Thompson Center’s Getting a Cheffy Bibimbap and Korean Poke Spot

Korean food lovers don’t have many options in Downtown Chicago, but a veteran Chicago chef will provide one as soon as this week when he opens a spot inside the Thompson Center’s food court. Andy Lim and his brother, Billy, are opening a quick-serve restaurant called City Rock.

Andy Lim managed Cold Storage in Fulton Market for Boka Restaurant Group and cooked at B. Hospitality Group’s Formento’s in the West Loop and The Bristol in Bucktown. “Korean food is just something my brother and I grew up with,” Lim said.

The Lims are native Chicagoans who both graduated from culinary school. However, it was their mother, who grew up in South Korea, who started their food education. Lim said most everything will be made on premises and they’ll feature bibimbap in an assembly line fashion. They’ll have pork and beef bulgogi, tofu, and marinated chicken. Lim also will serve Korean-style poke bowls, hand rolls, and made-to-order rice balls (onigiri). They’ll stuff the tennis ball-size lumps of rice with veggies and protein to give customers a customizable option. Expect quality fish in the hand rolls. Billy Lim has a background in sushi as he’s worked at restaurants including Ora in Andersonville and Kamehachi in Old Town.

Andy Lim wants to give customers the experience of eating comfort foods that he grew up trying. He’s also interested in opening multiple City Rocks. Stay tuned for more on the concept this week.

Andy Lim