MISTER TIGER

I’ve been wanting to try this place for a while, and Restaurant Week felt like the perfect excuse. From the moment we arrived, the experience started off strong, the host was incredibly welcoming and even seated me early while I waited for my two friends. The space itself felt modern yet warm, setting the tone for the meal. We all opted for the Restaurant Week menu and decided to share everything family-style so we could try a wider variety of dishes. For starters, we had the complimentary banchan, uni rice, jeon, and Korean fried chicken. The Korean fried chicken was the standout, perfectly crispy with just the right balance of sweet and spicy. The jeon was also excellent, with a crisp texture and a sauce that added a touch of acidity, which paired beautifully with the savory pancake. For our main courses, we ordered the galbi jjim and two orders of the spicy chicken. The galbi jjim (braised short ribs) literally melted in my mouth and was incredibly flavorful. The spicy chicken was just as satisfying, the gochujang marinade was rich and bold, and pairing it with cheese and perilla really elevated the dish. We ended the meal with the milk ice cream bingsoo for dessert. It was thicker than we expected, but still very delicious and a great way to finish the meal. Overall, I’m so glad I finally came here. I used to live in South Korea, and both the food and the atmosphere genuinely reminded me of the meals I had there. Everything felt authentic, comforting, and thoughtfully prepared. I’m already excited to come back and try more of their dishes.

The moment we walked into Mister Tiger last night, everything just felt right. I never expected to find Korean food this good in Chicago it honestly made me so happy. Every dish we ordered had great balance, and the flavors were spot on. The cocktails with a Korean twist were fun and unique, and even the dessert at the end was amazing. The staff were super friendly, and even though the place was packed, service was quick and smooth. It was such a good experience overall. I’m already looking forward to coming back.

Mister Tiger is a 5 star experience from start to finish. Edison lighting and a neon tiger set a vibey mood upon entering the intimate dining room. Each bite of food only adds to my love of this spot for Chicago restaurant week. Food reviews: Banchan set--cucumber kimchi was crispy and nicely balanced with a subtle spice! Potato salad, cabbage kimchi, and fish cakes were all just okay Korean chicken--favorite app of the night! The exterior was crispy without being overly heavy. The sauce also packed a powerful flavor punch without overwhelming the bite. Rice cakes had nice texture to break up bites of chicken. Jeon--beautiful contrast between crispy exterior and silky interior. Could use a flavor boost on its own but was elevated nicely with the chili oil served with it Bulgogi bibimbap--no notes on this dish! Each element added something to the bowl and the crispy rice on the bottom delivered! I loved adding the gochujang to make the spice sing. Banana chocolate cannoli--such a fun flavor combo on a classic dessert. Filling was beautiful, silky and balanced both flavors well

(Late review) Came here for restaurant week on a date. Huge fan of Korean food so I’m always looking to add a new place to my staple faves. I would say all in all it was an ok experience and the most exciting thing about the experience were the very dynamic and experimental cocktail menu. The food was not bad it just didn’t feel very special or different especially considering the price. Service was very attentive and well versed in the menu so I was deeply appreciative of having that experience in the space.

Mister Tiger is absolutely worth the hype! From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the stunning ambiance—the bar and dining room are both beautifully designed and create such a lively yet comfortable vibe. Our host was incredibly professional and accommodating; even though I arrived 10 minutes early, my table was ready right away. Our server was equally wonderful, friendly, attentive, and full of great recommendations. The food and drinks were exceptional. The Grandma’s Tiger Balm cocktail with bourbon was such a standout. It’s got this cooling, tingling sensation that’s exactly like tiger balm down your throat (in the best way possible!). The complimentary banchans were a nice touch to start, and our jeon with kimchi and Korean fried chicken were both excellent. The galbi jjim and bulgogi were top-tier—tender, flavorful, and perfectly portioned. Mister Tiger nails it on every level—service, food, drinks, and atmosphere. I’ll definitely be returning next time I’m in Chicago!