CM Chicken Kimball | The Ultimate Korean Chicken Experience in Chicago

Overview

CM Chicken Kimball stands out as a refreshing gem in Chicago’s Korean food scene. Nestled on N Kimball Avenue, this cozy spot specializes in Korean fried chicken that captures the perfect balance of crispiness and flavor. Their offerings include a variety of mouthwatering options such as soy garlic and red hot gizzards, along with classic chicken wings and tenders that come highly praised for their fresh, crunchy texture and well-balanced sauces.

The restaurant caters to those who appreciate authentic Korean flavors served with care. From the sweet and savory soy garlic to the fiery red hot “TIKKU” gizzards, each dish resonates with thoughtful seasoning and quality preparation. The presence of kid-friendly options like nuggets and fries makes it a casual, accessible venue for families as well.

While the interior is modest, with limited seating and a self-serve approach to water and utensils, the ambiance is brightened by an endless stream of K-pop videos playing in the background. This adds a lively touch and matches the upbeat spirit of the menu. The efficient ordering system—available both at the register and via tablet—caters to a variety of preferences, ensuring a smooth dining or takeout experience.

Reviews emphasize the attentive and warm service that complements the flavorful dishes. Though some note minor imperfections in cleanliness or space, these do little to diminish the overall dining satisfaction. Many diners highlight the housemade vibe of the sauces and praises for staples such as cheese balls, pickled radish, and spicy garlic tenders, underlining the authentic taste crafted with care.

Ideal for both locals and visitors craving crispy Korean fried chicken with a range of bold flavors, CM Chicken Kimball is becoming a regular stop for enthusiasts. Its location in Chicago’s bustling neighborhood, combined with a friendly, informal experience, makes it a worthy destination for those who want quality comfort food with a Korean twist.

What Customers Say

Toni C

Dec 11,2025

4/5

If you enjoy hot, crispy Korean chicken wings, this is the place. And their fries were hands down the best I have ever eaten in a fast food place. Also, kind and attentive service with a smile. What is not to like! Lower score for atmosphere because there was a pallet of soft drinks and a bike in plain sight, and I felt their place was not there and they should be docked for it, but that did not really detract from the quality of the food. They have a pretty extensive menu which includes many Korean staples as well as snacks and several flavors of wings and chicken. Unfortunately they were out of a cold noodle dish we would have loved to try, but I am looking forward to going back for more.

Miranda Hamand

Dec 11,2025

5/5

The food is delicious! Everything is so crispy and flavorful. My favorite sauces are red hot, soy garlic, & original fried. Can't forget some appetizers like cheese balls, cheese curds, and pickled radish. We recently had houseguests who tried/loved the tteok-bokki as well! This place has become a regular spot for us. Give it a shot, you won't regret it! Worth mentioning, I always order in person at the kiosk and plan to wait about 20-30min for the food. There's an endless stream of Kpop music videos playing in store which makes the time pass quickly! You can't rush this taste/texture, that's for sure!

Rick Ramm

Dec 11,2025

5/5

This place was great! Seemed to offer to take your order via register, and also on a tablet if you so choose. It could use a tad better house keeping, the tables were still tacky, and some still had coke rings on the table. Overall a great visit and the food was awesome. 7.2/10 on the food!

Shoutarou Watanabe

Dec 11,2025

5/5

CM Chicken is amazing!! The food is so fresh and crispy. The workers are very sweet and helpful. I enjoy the honey garlic tenders! Also, they provide gloves for eating and toothpicks. Great drink selection! 감사합니다!

Dasom

Dec 11,2025

5/5

New choongman location! My other favorite go-to is in Glenview. This one was is now my go-to in Chicago vs the other Chicago CM locations. They have a small parking lot so if it is busy hours, I would get chicken to-go. The interior is pretty small so only about 3 tables for four people and a single window seating area. The water and utensils are self-serve. The chicken tenders were tasty and crispy. I always get spicy garlic with radish and snow sauce and onions on the side. I felt like the sauces here were healthier tasting/home-made vibes. The curry tenders were good too. Overall, would highly recommend!

Emily Reeves

Dec 11,2025

5/5

We had been waiting for CM chicken to open throughout the spring, and finally ordered some takeout over the weekend. The interior of the restaurant was clean and looks well maintained, and the person working the counter was very polite and kind. The chicken was incredibly crispy and breaded very well. The tenders and wings were cooked to have a crunchy outside even with the sauce and a juicy interior. Each portion of chicken was a significant amount, no minuscule tenders or mini wings here. The cheese balls were the perfect balance of sweet, crunchy and savory. And the $1 pickled radish was a steal. We will definitely be ordering here again!

lee Jimin

Dec 11,2025

5/5

We order kids nuggets, onion sweet soy, yangnyum chicken(sweet spicy) . They use fresh oil so taste clean, crispy and flavorful! Its lots of chicken so its great deal for price wise too. Owner was very generous take care of us what we need. Highly recommended anyone 진짜 한국에서 먹는것 같은 맛!! 너무 잘먹고갑니다