Il Song Jung

I’m realizing I read Melissa’s review so long ago and tagged it with useful votes thinking I would eventually dine here.
So this was 2 months or so ago. I have been back and forth on whether to post because I haven’t any love to give nor ability to give a report on the experience. Let me explain. Two guys, both Asian and hungry, not that that detail should matter. Walked in on a Saturday night the door was open and a sign was lit indicating that they were. Walked over to the waitress to make sure the kitchen was open. A few booths were filled with only Korean people speaking Korean and drinking up a storm. We got a few awkward looks from the other patrons, I know that fucking look well. A play I haven’t seen in the last decade or so with the explosion of the Internet, review sites and more Americans willing to try these hidden ethnic spots opening them up to a new community of wealth. Hidden, in the sense that they are geared (more) towards their own. The waitress assured us we could order and gave us menus, directed us towards a booth. I had a Korean menu and quickly scanned it, a few really awesome dishes I knew we would order fo’sho. Before we could sit down a manager or owner came out hurriedly and shooed us off. Seriously, with her hands shooing like she’s sending a cat away from the couch. She said they were closed and we had to leave.
I know this drill but had to ask.
Me: «Your waitress said the kitchen is open»
Owner: «No it’s closed, she wrong»
Me: «There are customers sitting here and eating and drinking»
Owner: «no, no, closed, time to go.»
My Mongolian compadre «Fuck it, lets bounce». As we are about to leave I hear the lady mutter something like. «Oh private party» all matter of fact. I turn around and reply «Sure» one guy sitting at a booth looks me dead in the eyes and has a smirk on his face.
This area of the North side, when bars or restaurants of this type are rented for private parties they usually lock the front door and shutoff all open signage. Patrons of the party enter and exit from the rear, so they don’t bring attention to what’s happening inside. If the front door is used, it’s usually manned. I know from personal experience.

This restaurant seems relatively new. When my boyfriend and I went there a few weeks ago they hadn’t printed their menus yet. They gave me a menu in handwritten Korean and were surprise when I was able to read some of it and order. My boyfriend got dolsot bibimbop (his favorite Korean dish) and I got spicy tofu soup. I ordered mandu (the best I have ever had), but I didn’t need to because of all the «half-​meal» food they gave us before the meal. They gave us floury, eggy pancakes with hot peppers in the middle of them, a bunch of dough balls (I don’t know the names of any of these), I think 2 different kinds of kimchi, and of course cold tea that is on the house (my boyfriend asked for some water later, hehe). We were so full after the meal. There was a group of Koreans there, I think they were having a sort of grand opening at the time, and they were eating, drinking, and soon singing karaōke. That’s right! This restaurant has a karaōke machine behind the bar! They were so nice and I sang a few songs on their machines. I don’t think any of their songs go past 2001 or so, but that’s okay. I sang a few classic Korean pop songs (from around ’98, ’99 or so) and they were again impressed. We were the only people there at about 1am and they were so happy to have us that they gave us free Miller Lite!
Now for the good stuff. As I said we were stuffed and couldn’t eat anymore. I accidentally didn’t let my boyfriend know that kalbi was on the menu, but that’s okay, we ate well (it’s a Korean restaurant that has pits at every table, but kalbi is not their only thing, it’s a well rounded place). But the best part is their prices. Seriously, we had «half-​meal,» mandu, dolsot bibimbap, spicy tofu soup, and 2 free Miller lites. All this came to grand total of $ 19!!! That’s right we spent less than $ 10 a person! We almost never do that, especially at a Korean place! I can’t wait to go back!
Best Korean restaurant in the city now, hands down.
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Second Visit: Still the best! We ordered bulgogi which of course came with lots of banchan. I forgot to correct my boyfriend again and he got bibimbap instead of his favorite dolsot bibimbap. He still liked it. We ordered our beer this time (I’m actually not a big fan of beer). I didn’t order anything for myself and we didn’t get a separate appetizer but I was still full at the end of the meal! I pretty much put my share of bulgogi in the provided soup, along with a bunch of kimchi (3 kinds), mushrooms, other vegetables, rice, and dried fish.
The woman who served us was really nice and spoke fine English. They now have printed menus. The first few pages are in Korean but the last page is in English. It includes all the favorites (kalbi, bulgogi, some soups, etc.) but it still helps to read Korean for the things not included on this one page. You can always ask if you don’t know what to order. As usual, you have to buy 2 orders of kalbi or bulgogi to cook at the table but the prices are reasonable to do so.
This time KBC was playing on the TV. KBC is the local Korean TV staion and features a lot of subtitles shows. This place stays open late (we haven’t even been there before midnight). It may not be 24 hours but I would take this over San Soo Gab San any day (or night).
[Note: The restaurant’s name is wrong. The photo is correct. I’m not sure about the address and phone number but they should be correct. I will make corrections soon.