Palilgu is quietly nestled just off Halsted at the entrance of Fulton Market, offering a unique dining experience that's well worth a visit. Long-time West Loop and Fulton Market locals might recall the beloved Ramen Takeya, which has not disappeared but instead found a new home in Palilgu's basement as a cozy ramen bar. I'm impressed with Palilgu's ability to serve up traditional and modern Korean dishes packed with flavor, all in a casual setting.
Palilgu also offers a happy hour during the week that I'm excited to check out! See the menu below:
Spicy Yangnyeom Wings: despite the name, these wings aren’t overly spicy but are full of bold flavor in a thick sauce. They were a hit at our table—just be prepared for a bit of a mess and maybe ask for extra napkins
Mushroom Japchae: I love mushrooms and japchae, and this dish did not disappoint. It was a great portion for sharing, with the sweetness of the noodles and the savory vegetables creating a well-balanced flavor. I will definitely be ordering this to-go when I'm in need of a comforting noodle dish
Miso Marinaded Sable Fish: though the portion was small, the sable fish was prepared well, honestly melting in my mouth with every bite. The black miso added a richness to this fairly simple, yet really well done dish. + lots of presentation points.
Pork Belly Bossam: unfortunately, I was not a fan of this dish and personally wouldn't order again. I was looking forward to the pork belly since it is slow cooked, however there was absolutely no flavor on the pork itself.
Kimchi Fried Rice with Wagyu Bulgogi: I really enjoyed this dish—the kimchi flavor was not too overpowering. Adding the wagyu bulgogi to the rice was essential in my opinion because I think it elevated the overall flavor.