Lai Lai
About This Spot
Step into Lai Lai and you’re greeted by a quietly bustling corner tucked inside the Assi grocery store’s food court in Niles. It’s the kind of spot where the rhythm of the day moves steadily — familiar, unassuming, and easygoing — inviting locals to pause for a comforting meal without fuss or pretense.
The atmosphere here reflects a blend of casual sincerity and devoted craft. It’s not a place that demands attention with bells and whistles but rather wins over your appetite with consistent, heartfelt dishes that carry stories of Korean Chinese culinary tradition. The modest setting hums with a soft, practical energy, where families, friends, and solo diners alike find their own quiet moments between spoonfuls and shared plates.
In this unpretentious space, food feels like a gentle rediscovery — from the rich, textured allure of black bean noodles to the vibrant yet soothing kick of spicy seafood broths. Each dish seems to strike a balance between nostalgia and everyday satisfaction, inviting diners to savor familiar flavors prepared with attentive care. Portions respect the unhurried pace, generous enough to nourish but never overwhelming.
The appeal of Lai Lai isn’t just in what’s served, but how it quietly anchors memories for those who come seeking a taste that reminds them of home or an authentic moment of Korean Chinese fusion. It’s a friendly neighborhood find that embraces the joy of uncomplicated, thoughtfully done food, where the human element sneaks in through simple warmth and consistency.
What’s Available Here
-
Takeaway - Dine-in
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Toilet
- Casual
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Locals
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Good for kids
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Friday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM - 08:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
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DK 09 Jan 2026
For me, this is THE best Korean-Chinese spot in Chicago. Sure, there are places like Yu's Mandarin, Chef Ping, Great Sea, Great Beijing, etc but they don't focus only on Korean-chinese food like Lai Lai do, hence in my opinion, Lai Lai serves the best Jajangmyeon and Jjambbong. Now, Jajangmyeon comes in many varieties, but most people aren't aware of the differences: Regular Jajangmyeon: All ingredients are stir-fried, then water and starch are added, resulting in a familiar starchy texture with added sugar or salt. Gan Jajang: Cooked with just oil, it tends to be more oily and has a stronger "fire" taste from longer stir-frying, often more salty. Uni Jajang: Ingredients are minced, so the dish lacks visible ingredient shapes and texture but brings out most flavor. Sam seon Jajang (precious ingredients from sky, land, and sea): Originally with expensive items like shrimp, abalone, and pork, now often substituted with squid and cheaper ingredients. Tray Jajang: Essentially +2 portions of Sam seon Jajang without the expensive ingredients. I mention this because in Chicago, there are very few places offering these varieties, and even fewer doing it well. No one specializes in it quite like Korea, and the closest I've found to matching Korean taste is regular Jajangmyeon from Lai Lai. I can also go on about Jjambbong and the chicken as you see on the picture but perhaps on another review...
Kiljoong Kim 04 Jan 2026
This corner spot in the food court of Assi grocery store is extremely underrated. Possibly one of the best black bean noodles (자장면) around. And their spicy seafood noodles (짬뽕) isn’t bad either. I’ve tried number of different entrees over the years and they are consistently good. Highly recommended.
Maria Fernanda Arreguin 29 Dec 2025
We ordered the shrimp fried rice, orange chicken, and honey shrimp. The fried rice was really good — flavorful with a generous amount of shrimp. The orange chicken was excellent, almost perfect — crispy, saucy, and packed with flavor. The honey shrimp had good flavor too, but the texture was way too hard, likely from being over-battered or double-fried. Overall, it’s a solid spot for Chinese takeout — good portions, tasty food, and friendly service. Definitely a place I’ll keep in my back pocket for when we’re craving takeout again!
Jinseong Kim 21 Dec 2025
This is korean style chinese restaurant. Its inside of mall so not recommended you to eat here when you dating with someone. But if you miss or want to try korean food i recommended here. foods are always great. If you are vegetarian there are only two options. Spicy noodle and mapo tofu.
daniel irla 06 Nov 2025
Tried a couple of dishes here and they are all good. Great portion sizes, but I come back because taste is consistent and so darn good.
George Zakharia 31 Oct 2025
#4 seafood with vegetables and white rice was very smooth, fresh, and not overly filling #6 shrimp fried rice was good but a little pricey. Egg rolls are amazing. No sauce needed. A little greasy but greta flavor 2 for $4
Victor Chen 30 Oct 2025
Best jajangmyeon and tangsuyuk in the area. Hands down. Big portions
C.D. Silbernagel 15 Sep 2025
This spot has some great dishes, but the standout for me is their gun poong chicken. Enjoy a plate full of drumsticks that are crispy on the outside and soft inside, covered in a spicy sauce and a side of rice. Be sure to ask for extra napkins.