Eric B.
Yelp
The stretch of Milwaukee Avenue through Glenview has become a magnet for Korean restaurants. Choong Man is a wildly popular South Korean fried chicken chain that's expanding with several locations in the USA. But here, you won't find typical Korean fare like bulgogi, kalbi, etc. on the menu. In fact, they don't have white rice or kimchi, either.
The outdoor seating beckoned, so the Missus and I turned into the parking lot out of curiosity, knowing absolutely nothing about their menu. Our server, seeing our puzzled expressions, was delighted to answer our many questions. Meals begin with a complimentary dish of pickled daikon radish (we devoured this and he brought a second helping). We shared an order of coleslaw, which tasted just like the good slaw you get at burger or rib joints, and then we dug into steakhouse-style onion rings that were batter dipped and deep fried to golden perfection.
Told that "snow chicken" was their most popular dish, we decided to give it a whirl. But when we requested the "snow" (a mound of thinly sliced onions doused in creamy white dressing) to be served on the side, our server winced as if to say that's not the custom in Korea! We shared a whole chicken (bone-in, 16 pieces, with thighs and breasts hacked into smaller pieces). We tried the chicken with and without the "snow." Despite our waiter's light-hearted admonishment, both of us preferred without.
Anyway, this was some of the tastiest, crunchiest fried chicken we've enjoyed anywhere (caution: even their "original" fried chicken is spicy enough to make your nose run). Hey, Korean Fried Chicken is the "other KFC!" We can't wait to come back and try their crispy chicken sandwich.