What to know
Founded by second-generation Korean Americans, 82 Kimbap opened to bring an everyday Korean staple to Chicago’s busy Loop. The founders wanted to preserve family flavors while adapting to a fast-paced urban crowd, focusing on freshness and consistency. Setting up shop in Sterling Food Hall gave them a platform to introduce kimbap to a broader audience, turning a humble rice roll into a convenient, craveable meal. In doing so, they’re expanding Chicago’s Korean food scene beyond the usual favorites and making cultural foodways accessible to more diners.
