Mister Tiger, a Korean restaurant in Chicago, celebrates a grandmother’s home cooking and marks Chef Min Lee’s culinary journey. Co-owned by Min Lee, her brother Charlie Park, and her husband Brian Lee, the restaurant opened in West Town in May 2025. Min Lee, who previously worked as a structural engineer, draws inspiration from her grandmother, Bong Kim, who cooked for the family after they moved from Busan, South Korea.
Modern Interpretations of Traditional Dishes
The menu features traditional Korean dishes with modern twists. Chef Min Lee aims to bring popular Korean dishes to Chicago. One standout dish, the modern woodae galbi, serves grilled bite-size beef short rib slices on a large bone. The rib meat is marinated overnight, then cooked sous vide and grilled, offering a smoky flavor with a tender center. The dish comes with a wasabi onion relish and roasted vegetables.
The lacy jeon, a savory pancake with kimchi or chives, honors the tradition of homemade cooking. Unlike other versions in the city, Lee’s kimchi jeon stands out for its thin, crispy texture and generous use of house-fermented vegetables.
Unique Desserts and Sides
The desserts at Mister Tiger are creative and reflective of the restaurant’s roots. The seasonal sweet corn ice cream pairs corn gelato with soybean paste custard and caramel corn for a balance of sweet and salty flavors. This dish is a nod to Chicago’s love for popcorn.
Other desserts include yuja tiramisu, which replaces espresso with yuzu marmalade tea, and banana chocolate cannoli using Korea’s Banana Flavored Milk.
Beverages and Additional Offerings
Mister Tiger also offers unique beverages, including the nonalcoholic Home Remedy with Seedlip Grove 42 and candied ginger, and the Faithful Sue cocktail, featuring pisco and inspired by Korean fruit salad punch.
Spicy soft tofu stew, kimchi fried rice, and seasonal cold bibim noodles are available, providing patrons with a taste of diverse Korean flavors. Complimentary ssam platter refills, white rice, and side dishes enhance the dining experience.
A Welcoming Atmosphere
The dark interior of Mister Tiger features neon art of a Korean tiger, symbolizing both tradition and a modern, catchy aesthetic. The restaurant includes a dog-friendly patio for outdoor dining when the weather is favorable. Notably, the restaurant showcases Charlie Park’s skills in bar management and Brian Lee’s oversight of operations.
Service at Mister Tiger is attentive, with friendly servers ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Mister Tiger’s mix of traditional and contemporary flavors aims to share good food with good people, resonating with both the local community and the cultural roots of its cuisine.
Mister Tiger
1132 W. Grand Ave.
312-219-5211
mistertigerchicago.com
Open: Tuesday to Friday from 5 p.m., Saturday from 4:30 p.m., until 9 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Prices: $32 (uni rice), $15 (kimchi jeon), $16 (cold bibim noodles), $13 (banana chocolate cannoli), $12 (sweet corn ice cream), $16 (Faithful Sue cocktail), $13 (nonalcoholic Home Remedy drink).
Sound levels: 74 to 76 dB indoors. Wheelchair accessible with restrooms on one level.
Rating: Very good to excellent, two and a half stars.