Michelin-Recognized Korean BBQ Restaurant To Open In River West

CHICAGO, IL — Widely considered Chicago's top Korean barbecue spot, San Soo Gab San is opening a new restaurant in River West next week, its owners announced. The restaurant is taking over the former Black Iron Tavern spot at 401 N. Milwaukee Avenue. San Soo Gab San has been around for 26 years in Chicago, and for the past two years, its location in Bowmanville on the North Side has received Michelin's Bib Gourmand recognition for offering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices."

San Soo's River West menu will focus on the basics: marinated grilled meats, soups, rice and noodle dishes and stews.

“We want to hold back a bit and find our stride serving more traditional Korean before getting into the fun stuff (i.e tacos and K.F.C — Korean fried chicken),” co-owner Christopher Kim told Eater Chicago.

The new location will include a patio, although it won't be open for the debut. Unlike its predecessors, the River West location won't use charcoal grills indoors — only outdoors on the patio. The new spot will use electric grills inside to avoid intense odors from the smoke.

Top image via Google Maps Streetview