Gangnam Market and Stringia Coffee & Tea Bar Review: Oreo Coffee, Neon Lights and a Food Hall with a Little Nostalgia
Visit Gangnam Market in Chicago’s River West for Asian groceries, food stalls, a bar, colorful neon and Stringria’s Oreo Sea Salt Cheese Foam Latte.
There are grocery stores where you grab what you need and head home. Then there’s Gangnam Market, where a quick stop can turn into a full-on wander through food, drinks, bright lights and a little nostalgia.
Located at 1001 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, Gangnam Market combines an Asian grocery market with a food court, bar and coffee counter. The market describes its mix as everyday essentials, Asian ingredients, ready-to-eat food and handcrafted drinks.
The first thing that grabs you is the atmosphere. Neon lights, colorful signs and playful décor give the space a lively, almost arcade like energy. There are plenty of food options to explore, plus a bar and Stringria Coffee & Tea Bar for a drink while you’re there. The mix of groceries, food stalls and places to sit makes it feel more like a destination than a standard supermarket.
And then there are the toy sections, with coin-operated machines where you turn the knob and wait for a little surprise to drop out. It’s the kind of simple childhood thrill that can still make you stop mid-errand and think, Okay, I have to try one.
The Oreo Sea Salt Cheese Foam Latte at Stringria
I stopped at Stringria Coffee & Tea Bar for the Iced Oreo Sea Salt Cheese Foam Latte. The drink pairs espresso and milk over ice with Oreo sea salt cheese foam on top. Stringria’s online menu lists the 24-ounce version at $6.95; prices and availability can change.
It’s an eye-catching drink, with the creamy Oreo topping layered over the coffee. The cookie-and-cream idea gives it a dessert-like feel, while the sea salt cheese foam adds a sweet-and-salty twist. If you’re in the mood for a standard plain latte, this is not that. It’s a more playful coffee stop one that fits right in with Gangnam Market’s bright, colorful vibe.
Stringria’s menu also includes matcha drinks, milk tea, fruit tea, tea slushes, smoothies and other specialty coffee options. The Oreo latte is a good pick if you want to try something a little different while exploring the market.
A fun Chicago food stop
Gangnam Market works well when your group can’t settle on one thing to eat or when you want to browse first and decide as you go. The food court brings several dining options together, and the market also has a full bar and coffee-and-tea counter.
For me, the appeal was the whole experience: the neon, the food choices, the toy machines and the Oreo coffee from Stringria. It’s an easy place to make a casual visit feel like an outing, whether you’re grabbing groceries, meeting someone for food or just curious to see what’s inside.
Gangnam Market
1001 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
F’nAround take: Come hungry, look around, and leave room for a drink. The Oreo Sea Salt Cheese Foam Latte is a fun choice, and the market itself is part of the attraction.
