King Spa is a Korean Spa based in Niles, IL that has a wide variety of beauty, health, and wellness offerings. It’s a unique day spa experience that is open 24/7 for both travelers and locals. But once you check into the spa, you’re unable to leave until you check out. If you have dietary concerns or limitations, this could pose a problem during what’s supposed to be a relaxing day, especially since King Spa does not allow outside food or drink.
Please note that while King Spa has multiple locations, each location has different offerings, and this guide only applies to their Chicago location.
One of the perks of King Spa is their restaurant, which serves popular Korean dishes such as gimbap and bibimbop. They have a large menu, most items falling within the range of $14-24. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and closes between 10-11 every night. They do not serve breakfast to anyone staying overnight, but open at 10 am every day.
A Quick Look at King Spa’s Vegetarian Menu
A highlight of the King Spa menu is that they have a dedicated vegetarian menu. Some highlights include vegetable egg rolls, noodles, vegetable bibimbop, and a wide array of dishes that offer tofu in place of meat.
All naturally vegan dishes are labeled with a vegan marker on the menu. Many of the items on the vegetarian menu are vegan, but not all. Almost all of them are dairy free, however, some use fish sauce or contain eggs. That said, since everything is made in house, things can often be modified. For example, they have a tofu kimchi bowl that is completely vegan except for the addition of a hard boiled egg. It can be made without.
How to Handle Ordering Vegan Dishes
If you see something labeled as vegan that you would like to order, order it. Done.
If you decide to go the route of modifying an existing dish, the employees are very receptive to questions. They understand that this is the only food option, and field allergy concerns every day. You can ask for a list of all available ingredients. This is useful for identifying common allergens as well, if you or your party have other concerns such as eggs or gluten.
As said earlier, they handle dietary limitations every single day. Do not be afraid to ask, and they will be able to help you.
Dairy Free Menu Options at King Spa
When it comes to dairy free choices, a large portion of their menu is dairy free. Many of the dishes use oil instead of butter, so even non-vegan or vegetarian options often don’t contain dairy. You can order bibimbop or noodles without much concern for dairy, although you should always ask since dairy free options are not labeled on the menu like vegetarian and vegan options are.
The biggest red flag for a food containing dairy is always going to be if it contains a batter. Examples include breading, wrappings, or dough. While these don’t always use milk or butter, many do. If you are unsure of something, ask an employee.
Planning Your Visit to King Spa
King Spa is a 24/7 day spa based in Niles, IL. Since you spend your whole day there, considering what you’ll eat between saunas or massages is important. Thankfully, King Spa has a well-rounded menu with plenty of options ready to accommodate your dietary needs.
If you still have questions after this guide, contact King Spa ahead of your visit to chat with an employee about any barriers you may encounter during your visit.
