Asian Fusion
Urbanbelly
Chef Bill Kim, a former Charlie Trotter disciple, opened Urbanbelly in 2008 with his wife Yvonne, aiming to create accessible, affordable, and flavorful Asian comfort food inspired by their Korean and Puerto Rican backgrounds. The name 'Urbanbelly' itself is a nod to their Chicago roots and the concept of a 'mother's womb,' emphasizing family and community. It's a place where communal dining is encouraged, with large tables designed for sharing dishes and meeting new people.
★ The Legend
Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings
These dumplings are a Lunar New Year staple, symbolizing wealth and prosperity, and are consistently highlighted for their aromatic lemongrass chicken filling and light soy ginger dipping sauce. They're a permanent fixture on the menu and frequently mentioned as a must-try, even appearing as a 'Buy 1, get 1 free' featured item on delivery platforms.
◆ Fan Favorite
Spicy Chicken Katsu Ramen
This ramen is a consistent crowd-pleaser, praised for its delightful balance of sweetness, heat, and rich spicy gochujang pork broth, topped with a soft-boiled egg and chili crisp. It's often cited by regulars as a dish that truly satisfies and is listed as the '#1 Most liked' single-serve item on their menu.
● Chef's Pick
Fried Rice
Chef Bill Kim has stated that fried rice was a staple he grew up eating three times a day, and he wanted to take that idea and make it fresh, market-driven, flavorful, affordable, and approachable for Urbanbelly. He specifically mentioned elevating his mom's fried rice, which was made with Crisco and stored for months.
◇ Hidden Gem
Coconut Curry Pho
While many gravitate towards ramen, the Coconut Curry Pho offers a unique and deeply satisfying experience with its rich, thicker coconut broth, rice noodles, cilantro, and ground lemongrass chicken. It's a dish that regulars rave about for its surprising depth of flavor and comforting qualities, often overlooked by first-timers.
Insider Tip
Chef Bill Kim's philosophy for Urbanbelly is to create 'Asian comfort food' that is accessible and affordable, drawing from his Korean heritage and his wife's Puerto Rican background, blending cultures and 'destroying expectations' with a 'little salsa with the food.'
AI-generated results — always verify dishes and information before visiting.