of tasting plates that showcase the best of Korean BBQ. The Traditional Tasting Plate includes heritage pork belly, marinated short rib, and LA galbi, delivering a perfect balance of flavors. For a more upscale experience, the Premium Tasting Plate features USDA prime short rib, Mishima Wagyu hanger, and prime ribeye, while the Chef’s Tasting Plate goes all out with Miyazaki A5 Wagyu and dwenjang-cured pork belly. If you’re after something classic, the LA Galbi is a crowd-pleaser with sweet soy-marinated short ribs that practically melt on the grill.

The Heritage Pork Belly offers a fatty, meaty bite perfect for lettuce wraps, while the Dwenjang Cured Pork Belly adds a unique twist with fermented soybean paste for a richer, nuttier flavor. Non-BBQ options like Wagyu Chobap, steak-topped rice balls with caviar, are great for starting your meal on a fun note, and the Scallion Pancake is a light, crispy treat.

For comfort food, Korean Fried Chicken Wings are sticky and addictive, and the Fire Chicken delivers smoky, spicy heat with melted cheese. The Korean Steamed Egg is a fluffy, savory custard that pairs perfectly with the spicier dishes. If you're craving something soupy, the Kimchi Jjigae or spicy pork stew won’t disappoint. For a satisfying finish, Kimchi Fried Rice with bacon, egg, and blue cheese is a must.

To round out the meal, the Banchan + Sides set is packed with fresh sides like kimchi, japchae, and scallion salad. It's generously refilled on request, ensuring you’ve got plenty to complement your grilled meats.

Service

The vibe at Perilla is unpretentious. Servers are friendly and knowledgeable but not hover-y. They’ll light the grill for you and drop off the first round of banchan, then retreat to let you play chef. We never felt rushed or ignored – they check in promptly and will cheer you on if you perfectly sear a ribeye. Since it’s not full-service AYCE, staff won’t personally flip your pork belly for you. If you need tips, just flag them; otherwise, expect to man the grill yourself. For booze service, the cocktail menu is small but strong (soju cocktails, some Korean beer, a solid wine list).

Atmosphere & Vibes

Perilla doesn’t feel like a typical KBBQ hole-in-the-wall. Instead, picture a sleek West Loop lounge with high ceilings, plants, and art on the walls – even an elegant mural of Michelle Obama in hanbok on the storefront. The lights are low-ish (but not disco dark), and K-pop or indie Korean tunes hum in the background. It’s lively but not a circus: couples quietly grill at candlelit tables, and groups share hearty laughs. Even with grills on, the room is relatively smoke-free (excellent ventilation), so you walk out smelling like dinner, not an ashtray. In short, it’s casual enough to relax in jeans but polished enough for date night.

Wait Times & Reservations

Reservations are highly recommended. Perilla books via OpenTable, and on weekends or holidays it fills up fast. If you try walk-in on a Friday/Saturday after 7pm, plan on waiting (or be ready to improvise drinks in the bar area). The kitchen and grill run smoothly enough that tables don’t turn insanely fast, so don’t expect a quick in-and-out. If you hate waiting, aim for an early weekday or make a reso for later in the evening. Note they’re closed Monday and only open for dinner (roughly 5–9pm Tue–Thu, 5–11pm Fri–Sat, 5–9pm Sun).

Price & Value

Perilla leans upscale. Even a basic dinner (a couple of meat orders plus sides) can easily push $60–$75 per person, especially if you add cocktails or wine. The lunch special and Sunday supper deals are cheaper ways to try it, but the full experience is dinner. You’re paying for quality: these are premium cuts and creative dishes (and Chicago rent). Michelin recognized this with a Bib Gourmand, essentially saying “great cooking for the price”. And indeed, while you will spend more here than at AYCE joints, most diners feel it’s worth it for the top‑notch ingredients and ambiance.

Final Verdict

Perilla is worth it if you crave a polished, meaty Korean BBQ experience. It’s not the boisterous tacky KBBQ of memory – it’s more refined, with steakhouse flair and modern twists (cheesy fire chicken, wagyu tartare, etc.). But the core is still great BBQ: exceptional pork belly, tasty short ribs, crisp pork wraps, and a ton of satisfying sides. We left full and happy (albeit a bit lighter in the wallet), planning our next visit on the way home. If you want high‑end KBBQ in Chicago – the kind with cloth napkins and foie gras‑style upgrades – Perilla hits the spot.