Funky-chic Soju is a welcome destination for accessible Korean food, which isn't easy to find in Chicago outside of certain Korean neighborhoods on the north side of the city. The menu is slightly Americanized with a few Sushi 101 items, and the traditional barbecued beef and pork aren't served with lettuce wrappers, but otherwise Soju delivers tasty Korean fare in a casual, urban setting a step above neighborhood ethnic dining (priced accordingly).

Soju's menu is broken down into American-style courses. The kimchi-rice flour pancakes have a creamy, doughy texture spiked with the crunch of fermented vegetables and served with a soy-and-sesame dipping sauce. The pumpkin soup is an oddity, but the brothy suun-dubu (spicy soft tofu casserole) is an earthy delight, contrasting the crunch of cabbage with the softness of tofu, and finishing with a hint of fire. The signature house chicken entree is sauced with soju (a vodkalike Korean liquor). The classic bibimbop (mixture of rice and vegetables) can be ordered with beef, chicken, or tofu. The latter is a good vegetarian option, as is "Boys' noodles," a tasty texture and flavor medley that tosses cold rice noodles with shredded cabbage, scallions, and spicy bean sauce.