Jibek Jolu

In my Google, I usually save spots based on their cuisine. Given the sheer lack of Kyrgyzstani food in Chicago, this spot is stored under "Unique - unable to categorize" and I mention all this to describe what kind of spot this is.The decor is homey, cozy + service is impeccable. Maybe I showed up too late but I was one of the only people there. The chef actually stayed up past their time just to accommodate us. When I asked for a dish extra spicy, he delivered - he also proceeded to sign check if it hit the spot - it did. Overall great service, friendly attitude. Now for the foodDelicious. Homemade bread was outstanding. Garlic shrimp reminded me of a Spanish tapas style shrimp and it was delicious. Borscht which was a first time for me was OUTSTANDING. The flavors and the seasoning on this was impeccable. I forget what the noodle (Boso Lagman) I had was called but was a great taste- kinda reminded me of indo Chinese noodles with beef and schezwhan. Got a side of Plov rice which was incredibly flavorful- so herby. We tried the honey cake at the end which was a great close to dinner.Highly recommend this spot if you are looking for something unique or even just a solid home-y meal

**Five Star Review for Jibek Jolu**I recently had the pleasure of dining at Jibek Jolu in Uptown Chicago, and it was an unforgettable experience. From start to finish, everything was top-notch. We started our meal with the Tashkent Tea, which was wonderfully citrusy and refreshing. The Manty, delicate handmade dumplings stuffed with chopped beef and onions, were exquisite and perfectly paired with priprava. The Gyuro Lagman was a standout dish with stewed beef, napa, peppers, and long beans over thick, flavorful noodles. The Lula Plate was another highlight, featuring a skewer of marinated and chargrilled ground beef and lamb kebab served with red onions and red peppers. Every bite was a delight. Finally, we indulged in the Samsy, a Central Asian favorite meat pie. This savory, handmade baked pastry filled with chopped beef was the perfect way to end our meal.Not only was the food spectacular, but the service was also wonderful. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring we had a fantastic dining experience. I highly recommend Jibek Jolu for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Kyrgyz cuisine. Five stars all the way!

We live nearby an I am not sure why we have not been eating here more often. Recently went with a couple of suburban friends who were looking for something more exotic than the usual fare and this place certainly filled the bill. I describe it as Eastern Europe meets Asian cuisine. Oddly familiar with a twist. Nothing is too extreme so don't be nervous. I feel anyone can find something they like here. We ordered several dishes and shared family style.Storefront family friendly location north of Lincoln Square, tastefully decorated with some intriguing artifacts and tapestries that set the mood.Plenty of street parking. If you're coming by bus watch the Lincoln #11 schedule as it stops running in the evening, but it is just a one block walk from Western, so very accessible from the Brownline.

Food was delicious! Borscht was tasty and thick ish (IYKYK) shashlik - soft and very juicy meat with a very nice sauce supporting the dish, as a side you can choose from many, but we selected grilled veggies - and it was amazing! All the flavor was there. And you should definitely try Medovik for desert - soft and sweet cake to finish off the night!

First time trying jibek jolu and what a surprise! It's a little hidden gem located near Swedish Hospital. The ambiance of the place is very cozy and charming. You absolute need to make a reservation in advanced. We ordered the Vareniki, Boso lagman, and beshbarmak which were seasoned to perfection and full of flavor. Lots of seasonings we weren't used to but after getting used to new spices everything was delicious. Both main dishes complimented each other well as they were on two sides of the seasoning spectrum. For drinks we tried the cultured sour milk and kompot. I would buy the kompot by the gallon to take home if I could. While it all was wonderful the only downside was the service. Took a long while for any plates to be removed from the table and we didn't get a water refill. We finished our meal and were planning on ordering a slice of their honeycake. After waiting for a full ten minutes, we flagged down the server and asked for our check. All in all, we would still come back but the table service could do with some improvements.

This is my family's favorite restaurant and is the platonic ideal of a hidden gem. My favorite items are the tashkent tea, pelmeni soup, the side of bread, and the lagman (best noodles I'm aware of). The service is kind and helpful. Also, they have an excellent lunch special if you're looking to dine on the cheap.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to try this place (it's been on my "want to go" list for years). 10/10 phenomenal flavor. Had the Manty (dumplings) and the Lula Plate (kebab and grilled veggies). Highly recommend both. The Lula plate was my favorite - it had a delicious charred flavor to it. Already excited to come back and try some other things!

Authentic (or rather yummy IMO) Krygz food. We had the Chebureki, Samsy, Manty, lamb plov, lagman, boso lagman, compot (surprisingly refreshing), honey cake (was not coffee than honey!) and Tashkent chai. Full tummy and in food coma after!

The food was delicious. The service was good. We didn't know what to expect from Kyrgyz cuisine and were pleasantly surprised. The flavors are subtle but delicious. Don't pass up the Honey Cake!

High quality, quality, quality food. Great food and experience at Jibek Jolu! The tables and silverware were absolutely clean, no smudges on the glasses, plates or silverware. You can hear your food being made to order, and everything we ordered was delicious and made as if it were right from home. I don't have many positive experiences at restaurants, and I was stunned at the quality of the food. We had 2 kinds of soups, appetizers, entrees, dessert, and the price we paid was a great value. We definitely are coming back again!