Hanbun Owners Pick West Town For New Korean Fine Dining Restaurant

Chef Dave Park and Jennifer Tran of Hanbun, the suburban Korean restaurant that helped make Park a 2017 Eater Young Gun, have finally revealed the location and name of their new restaurant. The couple’s been working toward making Jeong a reality since last year when they announced Hanbun would be closing. Jeong should open this year inside the former Green Zebra space in West Town, according to the Tribune.

Hanbun closed in February after three years inside a strip mall in suburban Westmont. Park is a Korean native with experience in fine dining — he had a one-day stage at Alinea after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America. They’ll serve both a tasting menu and a la carte items at Jeong.

Reservations for dinner service at Hanbun were totally booked months ahead of time. Even after Hanbun’s closure Park’s high popularity remained steady. A May ramyun pop-up at Kimski in Bridgeport drew long lines with items quickly selling out. It was only a matter of time before Park and Tran found restaurant space in Chicago.

Green Zebra closed on New Year’s Eve after 13 years of vegetarian dining at 1460 W. Chicago Avenue. Park and Tran weren’t immediately reached, but stay tuned for more details. With 3 ¹⁄₂ months left in 2018, Jeong is now one of the most anticipated restaurants of 2018.