The Ultimate All-You-Can-Eat Korean BBQ in Illinois That Never Disappoints
Mr. Kimchi Korean BBQ in Mt. Prospect leans fully into that energy, pairing all-you-can-eat abundance with a pace that keeps plates moving and conversations uninterrupted.
In this corner of Illinois, the experience balances spectacle and comfort: flames flicker, tongs click, and ventilation keeps the air clear enough to stay present in the moment rather than distracted by smoke.
Thin ribbons of brisket curl on the heat, marinated bulgogi caramelizes in seconds, and steamed egg arrives puffed and soothing between grill rounds.
A customizable ramen bar adds a warm, playful detour without pulling focus away from the meat. The result feels celebratory yet grounded, built for lingering meals, repeat visits, and the simple thrill of cooking each bite exactly right.
Exact Location And How To Get There
This Randhurst Village location of Mr. Kimchi Korean BBQ sits at 164 Randhurst Village Dr, Mt Prospect, IL 60056. The shopping center placement makes it easy to find parking, and the storefront faces a well kept pedestrian area that is lively on weekends.
From the moment you step onto the plaza, the glow of signage and the steady hum of guests pointing at menus sets a cheerful, inviting tone.
If you are driving, head toward Randhurst Village at the intersection of Rand Rd (US-12) and Elmhurst Rd (IL-83), then follow signs for the restaurant district. Public transit riders can pair a Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line stop with a brief rideshare.
First timers should pin the map location before leaving, because nearby buildings can look similar after sunset.
Arriving around opening hours avoids the prime time rush that often builds into a measurable wait on Friday and Saturday nights. The complex is well lit, so late night arrivals feel comfortable.
Families, date nights, and groups of friends all fit comfortably into the lively plaza setting because the plaza buzz carries right into the dining room without ever feeling chaotic.
Hours Of Operation And Best Times To Visit
Mr. Kimchi opens for lunch Monday through Friday from 12 to 3 PM, with continuous service on weekends. Saturday runs from 12 PM to 12 AM and Sunday from 12 PM to 11 PM, while Tuesday is a rest day.
Those lunch blocks are the sweet spot for quick seating, lighter crowds, and value focused appetites. There is a brief break from 3 to 5 PM on weekdays before dinner service resumes from 5 PM to 12 AM.
Last call for orders is typically around 10:30 PM.
Arriving right at opening on weekends can be a power move, especially for larger groups aiming for side by side tables. Dinner brings the energy many want, but it also brings a wait list that can climb to 45 minutes on popular nights.
Put your name in, take a short stroll through the plaza, and return to the host stand when texted.
Late night Saturday has a fun, celebratory vibe without losing efficiency. The grills cycle clean, staff keep a steady rhythm, and ventilation stays strong even when every station is full.
If you prefer a quieter hum, plan a weekday lunch, where conversation flows easily and plates keep arriving without delay.
Ambiance, Decor, And Ventilation
Inside, the space blends modern comfort with a lightly industrial edge, anchored by polished metal hoods hovering over each grill. Lighting runs warm and flattering, so the marbling on brisket gleams without casting harsh reflections.
It is energetic but not overwhelming, thanks to a floor plan that balances booths for privacy and larger tables for group feasts.
The ventilation system is the quiet hero. Hoods hover close to the pans, pulling smoke up and away so clothes do not carry lingering scents home.
Grills are swapped or the plates changed regularly, keeping flavors clean and preventing build up that can muddle distinct marinades.
Music stays background level, allowing conversation to take center stage. Table setups arrive partially dressed with tongs, scissors, and banchan ready to go, and there is a steady choreography of servers gliding through lanes to resupply and clear.
Between the lighting, clean lines, and that whisper quiet ventilation, the room feels purposeful, contemporary, and wonderfully comfortable for a long meal.
Menu Structure And AYCE Format
The format is all you can eat, with tiers that sometimes include premium cuts and seafood, and a lunch special that tightens the selection while keeping favorites intact. You order in rounds, and some visits may include time limits during peak hours, so pacing your orders is key.
Banchan, sauces, and add ons like steamed egg or soups round out the grill experience.
Expect familiar hits: bulgogi, brisket, galbi, pork belly, spicy chicken, and occasionally offal options like marinated intestines. The restaurant also promotes an AYCE ramen bar, offering customizable bowls alongside the grill experience.
The format rewards curiosity, so mix marinated meats with plain cuts to balance seasoning and texture.
Leftover policies encourage ordering responsibly, with charges applied for uneaten meat and no take-home option for grilled items. Servers will gently recommend quantities and sequence items to minimize grill crowding.
It is a generous system designed to let everyone sample broadly without sacrificing momentum at the table.
Signature Meats: Bulgogi, Brisket, And Pork Belly
Bulgogi arrives thin sliced, marinated to a savory sweet balance that caramelizes fast. It cooks quickly, so a gentle toss with tongs prevents overdoing the edges.
Once it hits the plate, pair it with lettuce, rice, and a dab of ssamjang for a bite that is tender, just saucy enough, and loaded with faint smoke.
Brisket slices are pale pink ribbons that curl at the edges when the fat renders, delivering a beef forward profile without heavy marinade. They love a hot, freshly swapped grill and benefit from a quick sear to keep the texture bouncy rather than brittle.
Dip in sesame oil with salt and pepper to highlight the meat’s natural richness.
Pork belly is the crowd pleaser, thick enough to stay juicy yet still crisp at the edges. Score the slices with your tongs for extra surface sizzle and let them rest briefly before cutting.
The trio covers the spectrum: sweet, beefy, and decadent, all playing nicely with banchan and rice.
Standout Sides: Banchan, Steamed Egg, And Corn Cheese
Banchan lands quickly, a friendly spread of kimchi, marinated radish, noodles, and seasonal picks that refresh the palate between grill rounds. Portions are intentionally small so you can rotate flavors as you go, and refills arrive with a smile.
The variety keeps every bite customizable and animated.
Steamed egg is the comforting sidekick, puffed and custardy, steaming gently in its stone bowl. It is mild, almost airy, and pairs well with spicy meats, cooling heat while adding soft texture.
Corn cheese brings a playful richness, bubbling and slightly sweet, perfect for scooping with grilled bits or crisp lettuce.
Rice is typically listed as an add-on item, so check what is included with your AYCE tier before ordering. Sauces range from soy based dips to a nutty sesame oil blend, plus the essential ssamjang for wraps.
Together, these sides turn the table into a DIY tasting flight, where every combination has its moment.
Service Style And Staff Attentiveness
Service here moves with practiced rhythm. Hosts juggle wait lists efficiently, servers introduce the AYCE rules with clarity, and plates appear quickly once you place a round.
Grill plates get swapped often, and attentive eyes catch flare ups or crowded pans before you need to ask.
Many visits see a server check in every few minutes during peak grilling, usually to clear finished plates, suggest a next round, or top off sides. When the room is packed, the team still circulates with purpose, and an automatic gratuity of 18% is applied to AYCE dining, streamlining the close out process.
Questions about cuts, marinades, or pacing are welcomed and answered with confident tips.
Little touches underline the hospitality: clean tongs, fresh scissors, and swift resets between rounds. If a table is celebrating, staff match the mood without overstepping.
The overall feel is smooth, friendly, and quietly proactive, which keeps the experience easygoing even when every grill is firing.
Price, Value, And Portions
Mr. Kimchi sits squarely in the $$ range for Chicagoland AYCE, delivering ample value through quality meats, swift pacing, and extras like a ramen bar on some visits. Lunch specials lower the entry cost and still satisfy, while premium tiers expand the meat list for those chasing variety.
Portions per plate are designed for steady grilling without overwhelming the surface area.
The two hour ordering window during busy times encourages efficient rounds rather than a single mountain of raw trays. Rice policies can vary by lunch and dinner, so ask upfront to keep the bill predictable.
Considering how many items most tables sample, the per person total generally lands favorably compared to ordering a la carte elsewhere.
Groups celebrating birthdays, reunions, or a casual Saturday feast will find the value proposition especially strong. You could chase the high end cuts, but the core favorites already deliver excellent satisfaction to cost.
It is the kind of check that feels fair as you leave, full and happy.
Unique Features: Ramen Bar And Efficient Hoods
The ramen bar adds a playful, comforting layer to the meal, letting you build a warm bowl between meat rounds. Broth, noodles, and toppings line up neatly so customization is quick, and it is included as part of the AYCE experience, with availability depending on service setup.
This little detour hydrates, balances salt, and gives kids or noodle lovers an easy anchor while adults keep grilling.
Ventilation deserves another mention because it really defines comfort here. Hoods sit close to the pans, whisking smoke up so hair and jackets do not carry the scent home.
The room stays clear even during the busiest stretches, which is a practical luxury for anyone heading to another event afterward.
Grill plate swaps happen often, creating a cleaner cook and preserving distinct flavors as you move from marinated to plain cuts. That combination of noodles and clean air sounds simple, but it is rare to see both executed this well.
Together, they shape a meal that is unhurried, breathable, and delightfully customizable.
Tips For Newcomers And Ideal Orders
Start with brisket to warm the grill, then move to marinated bulgogi for caramelization, and save pork belly for last to avoid greasing earlier items. Keep portions modest and order in waves so nothing overcooks while you chat.
When in doubt, ask your server to recommend a balanced trio for the next round.
Wraps make every bite fun, so fold lettuce around meat, rice, and ssamjang, tucking in kimchi if you like heat. Between rounds, sip water, take a ramen bar break, or refresh with pickled radish to reset your palate.
Request a grill plate change as you rotate from sweet marinades to plain cuts.
Arrive near opening on weekends to minimize waits, and budget two hours for a relaxed session. Keep space for steamed egg, corn cheese, and a simple soup to round out textures.
Leave room at the end for one last quick sear, because the final, slightly crisp edges are always the most satisfying bite.