Jin Ju
5203 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60640
Jin Ju Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups & Salad
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Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for Jin Ju
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Appetizers
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Soups & Salad
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Entrees
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Address :
5203 N Clark St
Chicago, IL, 60640 - Phone (773) 334-6377
- Website https://jinjurestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Donna L.
Nice atmosphere. Appetizers are cool and delicious. Entrees are so-so.
(3)Sara H.
Really my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Here's why: 1. Excellent, friendly, speedy service. We never wait long for our appetizers, and the main dishes arrive on time and still fresh and hot. Even when they are busy. 2. The AMAZING flavor of everything on the menu. We have tried too many dishes to name (most of which can be made vegetarian, which we really appreciate), and every one of them, no exception, has been out of this world. Just bursting with flavor but subtle enough not to overpower the palate. Not easy when you're dealing with kimchi and peppers, but these chefs know how to make Korean food right. Super impressive dishes, every one. Although our favorites are the Kimchi Pancake and the vegetarian Jab chae--you just can't go wrong if you order those. 3. The atmosphere. It's a calming, dark, intimate setting for a date or a party. Not too loud, but not unnervingly quiet. My new hubby and I just had a private party here, and the service and execution of the entire 3 hours was far more than we expected. Everyone in our party proclaimed the food "amazing" and that they would be back. I love being able to introduce Jin Ju to people because (1) I know they will come back, and (2) this restaurant deserves to live long and prosper as one of the best in Chicago. Come in with high expectations and leave with all of those expectations satisfied. Enough said.
(5)Lynn Y.
Even though it was super busy and very loud, the food was fantastic and the service was very nice and friendly! I would come back and try the other dishes.I really like a restaurant that gives good portions and this restaurant definitely did that! I liked the variety of the menu too! Ordered the "sushi" rolls and the miso soup! It was perfect. And my dining mates had the spicy chicken which was perfectly spiced and we'll presented. Can't wait to come back and get more food!
(5)Melissa B.
Hands down top 3 meals of my life! I can't wait to go back here again and again! Make reservations! I have heard it's always packed. We had the chicken wings (life changing), 2 orders of dumplings (steamed and pan fried?), spicy tofu stew (so amazing), some chicken and beef dishes both served with rice. I can't quite remember what they were called. I wanted to eat like an animal and lick the plates! The service is amazing! The owners are adorable! I would eat here every single night if it weren't such a drive for me. The service at the small bar was wonderful too. Everyone was so happy and inviting. Speaking of bar. Make sure to try the vodka made from sweet potatoes. Just be careful on the amazing martinis. They sneak up on you.
(5)James R.
The food at Jin Ju is very good. Sushi in the Midwest has come a long way over the past decade and I feel there is always an interest to keep making it better. Now drill down to Chicago and you will see pockets where sushi places are strong, but most people do not think Andersonville (or for that matter places north of Fullerton) have something of high quality. Jin Ju proves that this is not the case. One can clearly see that they are concerned about quality and have a simple but focused menu. It would probably get 5 stars from me if the restaurant itself was bigger and brighter, it has sort of a dark feel to it. Nonetheless, it is worth the visit.
(4)AV G.
Nicely done. Dumbed down K-town standards for others.. Very nice place--excellent service. I prefer the typical Korean storefront, with the tons of free side dishes and no explanation for clueless white people. I did not care for the fact that the waiter insisted on mixing up my Bim Bop stating that this is how is mother does it--I prefer to eat it separately. Very good value--had a drink each, shared an app, $25 plus tip. If you are around here and want pan asian--this is a good choice
(4)Veronica M.
Our first experience with Korean food and it was great! The restaurant was dimly lit, had a romantic setting. We had the Mandoo (steamed dumplings) for appetizer and as for the entrée we had the Bulgogi and Kalbi. The dishes came with steamed white rice. In addition to a small portion of Kimchee, Korean seasoned pickles, potato salad and broccoli which is meant to be shared. Plus its BYOB (they charge a $10 corkage fee) but still worth it. Great food!!
(4)Ali D.
Highly reco this delish Korean joint in Andersonville. Attentive service, delish / authentic food and fitting decor. A touch on the expensive side but we will be going back soon.
(4)Grace H.
I expected Jin Ju to be a traditional Korean restaurant filled with middle aged Korean people and where a distressed Korean waitress seats you and places a hundred side dishes in front of you. However, I walked into a very dimly lit place, illuminated by a few candles. The first vibe you get is that it is a hip bar, but if you are here for the food, a host will seat you in another area. People in the restaurant were mostly young professional hipsters, mostly in groups of 2-5. The slim, 2-sided menu offered various options. They offered many appetizers including mandoo (dumplings), pajun (thin scallion pancakes), and tegim. We tried the hemul pajun, which was very fresh, simple, and delicious. They offered two soups: mandoo soup and miyuk soup. My friend, who never tried miyuk soup before, loved the miyuk soup. I ordered the yookgejang, and as it was spicy, I recommend it to people who can tolerate spice. It was very rich and savory, and it really cleared up my head. I was in love. My friend ordered the sanchae bibimbap, and she was in love with the blend of flavors and freshness. The side dishes were adorable- not really sure about why they chose The waiters were friendly, and the place wasn't too loud or too quiet so we could chitter away. The music was calming, yet energetic and I really liked the mood lighting. Dining there was a wonderful way to destress on a Friday night. I would love to try the drinks next time!!! Tips: -It's not a large space, and it's certainly not a place to go with a mass of people. -Not Korean BBQ -the only Vegetarian dish would be the bibimbap. It is not the most vegetarian-friendly restaurant.
(4)Kelly S.
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(5)Monica G.
Great Korean food! Awesome flavor that is really deep and rich with our tasting like Panda Express. The service was OK, we had a long wait (45mins but it was a Saturday night) and the place was packed from 5:30-8:30. Our server was a little overwhelmed but very helpful. I will definitely be coming back. P.s, The prices are great!
(4)Eric H.
Food was delicious and totally new to me and my girlfriend. Unlike anything we've had before (and we make a point of eating a wide array of cuisine), but I know we'll be coming back for more! Service was great. Our waiter was really nice, gave us lots of attention and answered every question we had about the menu. Great dining experience.
(5)Shanna K.
Amazing food along with 5 star service. My husband and I have been there twice now and continued to be impressed. The staff is friendly and knowledgable- they all seem to love to work there. The food is delicious and we haven't had one thing we didn't like! What we highly recommend: Dak Gan Jang, Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap, Kalbi, Bulgogi, and their appetizer of pork belly and Brussels sprouts!
(5)Gary B.
Jin Ju has been an Andersonville staple for many years. They were certainly a destination early on and have created a following that continues to be strong. My favorite dish here is the Bi Bim Bop, I know if may not be the most authentic but it sure does taste good. They do have a full bar as well but be careful around those Sojutinis. They are tasty and have this incredible ability to sneak up on you. I have found this place to be ideal for a nice dinner for two and I have also been here with a group.
(4)Erica L.
This is not your typical Mom and Pop Korean restaurant - gone are the picture menus and TVs playing Korean soaps or pop music videos. The interior has a cool vibe - we sat at the front corner booth. The weather was so nice they opened up the large front windows. We started with the super tasty Dak Gan Jang (fried chicken wings). It had just the right amount of spice for me. How do they keep the skin so crispy despite the sauce? I also wanted to try the Pajun (scallion pancake), but our server dissuaded us because of the amount of food we wanted to order for 2 people. The house salad was perfect for the summer weather. I liked the tempura battered mushrooms. For the main course, Hubby had the Kim Chee Chigae (spicy kim chee soup), and I had the Bulgogi. I was kinda confused because the meat sat on a bed of chopped lettuce. Usually the lettuce leaves are big enough to wrap several pieces of meat. The meat was just okay. We were also disappointed at the Pan Chan. There were only 4 small items, one of which was a room temp egg salad. We are used to seeing a minimum of 6 different things. I wish I ordered the Pajun instead! My go to Korean dish, Galbi Tang, was also noticeably missing from the menu. Service was great! The drinks were also good - soju cocktails anyone?
(3)Jon K.
My first visit to a Korean restaurant. Really enjoyed the food and atmosphere at Jin Ju. Split the chicken wings, scallion pancake and fried fish. All were really tasty and filling. Although I don't live in Chicago, I would definitely recommend Jin Ju for locals and visitors.
(4)Jordyn F.
One of my favorite meals out. The spicy sojutinis are killer and the food is amazing. I looooooove the bi bum bap in the stone dish. When you mix it all together the rice on the side is carmelized and crunchy. They also take reservations which is really nice for a weekend night.
(5)NaKisha L.
This place is so good it brings tears to my eyes!!! I wake up wanting to go here every day. I went with 5 other friends and they were very accommodating and fast, with amazing customer service. We ordered the Kim Chee Mondoo, they were hot, delicious and the best fried dumpling I have ever had. I ordered the Dak Bulgogi and the chicken was tender and seasoned just right. I tasted a little bit of everyone else's and it was all good! This place is a must try!
(5)Maya D.
Delicious chap che and spinach soup! Also loved the steamed kimchi dumplings. My partner and I came here aroubd 9pm so didn't need a reservation. Only taking one star off because one of us wanted the 3-course dinner for $27 and the server told us that everyone at the table had to be getting it or no one could get it...
(4)Hitomi A.
Excellent Authentic Korean Food with Great Service! The place seems trendy, and Americanized (easier to go in for white people) but the food is still authentic and super delicious. I recommend Bibimbap (For the crunchy rice goodness, do order it in the sizzling stone bowl!) & Scallion Pancakes!
(5)Rosa S.
The resturant had really cool ambience. I liked it the Food was good. Service was good to except I did feel a little annoyed when the waitress was being ignorant. This is not my first time eating Korean food. I've been to New York and Cali and had Korean food from their they have better service. Recent I felt annoyed by the waitress is because I ordered a dolsot Bibimbap. Once the food came out she told me if I had it before I said yes she still didnt let me mix my bowl instead she did it for me she also ask me if I like spicy uhhh yeah why would I order it then. I felt like I was being profile because I was not Asian im latina and my bf is asian he was there with me. Its not my first time eating asian food or mixing my own bowl done it so many times. I am always careful even when the bowl is hot. I love spicy food hence im half mexican we eat really spicy food. But I liked the place but didnt like the staff. I would not want to go back because of this.
(3)Rahul I.
The Korean food here is perfect. I took my mother here, who is very squeamish about Korean food, remembering only tasting garlic and chillies, and this place convinced her to think otherwise about Korean food (a total 180 degrees). For me, the food, though Westernized a bit, is very similar to what I have eaten in Seoul. I enjoyed the Kimchee Chigae, but then I am a kimchee fan. My wife and I make our own kimchee.
(5)Elina S.
I had Jin Ju on my bookmarks for quite some time now and so happy that we finally ventured out to the city to have some great, contemporary Korean cuisine. I have to say it isn't the best that I've had but I absolutely loved the trendy atmosphere with the brick walls and the dim lighting and the open window to the restaurant. Oh and the service was phenomenal, loved our server, he really was on top of everything and made sure everything was brought out fast and timely as well as gave us some wonderful recommendations. Also, they do take reservations as it can get pretty busy on a late Saturday night so don't forget to do that in advance. Here are the goodies we tried and enjoyed at Jin Ju: -Mandoo- Dumplings filled with beef, onions, scallions, bean sprouts and tofu served fried or steamed but we had to go with fried obviously and they were super yummy and flavorful -Kim Bap- Seaweed roll filled with rice, bulgogi, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, yellow pickled radish, crab stick and egg. This was just a okay, I know a lot of reviewers rave about this but I supposed the only thing I prefer in my seaweed rolls is raw fish. -Yook Gae Jang- A soup filled with spicy beef broth with beef, bean sprouts, scallions and clear vermicelli noodles. Now this was delicious, super spicy so be prepared but full of flavor and texture. Definitely enjoyed it and would recommend it. -Bulgogi- Thinly sliced ribeye beef marinated in a mild soy sauce and sauteed with onions, shitake mushrooms, carrots and scallions. Also served with sticky white rice. This was tasty, but I felt like the portion wasn't as big as I would have liked it to be since it had the veggies. It was yummy, but would have preferred a little more. So overall, Jin Ju didn't wow us off our feet but it was definitely tasty and if you're in the mood for contemporary Korean in the area, than come here for a fun night out with tasty food.
(4)Lisa H.
Jin Ju is the most modern and romantic Korean place I have been to. The place is dimly lit where the only lighting is from the candles on the tables and street lamps streaming in through the big open window. The exposed bricks and the huge display of liquor at the bar give off a trendy ambience. Our waiter here was great, very attentive and knowledgeable. When the food came out, he asked each of us if we were familiar with these dishes and how they are traditionally eaten. I thought that was nice of him. Although I loved the atmosphere and service, the food was nothing spectacular. It wasn't bad though, but just didn't measure up to the vibe they were trying to present. We started off with the kim bap. If you aren't familiar with kim bap, it is like sushi but without the fish. It was good, but kind of expensive for a roll of vegetables, rice, and seaweed. For the entree, I ordered the domi (lightly battered tilapia filet served with eggplant, mushrooms, and carrots.) I thought this dish was phenomenal. I loved how the different flavors from the ginger, hot mustard, and soy sauce came together to give it a nice sauce that wasn't too overwhelming. But the awe stopped there for our entrees, the rest of the dishes (dol sut bi bim bap, yook gae jang, and bulgogi) ordered was just ok. I had similar dishes elsewhere that taste a lot better at a more affordable price. Overall, we did enjoy ourselves and the food. We just had better Korean food elsewhere. Also the banchan (side dishes) didn't have much of a variety like I'm used to. But if you were looking for a more contemporary spin on Korean food definitely check this place out. It is a good place to kick back and relax over drinks and food.
(3)Julie Y.
Jinju has always been one of our favorite places to go. The ambiance is perfect for a night out - but we went for a family dinner all the same. The waiters have always been phenomenal! They were eager to make recommendations and to make conversation. They were also super accommodating and cleared the table and gave us fresh dessert plates when we pulled out a cake. The food itself is great! I've always been a fan of the cocktails. The chicken wings are a MUST have as they are lollipop-ed and some of the best I've had in the Chicago area.
(5)Shirley W.
I came here for the first time with a big group of friends for a birthday party. We had about 26 people. Besides what you see in the front there is a back room for big groups I think. We had the whole room to ourselves. They had a bar back there too although it was occupied at the time. But it's a good place for big groups! The hostess (waitress) was very friendly and helpful. I like their pancakes, bi bim bop and the tempuras. It's not very cheap compare to the places in Korea town of course. But it's reasonably price and everything is very fresh. I like the side dishes that comes with every single order (and it's unlimited). Usually comes with a few pieces of tofu, broccoli and eggplant. Even though it's not as much as the 10 side dishes a regular Korean restaurant would give but they home made everything and it's all freshly made (that's what the waitress told me at least). They also have good fruity martinis, definitely get one of those if you like martini type of drinks. It's street parking (easy to find), free street parking on Sundays.
(4)Kenneth C.
Came here on a Saturday night. Surprisingly, the place was not too busy. Came here with my fiance and his parents. We all got the bibimbap, cocktails, and an appetizer. Once seated, we waited about 10-15 minutes before our waiter even got to our tables and asked if we wanted drinks. After our orders were in, our drinks came within 10 minutes, but our appetizer didn't come for another 20 or so minutes after receiving our drinks. The bibimbap comes with banchan, which are the traditional small-plated sides that come with Korean meals. After our appetizer, our waiter never came to our table to check in (another 15 minutes after we had finished our appetizers) until he served us an individual serving each of kimchi, potato salad, and pickled cucumber slices. He told us it was "to share". However, the portion size was lacking for the banchan considering that four of us ordered entrees that came with it and we only had enough for one person; it was less than the one order of appetizers we had shared. After he served us the banchan, our waiter quickly left before we could even get a word in and order more drinks. I looked around and, again, the place was not that busy so we don't know why we scarcely saw our waiter if at all. We had to actually ask a different waiter if we could order more drinks. Again, it was another waiting game for our bibimbap. After we had finished the banchan, which didn't take long, we waited another 20 or so minutes until our bibimbaps came to our table. Overall, the food was decent, but the service was lacking. It took over an hour to get our entrees after ordering. Also, our waiter never checked in on us in between courses and we had to actually ask someone else in order to order more drinks. I might try this place again, but considering the countless authentic Korean restaurants located all over the city that offer better (and timely) service, similar if not better quality food, and better banchan, maybe not.
(2)Tom S.
Went to jin ju on a Sunday night. Able to be seated right away for a party of 5. The service was excellent. Very friendly staff! Offered any explanations for menu items. Nice assortment of specialty drinks. I had the ginger liqueur one. Dont recall everything we ordered but the Bi Bim Bop was very good. First time having that. Appetizers included a fried piece of fish and small dumpling type of thing.
(5)Mark D.
I had never been to a Korean restaurant before my visit to Jin Ju. My friend suggested it because he said it was his favorite Korean restaurant in all of Chicago. Now, I wholeheartedly agree with him....it IS fantastic. For starters we ordered the Mandoo (dumplings filled with beef, onions, scallions, bean sprouts and tofu). We ordered them steamed, not fried and they were wonderful. I enjoyed every bite. For dinner, I ordered the Bi Bim Bap. It came steaming in a hot stone pot and I luxuriated in every bite. It was so good! Why did it take me so long to go Korean? The spicy red pepper paste sauce made my eyes water and my nose run......it was fiery and delicious. My friend ordered the Bulgogi. He said it was delicious and it looked like something I would want to try. Our martini's were very good and I never had to ask for another......the service was swift and attentive. If you have never tried Korean food, or have but have never visited Jin Ju, I recommend that you go. Enjoy!
(4)John Blue H.
I have lived in Andersonville for the past two and a half years and can't believe it took me so long to discover this neighborhood gem! I can honestly say I've been here five times in the past five weeks. I've had basically every appetizer, the Kim Chee Pajun, the Daeji Kalbi; which is my partner's favorite, the Mandoo, and MY personal favorite; the Dak Gan Jang chicken wings! I don't know what spices they put in these, but they're just as addictive as crack. Not that I've tried crack, but I find myself craving these on the daily-so I can only imagine! As far as dinner goes, I've only had the Dak Bulgogi. It's. That. Good. It has this mildish firey flavored seasoning (how can that even exist) that is so damn delicious, my mouth is watering now just thinking about it. How could I forget the drinks!?!? I've never experienced soju vodka before, so imagine my surprise as to how smooth their sojutinis go down. So light and so smooth, hardly sugary or overly sweet. The Pear is my favorite, with the Jinger coming in second. It's easy to down 3 or 4... Okay, 4-and I'm hardly a lush. Aside from the food and drinks, what I really like about this place is the atmosphere and staff. It's totally casual, with a chic urban feel that's just as comfortable as it is stylish. The feel is easy, and the staff doesn't rush you to eat, drink and get the eff out. Randa has been our server, as well as our bartender on occasion, and is totally impeccable at what she does. Her and Armando give great service and I look forward to seeing them every time I go in! Do yourself a favor and go!
(5)Nadežda Š.
Went yesterday and loved it! Our server was nice and professional, our cocktails were not bad and the food was amazing. We had the pajun and the mandoo as appetizers and two versions of the Bi Bim Bap, the one with seafood was amazing! Definitely gonna come back again!
(5)Holly G.
I'm so happy I found this place! I often find the drinks are amazing, food is fresh (and spicy!!), and the service is great. Great trendy ambiance. Exactly what Andersonville needs more of!
(5)Kim K.
I'm looking forward to going back to Jin Ju, because it was so good! Definitely get the Daeji Kalbi (bbq spare ribs) to start! So crispy, crackly, and scrumptious- my favorite item we ordered. We started with that plus the three free side dishes they serve each table. One complaint may be that they only bring you three, and apparently there are usually more in other Korean restaurants. But really, we had so much food, that we didn't need any more. For my entree, I got the Chap Chae dish with beef and vermicelli noodles. Nice and thin stretchy noodles with a tasty sweet, soy sauce. My friend got the Dak Bulgogi. He's a regular here, and that is his go-to choice. They have a cute, small room in the back with a full bar if you're ever looking to throw a party, as well. Definitely give this place a go!
(4)Nancy F.
The food here is amazing and I never get tired of it. I wish they delivered but its probably a good thing or else I would eat it 2 a week. They have really good drinks too! I like the lychee martini. They also have a cute back room for parties. This place is causal but can be romantic at night when all the lights are low.
(5)Christina F.
This was our fiirst time having korean bbq and we loved it! its very romantic inside and rather empty 6:30pm on friday night. i bought a gdine dinner ( gdine.com ) that we thought was an incredible value-- an appetizer and entree for $16. it was fun trying to pronounce the names and our waiter was hilarious and extremely helpful. we ended up getting some dumplings (basically potstickers) and AMAZING bbq pork. A+ on those. For our entree, we split Bulgogi (awesome beef and veggies in a hearty sauce) and Dak Dori Tan (chicken and potatoes, not spicy at all like we were told). everything had good flavors and we ate every last bite, including the pan chan (potato salad, broccoli, tofu). we also got the hot tea and lava cake for dessert. perfection. At one point in the meal, i told my bf "I feel like my tastebuds are dancing around in my head". that's how good it was. can't wait to be back!
(5)Erin B.
I would recommend this place to anyone. Great for a date night or celebrating a birthday with friends. Food is amazing. Drinks are pricey, but delicious.
(5)James H.
Best. Korean. Ever. I've been a regular for years. My "go to": Kim Chee Mandoo (steam veggie dumplings), Dak Gan Jang (to call this a fried chicken wing is almost condescending), and Dak Bulgogi (chicken). Order any martini that appeals to you. All are brilliant. And the staff are wonderful. If you're thinking about it, stop. Just go. Now.
(5)Joonho Y.
I'm Korean and I can say that the food here tastes Completely Authentic, even though it is presented in a more "Western" manner (which I like/prefer). If anyone asks me for a Korean Restaurant, this is my "Go-To Place." Staff is Friendly and Knowledgeable about the Menu. Cocktails here are Awesome! Only Downside is Parking (Street Parking can be Difficult, and No Valet), but I still go as often as I can.
(5)Patty T.
A pretty romantic spot good for date night. The only thing is you might need night vision goggle coz the place is definitely very dark!! Food: had kimchi dumpling, tofu kimchi soup and seafood bi bim bap. Yum :) Great menu for pescatarian. All of them are really tasty! I am generally pleasantly surprised by the place! A really nice small restaurant with really tasty Korean foods. This is not a traditional Korean place where you will get like 15-20 complementary small dishes but I love the fact that the food was beautifully presented. It is definitely a different way to enjoy Korean food. Would really like to be back to try other dishes.
(5)Jeanette S.
Great food, great service (we also had a really cute waiter) and very good cocktails. The only thing I'd like to see different is more choices on the menu. Other than that, I highly recommend.
(5)David R.
We walked in at 7:15 on Friday night with no reservation. The hostess put us in the front table in the window. This will happen when you are the best-looking couple in the restaurant. They want us to help to advertise the place, so we become part of the decor. I dig. What followed was one of the best meals in recent memory. I have to assume that they would have given the same outstanding food and service to every table, and that they weren't just taking extra-special good care of their little erstwhile marketing props. In any case, I was in heaven. Our waiter Shane was outstanding. I greatly appreciate a server who genuinely seems to enjoy his job; in fact, it is almost priceless. We started with the kim chee mandoo dumplings, which were pretty good. The delirious portion of my meal was the entree, one of the evening's specials. This was basically a beef short rib marinated for two days in a frigate-load of wonderful ingredients, then braised with some carrots and a few other vegetables, plus vermicelli noodles made from sweet-potato flour. Shane summarized it as "Korean pot roast," and I didn't realize until it came to the table how literally apt that description was. The name that showed up on the bill was "kolbi chim" which I believe is Korean for "send you to the moon in a short-rib boat." Neither my Korean nor my English is proficient enough to describe how delicious that pot roast was. In a way, I'm glad that it was a special, which gives it more of a "lightning in a bottle" mystique. If it were on the menu, I would love to eat it more regularly, but that would detract from the magical memories. I left a generous tip and did something that I've never done at any restaurant, ever. I wrote on the receipt, "Thank you for a great dinner!"
(5)Lauren G.
Amazing food! I had the chicken wings and pork belly for appetizers. For entree I had the octopus and scallops bi bim bop bowl. The Kim chi in the bowl totally made it! Every time I come to Chicago I seek out new Korean food and this is the best I've had. My new favorite!! Great service and fun intimate atmosphere.
(4)Alicia K.
Perfectly prepared Korean fare with an uber romantic ambiance. Everything is really dark and only light by candles. Love it! The dolsot bibimbap was what I ordered and I ate the entire thing - even though the portion was probably meant for 2. I love the sizzling rice. When we came here, there was a steak tartare special. So delicious with thin slivers of korean pear. Kinda drooling just thinking about it right now. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Kenny O.
Totally not a fan. Besides the forgettable food and expensive prices, they somehow managed to take 30+ minutes to get us our check after we were done eating and telling them we wanted to pay and leave. Definitely not recommended.
(1)Elizabeth M.
I was amazed! A friend from Korea and I visited this place and was more than satisfied. We even had a chance to talk with the owners and the taste was sooooo authentic! Not barbecue style, but we had just as much fun. Even the traditional side dishes are to die for... I want to return soon!!
(5)Hooney K.
Great food, Great service, and great atmosphere. What else can I ask for from a restaurant? Best place to get some Korean food in Chicago , especially with your foreign companion. I highly recommend Jin Ju.
(5)Jen R.
Yes, I love this place. In short, this is upscale Korean bbq. And, not only is the food delish and they're pretty generous with the gdine availability (as in, you're not limited to reservations after 9:00PM on a weekday), but the service is awesome. Seriously, they are beyond on top of things, super friendly, and can explain every dish in easy to understand detail. They've impressed me so much, I don't even need gdine as an excuse to go back. Now on to the important stuff. For appetizers I've had the daeji kalbi (bbq pork spare ribs) and dak gan jang (fried chicken wings). Both were exactly as good as they sound, and such a generous size that I could fill up on the appetizer alone. For my entree, I always order the bulgogi (sliced ribeye beef) because when you find a keeper, you stay with it. And I like my meat. Still not convinced? Well, with gdine you get your choice of an appetizer and entree for $16, so you're pretty much getting the app for free. There's also an option for two sojutinis per person, and they're awesome enough here to let you split flights however you want amongst the table. So if you're on a hot date and think two drinks might lead to a morning walk of shame, get one flight and split it. See, I'm always lookin' out for ya.
(5)Jason S.
Wow! What a great find. My boyfriend and I try a new restaurant in Andersonville after our monthly massage, and we were absolutely delighted with our meal. We had tasty cocktails and appetizers and a fabulous meal. The service was impeccable. I can't wait to come back.
(5)Kylie S.
I was taken as a guest as someone who frequents Jim Ju regularly and he ordered food and drinks for the table and there's everything about the experience was excellent. Especially the cocktails. Oh, the cocktails. I started with a Sojutini which I'm told will not give one a hangover the next day ... unfortunately, I switched to some margarita martini awesomeoness/catastrophe that does, in fact, give quite powerful hangovers. But it was worth it. Not a great menu for vegetarians, but the chef whipped up some veggie dish that wasn't on the menu when I asked about it and I LOVED IT. I can't wait to bring back friends so I look like I know what's up.
(5)Lori L.
Me and two of my friends went there after work Friday. Really love the environment, cosy and comfy. Especially a thumb up for the waiters! They gave us a lot of good suggestions, and obviously they know their food very well. I will call the food a more modern version of Korean cuisine, since you can find several western cooking styles in the dish. But all the dishes were amazing! I didn't try their cocktails, but based on the amount the other diners ordered, I'm sure it's worth trying!
(5)Michael P.
I have been here 9-10 times and have zero complaints. I have always gotten great, friendly service, the food is always delicious, it's different from the usual without being gratuitously odd, and the soju menu is much appreciated by the female-types. Speak of which, this is a great date place. Except when one girl you dated awhile ago who is there with her friends to whom she's bad-mouthed you to no small extent sees you there with someone else. Then it's not so great. But I really can't blame Jin Ju for that.
(5)John K.
I think my other fellow elites have said what needs to be said about this place. I feel nothing but the urge to go back. At first, I was very surprised because the staff was not Korean at all. But when I heard our waiter mention the dishes on the menu, I just had laugh...his Korean was amazing! Now the food quality...I mean can you be more close to Korean than this? The bulgogi had that smokey flavor that really made me think of home (Seoul, Korea). They also had Yook Hwae!! Enough said. I would go again! I guess a word of caution is for those of you who are expecting a Korean establishment (and the associated prices/generous proportions)...This is not what you might be expecting. For more Koreanness and lower pricing, it might be a better idea to go to Lincoln Ave.
(4)R J.
Had a great dinner here for a friend's birthday. Always enjoy the food and service here on other visits. Creative cocktail menu is worth a look. Generous pours, and tasty. Was very quiet on a Sunday evening, which was nice. But also a bit concerning - as it's been dead here as of late, even on weekend nights. Mandoo (steamed) and Dolsot bibimbop were delicious- and reasonably priced. Definitely get the Dolsot! Creates yummy crisp flavors on the rice and veggies. Received comp sorbet for birthday- nice end of the meal.
(4)Nathan E.
I've been here three times, and I think it's some of the best Korean food I've ever had. It's certainly the best Korean restaurant I've ever been to in the United States. I always get the Bi Bim Bop with octopus and scallops (Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap). It's amazing. I keep wanting to try other things, but then when it's time to order ... I break down and get my favorite. I've tried the other versions of Bi Bim Bop and the short ribs on other friends' plate and they were good too, but I'm still not tired of my seafood version. As for appetizers, I LOVE the tempura-fried Kim Bap! Amazing! The normal Kim Bap (like sushi, but Korean) is also good, as are the dumplings and the pancakes. But the Kim Bap Te Gim is just plain decadent. The drinks are also great and compliment the menu well. The ambiance is elegant but cozy. The waiters are friendly, some of them cute. My friend who lives in the neighborhood calls Jin Ju a Korean-gay fusion restaurant. I'm not sure if she's referring to the food, the customers or the staff. In any case, I just love the place, and I eat here whenever I'm in Chicago. Maybe the one downside of Jin Ju is the lack of a desert menu. I suggest making up for that by going to Marty's Martini Bar just around the corner for a chocolate martini. Yum.
(5)Allison G.
I went to Jin Ju at 8pm on a Tuesday, so of course the restaurant was not very busy. The food was fantastic, the drinks delicious, and the service was prompt. I tried two different soju cocktails- both of which were very tasty and did not have a strong alcohol flavor.The first one I tried was the lychee cocktail, so naturally it was love at first drink. Second, I tried the Jinjer which was very refreshing and perfect for after my meal. I had the Kim Chee Mandoo appetizer- steamed dumplings filled with kim chee, tofu, and veggies. They were tasty! The kim chee flavor was present but did not overpower. I also had the Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap which has octopus and scallops in it. It comes in a sizzling stone rice bowl that cooks the raw egg and makes the rice nice and crispy on the side. Overall it was a delicious meal and I am VERY excited to eat my leftovers for dinner tonight :)
(4)Reid F.
It's a nice little Korean fusion restaurant. The environment is a little dark, not much light and a little noisy. Service was great and the food was very good. Their menu had a lot of stuff I've found in Korea, but also a few things I haven't. They do have awesome mixed drinks and they even have soju! Good place if you're craving Korean and in the area.
(3)Adam K.
Great,
(4)Katie V.
Had an excellent meal here on a jam-packed Saturday night. We only waited about 10 minutes for a table and our server was very attentive. There were a couple of hiccups (one entree didn't show up with the rest, but to make up for it, the server brought us shots of soju; the kitchen was out of a few things and not willing to make one of the apps we wanted because apparently they can't make it when the restaurant is really busy?) but the food was excellent. For apps, my party shared the pajun (pancake) with squid and mussels and Kim Bap Te Gim, which was basically a fried maki roll. Both were delicious and the wasabi that came with the latter was seriously spicy -- sinus-clearing spicy, but worth it. The pan chan was great -- esp the pickled broccoli. Our server brought us more when we ran out. For an entree, I got the Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap (totally had to look at a menu online to get name/spelling right). It was phenomenal. Rice topped with octopus and scallops, kim chee, veggies, fish foe and an egg on top. It was served in a stone bowl that continued to cook the ingredients while I was eating it. I couldn't get enough, it was so so good. Also came with a little soybean and scallion soup on the side. Perfect meal for a freezing Chicago night. The soju cocktails were delicious (I recommend the Asian pear one) and the whole meal came to $36/person before tip, which was not bad considering we each had two cocktails. I will definitely be back to try more things! I wish they had Hwe Du Bop...but no place is perfect.
(4)Valissa W.
As a farewell to a friend moving to the West Coast, a group of us headed to JinJu for some celebratory eats and one last hurrah. We'd made reservations for 7pm on a Thursday and arrived to find the restaurant completely empty, save the staff. Our table was right in the front -- probably for the sake of showing off the only clientèle of the eve. The decor was beautiful with exposed brick, intimate tables, and low lighting. We ordered Pajun (scallion pancake) to start, which was pretty good but hardly memorable. I had the Bi Bim Bap, which was good but not great. The brown rice I requested had evidently been forgotten, and the egg was a little overcooked. The kim chee was super spicy, just the way I like it! By the time we'd finished our meal, there were a few other diners who had straggled in. Unfortunately, JinJu failed to leave any real impression on me. Not bad, not great.
(3)Megan J.
I have lived in Andersonville for three years and am kicking myself for not trying this well reviewed spot sooner. Its a lovely little place with fantastic food. We made an early reservation for NYE and had a really great experience. Our server was very helpful Our food was delicious and the drinks sublime. We will be back -soon. Can't wait to try something new!
(5)Tak-seng L.
This place is definitely the Korean jewel of Andersonville (is there even another Korean place in Andersonville...?). I've been here a few times and each time I'm reminded of how lovely this place is. Inside, the decor leans darker but this helps to make it cozier and more romantic. Not to mention my personal preference is dimmer light so this works quite well. Anyway, the layout of the place may strike you as a bit funky for a minute. When you walk in you'll notice that the host station is right smack in the middle of the restaurant and just in front of the back section. The front half has a bar to the left, which probably seats around 5 (?) and tables along the front windows and wall. Combine this long open walkway in the middle of the restaurant with the high ceilings and yeah, you could say the flow of chi is a little off and kinda scattered. I was really torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars....it's really 4.5 at the moment but I'm gonna push it to 5. They deserve it and you'll see why below. So, we (my date and I) went on a Thursday night and it wasn't too busy. Service was great and the server was really cool when we asked him to surprise us with an appetizer that he thought we should try. It was my date's first time here so I wanted to trust them to select it. What he gave us was the Haemul Pajun (Lightly fried scallion pancake topped with squid and mussels and served with a soy sauce vinaigrette dipping sauce) and it was perfect for us. Despite it being fried it still felt light and was absolutely delicious. As we waited for our main dishes we enjoyed some of their martinis and I have to say...they make some of the best martinis I've ever had. They had various flavors and concoctions but what was so impressive about them was that they were refreshing rather than packed like crazy with sugar!! I seriously could have put away so many of them because they were so easy to drink....but I kept it to 2 and a half ;) For our entrees, I snagged the one with the longest name, Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap, and if you've ever had Bi Bim Bap then just toss on some seafood along with your fresh raw egg. Our server kindly stirred the dish for me to make sure the egg was cooked well in the piping hot bowl and the ingredients were evenly mixed. My date's dish (I believe) was the San Chae Bi Bim Bap and to her disappointment it didn't require the server's attention to mix it tableside. She jokingly made a jealous comment about this, not intending the server to take it seriously, and he ended up offering to mix it for her. She was pretty happy about that. :) All in all...my love of this place continues and my date's first impression was extremely high. Whether you've ever had Korean food or not....you definitely need to check this place out. And I believe that the martinis are $6 on Thursdays so hit it up!
(5)Melanie S.
I had date night* here on Saturday night. With all its dark wood and dim lighting, this place is quite befitting for a romantic evening. Next time I'll be sure and bring my boyfriend. Although the space was smaller than I imagined, I really liked it. It's a pretty sexy space. We were seated on the banquette, and although the tables are somewhat close together, it didn't feel cramped. I also liked that the decibels levels were reasonable - I hate having to shout above the din at my dinner companion. I wished I had been more adventurous and started with one of their soju cocktails, but we decided to drink wine instead. For starters we both ordered their house salad. This is easily in my top 5 salads of all time. Mixed greens, cucumbers, scallions and tempura-fried portobello mushrooms all lightly tossed in a sesame-soy vinaigrette. My lovely dining companion didn't eat all of her salad but I couldn't let it go to waste so I finished hers too. Clearly I have no shame. We each ordered bulgogi which comes with rice and assorted sides and kim chee. I think the sides change because the table next to us got different ones than we did. Ours were daikon, cucumbers and potato salad; all of which were fine but I didn't want to fill up on sides. The bulgogi was good, but it wasn't great. I prefer mine a little more grilled -- theirs seemed steamed or boiled so it had none of those crispy edges that I love about bulgogi. The flavor was good, if a little on the sweet side and there were a TON of onions. I'd have preferred more scallions and less onions. Desserts were a little disappointing as they offered no choices but green tea or red bean paste ice cream. And what's with no coffee? Since we heading out after dinner, we both wanted some caffeine and they don't offer it. I get that it's a Korean restaurant, but it's not exactly the height of authenticity, so why not offer some coffee for us Westerners? The service was fair. It started out kind of frenzied; our server greeted us with "What can I get you?" -- there were no introductions or pleasantries given. The food also took a long time to get to our table, but we weren't in any rush so it wasn't a big deal. I enjoyed Jin Ju and that house salad will be forever etched in my memory. 3.5 stars. *Keri H, it was a girl date
(4)Alma V.
Atmosphere: Too dark. Their fusion atmosphere is a bit odd and confusing as well for a Korean restaurant. I see what they are trying to accomplish, but they are SO not there. Service: Fantastic Food: Actually kind of gross. And I love Asian Food and have had Korean food many times in many different cities. Not impressed, disappointed actually. Price: Overpriced. Bummer....
(2)Annie D.
Dinner at Jin Ju was a nearly flawless outing, from candlelit, sophisticated atmosphere to some of the best service I've had at a restaurant lately... and of course, the food. The man and I made a reservation, but ended up coming a little early and getting seated right away at what I'm convinced is the best table in the house (the first half-booth up the stairs and to the right). Our server (I think her name was Randa?) was 100% wonderful---attentive, friendly and she appeared genuinely interested in our experience there. She happily explained a few entrees when I asked her some questions and even brought out some special dipping sauces to eat with our appetizers just because she likes them. She also gave us thorough descriptions of each dish when it arrived at the table, much more so than what was on the menu. Someone give that woman a raise. For starters, we ordered a tall Korean beer to share (Hite), the steamed kimchi mandoo (kimchi-scallion-tofu dumplings) and kim bap (sushi with bulgogi, veggies and crab). I loved both of these and would definitely order them again, though the kim bap would've been a bit dry without the extra sauce that the waitress brought. I was craving bi bim bap, so that's what I ordered even though I was so tempted by the dak dori tang (chicken and potatoes in a spicy-sweet red pepper broth) and the kimchi chigae (pork, tofu, kimchi broth). Of course, I had to have the hot stone pot version with sesame oil---the dol sut bi bim bap. The rice is crisping perfectly at the bottom of the pot and comes topped with beef, shitake mushrooms, some crunchy veggies, a fried egg and a sweet-spicy red pepper sauce. I also added kimchi to mine because that's the way I like it. Not only do you get this feast delivered sizzling to the table, but it also comes with a drinkable cup of miso soup and the small spread of banchan (little sides) that always comes with Korean meals. I couldn't even finish half my dinner because it was so big, but somehow my boyfriend managed to finish his enormous seafood bi bim bap AND save room for dessert, so we ordered a scoop of mango ice cream. I don't know if they make it in-house, but the little spoonful I had was tasty nonetheless! To sum this up, I could not have been more happy with Jin Ju and I can't wait to come back and try more things... MANY more things... like the soju cocktails and the spicy soups and the kalbi and the pajun...
(5)Rafael C.
I've been enjoy my visits to Jin Ju ever since I decided to use the gDine deals they regularly have in place. The service is always pleasant and prompt whilst the food is above average. I seem to always get the Dak Gan Jang appetizer. The Korean style wings are simply awesome and one of my favorites for sure. The sweet spicy sauce with the wings being batter-dipped makes it a hit. As for entrees, I've enjoyed their Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap as well as their Dak Bulgogi. Both have been plentiful and tasty. Just add one of their sojutini's and you'll have a good night of drink and eats to make you happy.
(4)Alex B.
We've been coming to Jin Ju for years now and it is one of our standbys. Great casual evening out, especially if you walk up the street two blocks to the ice cream place for dessert. For some reason we almost always order the same menu - probably because it is so yummy. Dulcit Bee Bim Bap is super-yummy w/the hot stone bowl, egg which you mix in, and completely delicious red pepper sauce (ask for extra!). This may be the perfect dish for February in Chicago. The Kim Chee soup is super good. Hot, spicy, filled with all sorts of goodies. It's sort of like sweet and sour cabbage soup from the old country (well, my old country which is Eastern Europe) meets Asia. Again, oh so good in the winter. Finally, don't miss Daeji Kalbi, sweet little boneless ribs. Great appetizer to share. Usually though if we get these I avoid ordering Bulgogi for my main, as they are kind of similar from a flavor perspective (but, the Bulgogi is yummy, so if the mood suits you go for it). Cocktails tend to be a little sweet for my taste but they have a good selection of Korean beers. I definitely recommend you give it a try, we always enjoy ourselves here.
(3)Kate A.
I had a great time at Jin Ju. They have a few delicious gluten free options (that can be made vegetarian). I ate Kim Chee soup - and I love Kim Chee - and it was great! The server was friendly and made lots of recommendations and just made us feel so welcome there!! A great place for food, drinks (cocktails are $9ish), friendly banter and great service. I can't wait to go back and try more things!!
(5)Beth R.
Dear Anthony Bourdain, I've never been to Korea but I have watched you eat there. However, my experiences with Korean food might actually be better than yours. You, being a chef and fearless eater, might disagree with this but I'm not gonna fight you, Tony. Meet me at Jin Ju and we'll discuss. XOXO, Beth D. Here's what Tony can expect on our Jin Ju date: Great service: The vibe throughout is mellow but the attention to detail and diner satisfaction is definitely there. I always luck out and have the warmest, cutest server who not only shares insights about the food but will also touch you on the shoulder. Is the touching necessary? Maybe not. Is it blush-inducing? Yes, it is. But more importantly, he gauged my friend's level of adventure when she was considering the squid, he added a personal tidbit about the kim chee mandoo and he also had the foresight to confirm that the person ordering a vegetarian dish was okay with egg. Great food: I truly enjoy every bite of the san chae bi bim bop, even if it takes me an hour to get through it with chopsticks. The soybean paste soup is delish and I will probably drag myself here for it the next time I'm under the weather. Because even when nothing sounds good, that will. The appetizer portions are generous, so the prices are not as high as they might appear on first glance. I also give props to the dak gan jang, and that's coming from a girl who doesn't usually like chicken wings. Tony, you are going to enjoy yourself. Call me!
(4)Christine F.
I don't know why it took us so long to come here. I blame the fact that A Ville is jam packed with delicious foods and I am a creature of habit. Anywho. My parents were in town and I wanted to take them to get some delicious noms. Jin Ju appealed to me because: We haven't tried it (and have wanted to) It's close to our house I wanted spicy comfort food to cure my cold and I thought my parents would enjoy it Bing bang boom. I made a res and we showed up on time on Friday. We were seated immediately and started perusing the menu. First impressions? It's REALLY dark in Jin Ju. My vision is pretty good and I was holding the menu about 2 inches from my face. Some party members started off with drinks (I passed...I had taken enough cold medicine to kill a horse in the past 24 hours and alcohol wasn't needed in that mix) and we ordered several apps - the Kim Chee Pajun and the Kim Chee Mandoo. Basically, a scallion pancake filled with kim chee and steamed dumplings filled with kim chee. Both came out piping hot and tasty - though I will say, they were both VERY salty. I LOVE salt, but this was pushing it - even for me. The pancake was pretty thick and dense, as well...which isn't a bad thing, but it was a lot more filling than I thought it would be. For my main I ordered the Kim Chee Chigae, which is a kim chee soup with pork, tofu, green chili peppers and scallions. Oh so good! It was SUPER spicy (the type of spice was reminiscent of the chili sauce they give you at Ethiopian restaurants) and there were huge chunks of pork and tofu with onions. It was PERFECT for sick ol' me. This is the perfect soup for colds, for real. We'll be back.
(4)Dominic F.
One of the best meals I've had. We started with the raw beef and quail egg appetizer special and two soju-tinis. The appetizer was great. Raw slices of beef marinated in a spiced sesame oil with a raw quail egg mixed in right at the table. As for the drinks, I would reccomend the lychee cocktail (I order a cocktail maybe twice a year though). The dol sut bi bim bap and the chu gu mi dol sut bi bim bap were phenomenal. Ultra savory, thick, piping hot on a cold fall day comfort food with the perfect amount of heat.
(5)Jeffrey K.
The addition of Dick behind the bar was a splendid choice. Dick is one of the better barbacks in the whole of the Andersonville area and I strongly suggest you sit at the bar and chat and try one of his many unique and lovely inspirations. Dick bristles at the term mixologist and I agree that the phrase is too clinical sounding so I dub him master of libations.
(4)Dave O.
Wandered in on a Friday night with no reservation and had no problems getting seated. Need to come here more often, the food is phenomenal. We started with the kim chee stuffed dumplings, steamed, which had a ton of flavor. For an entree I had Bi Bim Bap which was a heaping bowl of...good stuff. It had bean sprouts, beef, mushrooms, rice, all mixed up and it really worked well together. Wife had the Bulgogi which I tasted and was also very good. Just like my entree, the mix of flavors was perfect. Definitely a place to try!
(5)Sue S.
Very trendy, upscale Korean restaurant. Our server was super nice and clearly very excited about the food - unfortunately it didn't live up to his descriptions. We stopped in for a quick drink and appetizers pretty late on a Saturday night, so it was relatively empty. The Asian Pear "soju-tini" was almost flavorless. The Dak Gan Jang (chicken wings) did have great texture and crunch; they're coated with a sticky sweet honey and rice vinegar sauce which desperately needed some spiciness to it. They came out lukewarm, even though we were the only people ordering food at the time. The kimbap also fell very flat - the vegetables needed more acid and more crunch to help them stand out from the rice, and the beef was similarly unmemorable. Overall, the food was missing a lot of the punch that I expect with good Korean food, and really wasn't worth the price.
(2)RJ W.
6 years! It took me almost 6 years to go back... what an idiot I am! The place was great! Dick, the bartender, rocked out some phenomenal cocktails. Our waiter was kind and attentive and the food was outstanding. I do not understand why it was not packed on a Thursday unless it is just the average Chicagoan being unfamiliar, as was I, with Korean food. Everything is super easy to understand and was really good. Highly recommend
(5)Crystal O.
The restaurant lightings were a little too dimmed for my likings but the ambiance were nice and soothing, most suitable for couples or smaller groups. It was my first time dining at Jin Ju and I decided to try the San Chae Bi Bim Bap for $12.50. The taste was not bad, just a little too many different types of vegetables in it. If vegetables are not your favorite, then I would suggest ordering another entree. Some good things to point out are the friendly greetings & good services from the managers and servers. I will definitely return to this restaurant to try their other mixed dishes:)
(3)Renee H.
We had a drink at the Hopleaf before heading to Jin Jun and I kinda wish we just stayed there for dinner also. The waiter sold us with a ridiculous amount of talk on the steak tartare appetizer. It was good but not enough to continue taking his recommendations. I got the dolsot bi bim bop which was just so-so. The rice never got crusty. The portion was plenty big though. My friend got the chap chae and she loved it. Overall, the food is good. But Im surprised the reviews as high as they are. There are enough other tastier/better priced spots in the area for me not to return.
(3)Mike H.
As residents of Andersonville and Korean food lovers, my girlfiend and I have always complained about having to journey to the west side to get our fix. Thanks to all the great reviews on here, we decided to give it a try. As many other reviews suggested, we used the great pre-set meal offered through gdine ( gdine.com ). It's really a good deal and we might not have tried this place otherwise. For a Thursday night at 8 PM, it wasn't too busy but the atmosphere, service, and food were absolutely excellent. We will be back soon!
(5)Kevin L.
Really good food and drinks Really good food and drinks
(5)Jocelyn S.
love their spicy chicken appetizer. the ambience is great.
(3)Cameron H.
We decided to go here for Dining Out for Life to help support finding a cure for AIDS. So, to do something different, we went Korean. This place is very nice. Everyone from the hostess, busboy, and waiter were all great. We started off with for an appetizer: 1. Te Gim - shrimp, squid and vegetables dipped in a tempura batter and lightly fried 2. Ya Chae Te Gim - vegetables dipped in a tempura batter and lightly fried Then as a main course, we ordered: 3. Dak Dori Tang - chicken braised in a spicy-sweet red pepper broth with potatoes, onions and scallions 4. O Jinga Bokum - squid sauteed with green chili peppers, onions, scallions and carrots in a spicy-sweet red pepper sauce. Everything was delicious!!
(4)Carri C.
I enjoyed this restaurant overall. The waiter was outstanding-funny, knowledgeable, and welcoming. The host was a bit off-putting because we did not have a reservation and it took him a long time to decide if he had room to seat us. After we sat down and ordered, we had to move tables so that a larger group could have our table. My dining companion and I enjoyed our food and we were given a free appetizer for having to move tables and I appreciated this gesture. The cocktails were excellent. Andersonville is a great neighborhood and I like having this restaurant as an option. I plan to return for sure and next time I'll make a reservation to avoid problems with the host.
(4)Chad F.
Place rocks. Food is insane and best lollipop wings in the US.
(5)Rick M.
We were so surprised at how good the food was; the flavors were sensational. We had two different appetizers and two different entrees and everything was absolutely delicious. Great value also; the food was a lot better than your regular Asian joint but the prices are not that much higher. I think they were understaffed so the service was a bit slow and that's why they lost a star. Highly recommended
(4)Matthew S.
GDine is quickly becoming my best friend. Just don't tell my best friends that they will get jealous. For $20, including tax and tip we all got an app and an entree. This is by far the most modern Korean restaurant I have been to. Maybe not as authentic as others but really awesome nonetheless. Here is what we all had: Jon (Mary's Husband)- Haemul Pajun (Pajun Topped With Squid And Mussels) SO TASTY! Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap (Rice Topped With Sauteed Baby Octopus, Scallops, Pan-fried Kim Chee, Carrots, Onions, Scallions, Bean Sprouts, Zucchini, Green Leaf Lettuce, Sesame Leaves, Flying Fish Roe And Topped With A Raw Egg Cooked Table Side In A Sizzling Stone Pot) Mary (Jon's Wife)-Daeji Kalbi (Barbeque Pork Spare Ribs Marinated In A Spicy-sweet Red Pepper Sauce, Served With Sweet Pickled Onion) THE BEST THING WE ATE! Bi Bim Bap-This is not a Hanson Song- (Rice Topped With Beef, Beans Sprouts, Spinach, Carrots, Shitake Mushrooms, Shredded Radish, Green Leaf Lettuce, Fried Egg And A Spicy Red Pepper Paste Sauce, Soybean Paste Soup Served On The Side) Matt (Jon and Mary's Friend)-Kim Chee Mandoo (Dumplings Filled With Kim Chee, Onions, Scallions, Bean Sprouts And Tofu, Served Fried Or Steamed) THESE LOOKED LIKE LITTLE GUILLIAN HAT'S AND IF YOU LIKE KIM CHI YOU MUST GET THEE! Dak Bulgogi (Boneless Chicken Breast Marinated And Sauteed In A Spicy Red Pepper Sauce With Onions, Green Chili Peppers And Scallions, Served With Pan-fried Potatoes) COULD HAVE BEEN SPICIER! So that is what we ate and I hope you get the chance to hit up Jin Ju even if you are JIN CHRISTIAN! Much Love!
(4)April K.
It's difficult to say which thing draws me to Jin Ju more: the drinks or the food; both are worthy. Jin Ju specializes in tasty soju-based cocktails; if Jin Ju is hopping & no tables are available, sit at the bar - Dick the bartender will whip you up a tasty concoction & steer you toward the best menu items. The beef carpaccio w/ pear and sesame oil is one of the most to-die-for things I've ever eaten, and the bi bim bops are all outstanding [and for cryin' out loud ask for the raw egg, none of that cooked stuff!]
(4)C C.
The food is amazing. We definitely always order ourselves the pajun for an appetizer with cocktail drinks. The Bi Bim Bap and Chap Chae are our favorites. The service is friendly and great. The ambience is also nice for more intimate occasions but you can always go with a group of friends or family.
(5)Agnes P.
The ambiance here is romantic, sexy and perfect. The staff are all super friendly about the menu and anything else you want to ask. Very cozy and the food here is delicious! Had an awesome anniversary dinner here.
(4)Colleen C.
The "orange crush" soju cocktail with itty bitty floaty sects of mandarin, simply put: Outstanding. Soju, who knew? I did not. And now, I'm a fan. I did not care for the ginger flavored one, it was a bit too "gingery." However if you stick with the orange crush, your meal will be viewed in a pleasant haze of soju induced euphoria...mmmm. The rest of the meal was equally as pleasant. It's a tad dark in Jin Ju (menu my candlelight sort of thing), but intimate and stylish. Great for a date, especially if you like darker spaces, or you're hiding how you look in natural light ;) I'll do my best with the recollection of dish names... Appetizers: Kim Bap (like sushi!) VERY good. Little chunks of pineapple served as a sweet little garnish. Salad: Crab and Cuke salad, sweet and tangy. Quite large. Seaweed Soup: Like miso, without tofu. Scallions add the extra ZING. They also come on the side, in case perhaps you are taking that person that you do not want to see you in natural light...to ummm, another room without natural light, perhaps? :) I joke, I joke. I was here with 3 girls...so its not like this was a concern, I dropped in all those scallions, yo! Bulgogi: My standby Korean dish. Thinly sliced, marinated beef in sweet/mild sauce. Cooked and presented perfectly, in a lovely portion. Not too stuffed... A great meal, very attentive service, a FANTASTIC cocktail, stylin' in Aville.
(4)Charal K.
I had dinner at the restaurant on the Friday before New Year. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the vegetarian Bi Bim Bop and my friend had the Bulgogi. Really flavorful. The Bi Bim Bop had so many vegetables and they were so good. The hot sauce was also very good although I am more used to having the korean chili paste. I liked the sides but would like more authentic Korean dishes. We had the fish appetizer with a hot yellow sauce and wasabi, really fun. Fish a little bland but the sauces fixed that. Also had the steamed kim chi appetizers which were ok. Used the wasabi for them, too. I think it would finish the menu if there was even one dessert and also coffee and traditional oriental tea. If you asked you could get fairly large "mugs" of green or black tea and I don't know if coffee was available. Very happy with the meal as was my friend. I can't wait to go there again.
(4)Kitty S.
My fiance and I were looking for a quick bite on Clark Street on a Wednesday night and we walked into Jin Ju. I immediately thought the ambiance was a little over done for my taste, which is not to say it's a bad thing, just not my scene. The staff was lovely and our food was spectacular. I had bulgogi (no mushrooms) and my fiance had the spicy dak bulgogi. Food was quick and waiter was personable and not pushy or uppity. The pan chan side dishes were also very good. There were 3 small portions of different food which I couldn't identify now if you held a gun to my head, but we loved them. Not a place to bring rowdy friends on a Friday night, but a great date spot with stand out food.
(4)Robyn T.
Jin Ju I love you. I've passed this little gem on Clark multiple times wondering when I'd be able to try their Korean fare. On a recent Monday I had the chance to do so and was incredibly impressed with the level of service and quality of the food. The modern, dark wood lends a relaxed vibe to the restaurant. The oh so friendly and exceptionally helpful server will make you want to stay the entire night (if you weren't too full to do so). I loved the appetizers we ordered - succulent ribs so tender they almost fell off the bone and a veggie pancake with dipping sauce. For my entree I selected the tilapia, a fillet so juicy (not something you usually associated with the fish) I lapped it up with the delicious blend of sauces it rested on. The eggplant in the dish complemented the fish nicely and I don't think there was anything left on my plate when I was done. A side of kimchee and other salads is a nice touch to the meal. I can't wait to come back and continue my Korean dining experience!
(5)Food Junkie S.
I frequent this place very often and there is a reason. The food really is that good. The cocktails are also very well made. One thing that really sets this place apart is the customer service. They truly exhibit their A game. The guys who work here know how to treat their customers, which side of the table to approach the diners, how to speak to guests, etc. My favorite food is their Chu Gu Mi Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap. It's so good, it'll floor you. I think I'll go again tonight for dinner and a Sojutini...
(5)Andy M.
This was the first time that I have ever tried Korean BBQ and I really enjoyed it. Our waiter was terrific. He talked me into the special which was a Brazed rib tip dish with noodles and sweet potato's. This all came in a giant bowl with a side of rice. To be honest, I didn't know what half the stuff in the bowl was. Everything was marinated in a kick ass sweet and sour sauce that was wonderful. Our server also turned me on to a Korean beer that went down the hatch with ease. My only issue with Jin Ju is that it seemed a bit pricey for what you get. Including our entree's and a couple of drinks, our bill was over $70. While Carolynne r. and I enjoyed our experience at Jin Ju, we might look for a less expensive Korean BBQ alternative the next time we have a hankering for it.
(4)natalie v.
Love, love, love, love, LOVE soju...and it's all thanks to Jin Ju. I had the one with cucumber that was extremely refreshing and went down way too easily. Then I had the ginger one...and things got a bit hazy after that. Each time I go, I get the Bi bim bop. It's always so good. The servers do a great job explaining what things are and how they're served. They ask you questions on what you like to make sure that you're going to get something that you enjoy. The servers are not at all pretentious and seem to enjoy working there. It's a very pleasant environment. I really enjoy the simple decor and ambiance. It is, however, one of those places that I forget about and then get so excited when I do remember to go there. I need to remember it more. Now that I've reviewed it, I hope to keep it in the front of my mind.
(4)Nicole M.
I love this place. B.Y.O.B and excellent sushi. Very exotic flavors. They know how to mix it up a bit. The prices are very reasonable. Bring your date here!
(4)Sara L.
I'll make this short and sweet. The food is EXCELLENT. We had the kimchee pajun (aka kimchee pancakes), kalbi jjim (braised short ribs), and ojinga bokkum (spicy fried squid). All of those dishes were tasty and authentic. I highly recommend it to all! The service is also EXCELLENT. Our waiter was super-friendly and helpful with our selections. He gave us good recommendations and was extremely nice! The only thing that I would have to say is a deterrent from me returning to this place is the price. I've been to several Korean restaurants in and around the city and can most definitely get these same dishes for cheaper!!! The menu offers good dishes but nothing unique or special. However, since the food I've had was delicious, I will give this place four stars.
(4)Jason G.
My first experience with Korean food was quite a win. It's been a long time since we went, but I just noticed I had this unfinished review. I don't remember what I had but that's not stopping me from handing out a 4-star rating for a job well done. Go here. I know I want to again.
(4)Boon K.
I like the ambience and the drink are great but the few times I have been there the food is just a little to salty for me.
(2)Paola B.
I purchased a dining experience from gdine ( gdine.com ) for $16/person dinner to Jin Ju. I went ther on Saturday night and the whole experience was seamless with exception of a small inconvenience with the host who told me upon arrival that my party and I had only 1 hour time to dine at the restaurant which I thought it was absolutely offensive and disrespectful. I've never heard this before at any restaurants I've been to. Other than this the food and drinks are commendable. The appetizers we ordered were almost entree sizes, the scallion pancake topped with squid and mussels is delicious as well as the spicy fried chicken legs. For entree the traditional Bi Bim Bap is very flavorful and fresh. The service was very knowledgeable and attentive.
(4)Rick F.
Food: Americanized Korean Atmosphere: New York Chic, Love It! Bathrooms: Hip and Clean Service: Excellent Prices: Reasonable I've been going for 5 years went the first time for my birthday and have celebrated many special occasions since! They remember our names and faces when we make a reservation and we go between two regular servers who really take care of us. I love the back bar, very cool atmosphere and a great place to have a drink before you go out! The food is not your run of the mill traditional Korean, so know this going in. Seems all the gross stuff was removed for the American palette. My fav's Dak Bulgogi, appetizer pancake and BBQ pork is amazing! love the various sides that come with every meal. Great place to take out of town visitors!
(5)Mihir P.
Some ethnic restaurants may just have great food and the decor/atmosphere is blah. Jin Ju is not only about the food and drink but also about the scene - exposed brick, busy bar scene and hipsters. Here are the dished I recommend - Doej Kalbi - BBQ spare ribs - Dok Gan Jang - chicken wings - Hamuel Pajun - Scallion pancakes w/ kim chee - Kalbi (beef) - Bulgogi (beef) Don't bother with the chicken versions as they were flavorless after eating the beef ones.
(5)Jennifer M.
I've fallen hard for this place! Ok.....I'm not a credible Korean food critic, but I do know good food and this place de-liv-ers. The server was enthusiastic about sharing menu information without being condescending. My affair with Jin Ju started upon entrance...exposed brick walls, dim lighting, lofted ceilings and beautiful woodwork. I wanted to ask our waiter if we could just take up his table space all night. I ordered the Korean pancake (forgot the correct name..Pan Jun?) it was perfectly crisped and came with a soy type dipping sauce. The vegetarian Bi Bim Bop was the winning entree with its steamy delivery (it sizzled!!) and kickbutt side of spicy red sauce. Pretty certain I was a fire eater in my former life so I would've been happier with even more spice, but it did the job. Miso soup, kim chee and small samples of veggie dishes accompanied the entrees. My taste buds never grew bored. Andersonville (and I) definitely scored with Jin Ju. I look forward to spending a bunch more QT with this one in the future.
(5)Dora V.
Look, y'all: If you want hard-core, traditional, fire-in-the-table Korean BBQ, you have plenty of other options in Chicago. If, however, you want a swank atmosphere, delicious Korean food without the fire-in-the-table, inventive martinis, fabulous service, and to be dead-smack in the center of Andersonville, Jinju will treat you RIGHT. You can't go wrong with the menu: it's all fabulous. The drinks are also winners: my favorite is the lychee-tini. Mmm! My advice: careful going for the third! This is a great date place, just use your self-seating skills: if they seat two of you at a four-top, sit at adjoining sides as opposed to across from each other. Encourages more intimate, less adversarial conversation (this advice is not Jinju-specific.) In summary: try Jinju with a date, before a show or a party, or with someone too scared or too prrissy to try full-on tabletop BBQ. Soak up the atmosphere and a couple of martinis, and appreciate the breadth of cultural experiences that Chicago has to offer.
(5)Heather K.
First off, Korean food is my favorite food. I grew up eating it and feel as though my opinion matters as my palate is trained in both authentic Korean food and Americanized Korean BBQ. This place gets 4 stars because of the Bi Bim Bop, awesome KimChee Mandoo and tasty Dak Bulgogi. Jin Ju isn't trying to be San Soo Kab Sun (my favorite Korean place) nor should it. They have succeeded in appealing to the less adventurous American eater by tweaking a few Korean favorites. The staff is friendly (a rarity in Korean joints) but the atmosphere is pretty dark. I could have had just a tad more lighting. Okay two gripes: 1) Plenty of cocktails but only ONE sake option!!! :( What gives????? 2) Only a few side dishes which are one of my favorite things about Korean places. The Dikon Radishes and cilantro were good, the broccoli was bland, but the cucumbers were great. Kim chee was good but it didn't leave me wanted more, like Kim Chee usually does... Overall 4 stars because it left me and my less than adventurous boyfriend very satisfied. I will definitely be back.
(4)Christina G.
I need to come back here, I came here sometime last year and I still remember this restaurant! The food was so good! Pancake app to share which was great. I remember eating the classic dish (first one on the menu) in the cast iron skillet and it was yum! Green tea after dinner aids in digestion well. The atmosphere was really cool, dark and trendy!
(4)Laurie F.
I'm still full from my dinner last night, and was it amazing? Heck yes! We had 8 at our table so I got to try a little of everything, the waiter was SUPER nice and asked if we'd had Korean food before. Upon hearing no, he showed us how to do it without any snootiness (he was, in fact, super awesome, friendly, helpful w/o being overbearing). Did I mention how good the food is? Can't wait for lunch when I get to eat the leftovers!
(5)Anisha A.
This is the classy call girl of Korean fare- flirtatious style, dependably easy and cool spice. Magically, you don't leave smelling like her either. The apps are a juicy tease, especially the pajun scallion pancake. Order it with the mussels and squid. The pork spare ribs have a solid kick, while the kim chee dumplings and kim bap roll were a yawn. Entrée wise, the sizzling pot bi bim bap showed promise, but was dangerously scant on the beef, which would have made a more devout Hindu proud versus irked. The tilapia was much more proficient, get it for the eggplant alone.
(3)Anthony J.
Been there a couple times now. Both have been delish. Last time I had the San Chae Bi Bim Bap. So fresh and lively tasting. My wife had the Chap Chae. Hers was even better than mine. Hearty and flavorful. Nothing fake or old or funky about their food, the real deal all the way. Not too expensive either. Not cheap, but worth it. Service is attentive and nice.
(5)Nick B.
I was in the mood to try something a little funky and decided to stop by Jin Ju since it's right down the street from me. I heard a lot of great things about it and was very excited to try it out. My friend and I were the first ones in the restaurant so that's always a little awkward but the staff was very accommodating. I ended up deciding on Bi Bam Bap (no egg) since it was one of the few vegetarian options. I was satisfied with the dish. Very tasty and the hot sauce was excellent. I appreciated how the sauce came on the side so you can mix it in as you liked. Overall I was satisfied. I was leaning on a 2 or 3 but decided on a 3 since the ambiance was great and the service was cool. A little pricey though. I say check it out.
(3)Beth G.
I can't even count how many times I've been to Jin Ju. I just love it! The food is always tasty, the drinks are to die for, and the service is top notch! I particularly love the chicken wing appetizer (I knew I would butcher the korean name) and the dak bulgogi, but my favorite is the potato salad side dish!! Servers and bartenders are always friendly and attentive. The company I work for has hosted several events here and they have gone above and beyond to make them enjoyable for us and our guests. Go here! Just do it!
(5)Karen K.
Unexpected romantic place! The food is really great too. They made Korean food sexy.
(5)Rich G.
Went on Saturday night with my wife and some firends. We had a reservation & had no wait (other than finding a parking space). We thought the front room was a little loud but fortunately we were seated in the back room which was more intimate & quiet. We shared 3 apps, Daeji Kalbi, Pajun & Kim Chee Mandoo, all were outstanding. The Bi Bim Bop was very good (get Dol Sut style so the rice gets crispy/crunchy!). THe service was very good, our server was great, very helpful.
(4)Jenna C.
Jin Ju achieves it's goal of making Korean food upscale and accessible to the Andersonville crowd. Cocktails are a creative introduction to soju, which I'm told can be less than smooth at first contact. Sae Chae Bi Bim Bop was spicy, full of vegetables and delicious. Our meal came with cucumber salad, pickled dikon radishes, green chilies, and kimchee which our waiter was great about explaining. A good date spot, especially if you're new to Korean food.
(4)Gail T.
If you're Korean, you probably wouldn't agree with my generous 5 star rating. Mom's home cooking is way better, but the ambiance and the service is what you want from any restaurant and the food isn't bad at all. Plus, unlike your usual Korean restaurant it doesn't smell soley of kimchii. The food has low-key Korean touches. For example, the spicey paste for the Bi Bim Bop is traditionally thick (hence, paste) but at Jin Ju it's watery-- not at all in a cheap way. I guess, it's done to accomodate the favors of all tastebuds. Andersonville just got better.
(5)Scott A.
The food and service here is outstanding - might be my new favorite spot in town. The Souju drinks are a little weak for my tastes, but then again Souju is 40 proof vs Vodka at 80 - so if you like a stiff drink have a martini or a scotch .
(4)Sally C.
Came here Saturday night in a group of 10 people. We milled around at the bar while waiting for our party to arrive, and a few people had some cocktails which they appeared to enjoy (I did not have any so I can't really say anything about them). Once our party was all present, we were promptly seated. The wait staff was attentive but didn't seem to care how long we stayed, which is good with a group of 10. I always appreciate it when they take your appetizer order first and take your dinner order later. The group ordered several different appetizers, most of which I tried. They were all very good and did what appetizers should do - tided me over until dinner got there and got me excited about the main course. For dinner I ordered the chap chae. It was quite tasty but the noodles were so long, it was somewhat difficult to eat. After downing so many appetizers, I only ate about half of the noodles (side point - they served it with a side of rice which I found to be unnecessary for a noodle dish) but ate all the meet and veggies out of it. I was definitely full by the end of the meal. I'm taking off a star for a few minor reasons. First, they charge a $10 corkage fee. I know they have a bar so the corkage fee is to encourage you to make use of the bar instead of bringing your own bottles. But still, this can be a little pricey if you bring a $5.99 bottle of wine to split between 2 people. Luckily there were 10 of us with about 8 bottles of wine so the $10 charge was acceptable. Secondly, the kimchi was sparse. I love Korean food, and I LOVE kimchi. There were three teeny tiny bowls of kimchi for 10 people to split. This was a little sad. They did bring out 3 other salads for sharing - apple/potato salad (a little bland but had a good texture), broccoli (it had some kind of light dressing and was a nice change from the main course), and a carrot slaw (had a definite kick to is - almost made up for the kimchi shortage). Finally, it was LOUD. Like REALLY LOUD. We were in the front near the door, and there weren't too many tables around us. However, it was one of the loudest restaurants I've ever been to. The decor is nice but on the minimalist side, and I think the tall ceilings mixed with the sparse decor made for some poor acoustics. If it weren't for this, it would have seemed like a nice date restaurant. But I suspect it's hard to be romantical when shouting across the table. All-in-all, a good dining experience, despite the few flaws.
(4)Jason M.
Jin Ju isn't serious traditional Korean like San Su Gab San. It's hip, trendy, and dark inside. What it is, however, is terrific. I recently had my fourth visit, and it was equally as good each time. The service is always terrific and the food, while it may seem not spectacular, is filled with great tastes. The other best part of Jin Ju is its extensive selection of Soju-tinis. Soju is a vodka-like spirit made from sweet potato. It's smooth as can be. My party had a standard, pom, and apple-pear. All were outstanding.
(4)Stephanie H.
If you're not looking for it, you might just miss it. That's one of the things I love about it. Once you do find it, you'll find discrete signage and a really cool/dark atmosphere. Lots of heavy dark woods. I love it. The food is really great...and really spicy. We've only gotten several of the appetizers. The chicken wings are super, super spicy. I also really enjoyed the veggie appetizer (for shame, I've forgotten all the names). Go check it out. I've had several great experiences.
(4)Katrina S.
I don't know how authentic it is and I don't care. It's deeeeeelicious! The few times I have been I always order the Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap. It comes out sizzling hot with the tiny korean sides; potato salad, sesame oil soybean paste soup, broccoli,spicy sauce and what seems to be jicama but I'm not sure. They are all fresh and tasty. Because the cast iron pot it comes in is sizzling hot when they bring it out the rice forms a crust around the sides and it's yummy. I wasn't sure about the egg on top but it was actually quite good when you mix it all up. Layers of flavor w/ a little spice and lots of texture. As an appetizer we had the scallion pancakes which were tasty but a little soggy. The soju cocktails are amazing! I am not much for super sweet cocktails so I get the cucumber & it's fabulous. Soju is a very clean liquor & I think a little lower on the alcohol content so it's good if you want to have a couple & avoid the hangover. The atmosphere is very dark and romantic which I like whether I'm on a date or not. The service was excellent! I wish I had his name - he was very attentive, friendly & kept calling me sweety/doll, etc. which I normally find annoying but for some reason not here, not tonight. Enjoy!
(4)Kristy H.
Excellent. I loved the food and service. The soju cocktails that we had were delish. The steamed dumplings we had for an appetizer were good, too. The food is not incredibly authentic, but I wasn't expecting it to be. The interiors are nice. The lights are low. It's a great place for a date for sure. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Megan G.
Excellent destination if you're new to and not so sure about Korean food and want something a bit more upscale than your typical Korean BBQ joint. I returned after last visiting several years ago and was happy to see that things are pretty much the same- great service, delicious food with pretty presentation, and a modern and hip ambiance. We had: - Lychee Sojutini (Soju is the Korean version of Saki but made from sweet potatoes and soooo smooth). I loved the subtle flavors in my sojutini. - Pajun potato/scallion pancake app - Salad (fresh and colorful) - Bulgogi (beef stir fry, heavy on the garlic and sesame oil flavors) - Bi Bim Bap (you gotta get it in the stone bowl so the bottom rice cooks into a solid cake- that's considered a delicacy). They give you hot sauce to add to your taste and the mix of ingredients is quite plentiful. - As is traditional with Korean cuisine we also received the various sides that come with the meal: kimchee (fresh!), broccoli, potato salad, and green beans. All were fresh and tasty with a little heat. Our server was very friendly and the bus boy refilled our glasses frequently (a + in my boyfriend's book) and cleared our plates quickly. I would have liked to try more sojutinis but they are strong. They also had a great selection of Korean beers and extensive wine list. The place was packed (it was Saturday night) but we were seated immediately after arriving 10 minutes late to our reservation. It's also always a plus when you see people of the nationality in which you are eating- an endorsement of authenticity if not tastiness. A great place to try and
(4)Anna T.
I really enjoyed my experience at Jin Ju the other night! No, it wasn't the most authentic, but certainly caters to a crowd looking for higher end Korean and attentive service. The boyfriend ordered me a peach soju cocktail (not sure what it was really called) and I was shocked at how light and refreshing it was. I guess I didn't know what to expect, but it was a delight! He had a rum and coke, which looked pretty generous. We ordered the Kim Chee Mandoo (dumplings) and Deaji Kalbi (BBQ pork spare ribs) as our appetizers. The Kim Chee Mandoo was a delightful combination of flavors that I wasn't expecting. The Deaji Kalbi were amazing. I'm not a fan of eating ribs in general, but some pieces were off the bone, which I took advantage of, and the boyfriend savored every bite of meat on the bone. For dinner I had the O Jinga Bokum (a squid dish with vegetables in a spicy-sweet red pepper sauce). Yum-o! Spicy, yes, but not to the point of breaking a sweat. The side of rice helped tame the spice and neutralize the flavors as well. My boyfriend ordered the Dak Bulgogi (boneless chicken and vegetables in a spicy red pepper sauce) - extra spicy. It was! Overall, great service and solid food at Jin Ju.
(4)Nilofar H.
One of my favorite restaurants in Chicago would have to be Jin Ju. It is not your typical Korean barbecue place. The food is finger-licking delicious! Jin Ju is a contemporary bar and lounge located in Andersonville. The ambiance is very zen and romantic. Great for a date night! The food is authentic but served with a contemporary flare. For starters, their seafood or vegetarian pancakes, and Kimchi Mandoo (choice of steamed or fried dumplings) are amazing! They have many main entrees but my favorite there is the Bi Bim Bap (steamed hot pot filled with rice, vegetables, beef chunks, topped with raw egg) and the Dak Bulgogi (chicken slow cooked and simmered in a special sweet and sour spicy red sauce). They also have many vegetarian options but being a meat lover I naturally gravitate towards the meat and seafood dishes. Being a neighborhood joint, it is family run and the owners are always around and super friendly. The staff and servers are also phenomenal and always remember us (even if we haven't been there in a while). I cannot say enough good things about this place!!
(5)Natalie S.
I heart this place. I have been approximately 10 times and I have loved each experience. Yeah, it's a little overpriced and not the most authentic but the food is just fantastic. My favorites are the chicken bulgogi and the deep fried kim bap rolls. I think the dol sot bi bim bap is good... but I've had better. I am a big fan of going there and just ordering things off the appetizer menu. I've always had excellent servivce!
(4)Charlie B.
I love it here every time I go back. Yeah, it isn't the most authentic, but it is damn good. I usually either get the bulgogi or the tilapia dish, and they are both pretty stellar. And I love the sojutinis.
(4)Keith F.
I honestly love the food at Jin Ju, but let me tell you how disappointed I was this weekend. We were so looking forward to going out and enjoying a nice dinner this Saturday, January 12, 2013 -- our first restaurant reservation of the new year. We had a reservation for 2 at 8:15PM. We arrived at 8:05p and checked in with the host who said our table should be ready shortly. Conveniently, there were two chairs open at the bar so we decided to take off our coats and order a drink. The bartender was very overwhelmed with drink orders so about 10 minutes later he apologized for the wait and asked us what we would like to order. I ordered a Ketel One Cosmopolitan and we sat at the bar waiting for our table to be ready. As we are sitting there, it was very busy, but several parties of 2 people, then 4 people, wandered in the front door and were expediently seated. At 8:35PM, 30 minutes after we arrived and 20 minutes past our due reservation, the host comes over to us and said that the people at our table are "lingering" and we needed to wait some more. Sure enought, 9:00PM approches, I am now done with my cocktail, and still NO TABLE -- 45 minutes past our reservation. We were so upset and now the host was no where to be found, we grabbed our jackets and left. What a DISAPPOINTMENT for a Saturday night dinner we were so looking forward to. No apology, no one trying to "make the situation right," just nothing. I really wish this evening went so much better and I can honestly say that we are not sure when we will return.
(2)Andrea R.
My boyfriend and I decided to be adventurous this weekend and try Korean food for the first time. Not having any idea of where was the best place to go for first timers I turned to my fellow yelpers for help. We ended up deciding on Jin Ju and a big thanks to all those who suggested it because it was a wonderful evening! I really liked the cool, dark atmosphere of Jin Ju. We were shown to our table immediately and greeted by a very helpful waiter. I started with a Pear Martini, which seems to be a popular choice among yelpers, and I can see why...delicious! My boyfriend thought it tasted like pure sugar, but personally I don't see anything wrong with that! With the help of our fabulous waiter (Shane) we chose 2 appetizers to start, as well as 2 entrees. I'm going to try hard to remember the names of everything we ordered, but it may be difficult because I had a few too many Pear martini (I really loved that martini). Appetizer #1 was Kim Chee Mandoo, steamed dumplings, which were just OK. It tasted like your normal potsticker. However, the 2nd appetizer (Kim Bap) tasted and looked like a fried sushi roll and it was absolutely delicious! They accidentally gave our 2nd appetizer to the wrong table so it came out a little late, but they were so nice and apologetic about it that we didn't care. For our entrees we had a spicy chicken dish (Bok Bulgogi). This was my boyfriend's favorite part of the meal.. I was busy devouring a special on the menu (can't remember the name....darn martinis) which was Bi Bam Bap, but it had pieces of raw tuna, snapper, other fish, seaweed, etc in it. I loved it and will definitely be going back for more...apparently they have this special on the menu every weekend. A few hours and $80 (before tip) later we left the restaurant smelling like Korean food. We really enjoyed our first Korean food experience and plan on going back again soon. I loved Jin Ju, but I want to try Solga and San Su Gab San at some point too!
(5)Caroline A.
I love this place for a slightly different Korean experience. Typically, I go to the dive korean restaurants for authentic food. However, I was in the mood for something different. The service was very slow, and the restaurant was not even crowded. However, the food was excellent. I asked for Korean barley tea, and it came out cold. Not a good sign. We went with the Kal-bi (marinated short ribs), oh jing uh bokum (sauteed calamari in a sweet hot pepper paste), dolmi (pan fried tilapia in a sweet soy sauce) and soon do boo jigae (hot stew with soft tofu, shrimp and zucchini). Everything was excellent. They did not offer too much in terms of panchan, but the kimchee was very good for a more Americanized restaurant. I also walked out smelling like a barbeque pit, but it was well worth it! Will have to come back another night! This is the perfect setting for a low-key date. Pretty casual, but still has the dark, candle-lit atmosphere. Love the urban timber loft space!
(4)cat c.
Being a Korean, I have to say that Jin Ju is a restaurant for people who want to be paying a lot for dark lighting, mediocre food and "fusion" drinks. If you drive a bit more north onto Lawrence Avenue you can find a lot better food at San Su Gab San. The scallion pancake is the size of a medium dinner plate and greasy. Not crispy like its supposed to be. The dumplings are definitely not homemade and you can purchase the EXACT same ones at the grocery store. As far as service, the waiter was nice but can't say phenomenal as you would expect at a upscale establishment. Overall, I think this is perhaps a place to bring someone who NEEDS ambiance but otherwise save your money and go to a real Korean restaurant.
(2)Kevin R.
I have eaten here almost 50 times. Excellent!!!!!!! Everything is good! My favorite place in the neighborhood!!!!!!
(5)Keely J.
The food is always fresh and delicious. The soju martinis are amazing, and we have never had to wait long for a table. Wonderful service, and a nice take on Korean food. Even as a vegetarian, I feel as though there are a few options for everyone.
(5)Sheila H.
Cool, hip, warm atmoshere - great music, although it was a bit loud and when we asked our server to see about turning it down, he just looked at us blankly. Anyway ....... this place is what I would call Korean/fusion. The food is healthy and delicious. The 2 times I've been there I order the BimBimBop and when I asked to substitute chicken for beef, our server also suggested that I might like brown rice instead of white which I really appreciated. I also had the salad to start - big enough to share, fresh with a great dressing. Good date place. Will definitely go back.
(4)Stephen R.
Great food. They have a new dish which is essentially chicken wings which are excellent. A little pricey but the wings are as good as great seas wings on lawrence.
(5)Oliver S.
Great place. Food was tremendous. Not like anything you've ever had, but not weird enough that you should plan to grab a burger after. Can make anything vegetarian. Friendly staff. Lovely environment. Good wine list. Get over here if you want Asian food, but DON'T want the SAME OLD THING.
(5)Carolynne M.
This is a more upscale version of Korean BBQ - the interior was quite modern, the entrees more expensive, and no cooking at your table so it wasnt meaty or smokey in there. I ordered the Orange Crush Soju cocktail mostly because of Colleen's recommendation, and while it was good, I am not sure I would order it again. The drink either was made too mild for my liking or else Soju just doesnt have that much kick to it. Otherwise, my Bi Bim Bap entree was pretty darn delightful, chock full of rice, beef and a ton of veggies. You will want to come here if you are a newbie to Korean food or want to impress a date. For cheap eats or a more "real" experience, Jin Ju might not be the best choice.
(4)Ria C.
I'm a novice when it comes to Korean food, only having been to Cho Sun Ok and dabbling in korean dishes when found in Asian-Fusion menus, but I really am starting to develop a crush. We came here for an I Wish class that we mistakenly thought was a cooking class. Instead it was an introduction into Korean culture, language, and cuisine. I can't tell you a phrase or anything about korean culture as this part of the course wasn't as memorable or striking. The food however was great. I woudn't recommend the korean liquor, soju, as it really has no punch and lacks flavor. 10 shots of these couldn't get me drunk. Daeji Kalbi-BBQ pork spare ribs-sticky and sweet, just how I like my meat. Pajun-ooo yum yum, this was perfectly crispy and slightly oily-what do you expect from a fried pancake? We had the veggie version, but I'd love to try it topped with squid and mussels. Sang Sun Jun-lightly battered white fish-mmm. so moist, so yum, i want more. Bulgogi-Gimme Gimme More Gimme More, this beef had my belly singing britney and that's hard to do. Chap Chae-I love! I'm filiipino and I love pancit, this may anger a few folks out there, but I may like this korean noodle version even better. I'm coming back with the bubby soon.
(4)Miharu H.
I have passed by Jin Ju a number of times and finally decided to stop in today with my friend. It was tasty but nothing special. Thought it was overpriced and that I could find the same dishes for much much cheaper at some of my fav korean restaurants. However, the service was very friendly and attentive.
(1)Claire Y.
OK food, OK decor (dark and modern), OK atmosphere (lounge-ish), OK service (except the touchy-feely staff), and slightly overpriced for the smaller-than-usual-for-Korean-restaurant portions. We still had a great time despite the mediocrity that was Jin Ju. I will say, though, I was quite pleased with the galbi jjim (though the meat could've been a little more tender). Overall, I'd say a nice place to have a night out with Korean-food-virgin friends.
(3)Jeff M.
The food is absolutely delicious and the staff and owner is very friendly. Having said that, tonight was the first Sunday evening of the year that they had a full house, and they simply weren't staffed for it in the kitchen or the front. Service was terribly slow, and they knew it. The bottom line, though, is that I would go back and bring friends. I spent a lot of time in Korea during an earlier part of my life, and trust me, this food is far better. We went on our server's recommendations, and everyone enjoyed their meals.
(4)Matthew G.
I've been to Jin Ju numerous times over the years and cannot believe that I have not yet reviewed it! What was I thinking? Well, here goes... Jin Ju is a striking little spot on the Andersonville strip. The decor has a minimalist chicness, yet manages to eschew pretension. It's an upscale vibe that feels comfortable and relaxing. They have an extensive bar list (as well as a groovy little lounge in the rear of the restaurant) which features an abundance of soju-based (Korean liquor made from distilled sweet potato) martinis. The Jinger is my favorite -- very gingery and very refreshing. I have tried some of the others with mixed results. I must add that I am not a fan of sweet drinks, so most of my previous nixes were due soley to the sweetness. On my most recent visit, my fabulous new friend tried the asian pear soju-tini and offered me a sip. It was sweet and not very pear-y. It was by no means terrible, but not my drink of choice. I'll stick to the Jinger. Of course, they can mix up anything you'd like and have a good wine list as well The menu at Jin Ju offers a nice variety of traditional Korean dishes (Bibim-bap, Bulgogi) that are served up with style and innovation. A good appetizer selection is also available. Recently, they offered a lovely Korean carpaccio (on special). Although its presentation seemed more like tartare than carpaccio, the flavors were wonderful -- perfectly seasoned beef atop thin strips of Asian pear, garnished with peppery greens. My friend had the Pajun (Korean pancake) -- savory scallion goodness that was delicious, if just a tad greasy. For an entree, I chose the Kim Chee Chigae. It was a brisk, chilly evening, so a nice, hot soup seemed just the ticket. I was not disappointed. The soup was perfectly hot in both spiciness and temperature, full of tender beef and Kim Chee vegetables and was immensely satisfying. The sticky rice on the side was a worthy compliment. What with all the recent frigid weather, I will most likely be back for more of it soon! YUM! I should have offered my friend a taste, but I was enjoying it so much I fear I was overtaken by greediness. I hope I will be forgiven! The best part? I was perfectly satisfied -- not too full nor did I feel compelled to eat more. I love those establishments that have mastered the "perfect portions" of food. Prices at Jin Ju are quite fair -- it's not dirt cheap, nor is it ridiculously expensive (I'd say an average of $30-$35 for a cocktail, appetizer and entree). The quality is excellent, so it's a good value -- definitely money well spent. The service on my recent visit was quite nice. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly without being effusive and timed out the meal well. There is another server there (whose name I sadly don't know/can't recall) who is a hoot (in a really approriate way). He always adds a certain sassy sparkle to the proceedings without being obtrusive or inappropriate which is something I really appreciate. After all, a bit of sass can be a very good thing! The space at Jin Ju has a hip, romantic ambience making it a great date spot (plus, it will impress, yet not bust the wallet). I suppose my only real criticism is that it can get a tad noisy when the restaurant fills up (but that is true most anyplace, I guess). Also, the little lounge in the back makes a great "getting to know you" cocktail spot. Andersonville had a lot of really great restaurants, but Jin Ju offers that little something different. It's always a great change of pace!
(4)Jayde L.
Very forgettable. Came here with a friend using gdine. best dish from the options we chose was the kalbi appetizer and it wasn't even great bbq for me either.
(3)George D.
First of all, here's an important detail to know if you're checking out Jin Ju on Yelp. The address is right, but the Google map is wrong... it's actually right on the northeast corner of Clark & Foster. Happy hunting! Eat more Korean food. It's really good. I see from the reviews that some people are knocking the food at Jin Ju for being less than authentic. I really can't comment on that... but if you're a non-Asian like me, you'll appreciate the fact that Jin Ju is a normal restaurant, with native English-speaking servers who can tell you what everything is and how it's prepared. Ours was a really funny guy too. The atmosphere is nice--low-lit and a little swanky. Great for a dinner date with the girlfriend. The martinis, which are a specialty here, are made with Soju, which is apparently an imported Korean spirit. They're good, but very light flavored. My cucumber martini tasted a lot like cucumber-tinged water... which is not really a bad thing--it was very refreshing. The scallion pancake is a great appetizer. We also had a raw beef app that was on special--I don't know if the seasoning is authentic or not, but it sure was delicious. My girlfriend has become a full-on bulgogi addict, and she really liked hers here. It's actually presented with some vegetables, as opposed to being just beef on a plate, like you get at other Korean places. For me, the star of the show was my entree, which was Dolsot Bi Bim Bap. Most of the time, bi bim bap is served with the vegetables cold, so when you mix it up with the hot rice, the whole concoction ends up sort of luke warm. It's good that way, but it's even better if you get the Dolsot version, which is served in a hot stone bowl, so the whole thing keeps warming while you're eating. And the rice bits that stick to the sides get all toasty... MMMM! Anyway, if you're an American who likes Korean food, you'll love it at Jin Ju. And if you're an American who WILL like Korean food, but you haven't tried it yet, go here. It's a great place to start off.
(5)Brian W.
I'm not one for semi-swank places, so Jin Ju's atmosphere didn't sway me either way. The pajun (scallion pancakes), however, left a very favorable impression -- leave it to me to crave something involving fried onions. For an entree, I had a basic chicken bulgogi that was fine but far more forgettable. This is an appropriate place for a date and a foofy cocktail, I suppose, but it's also not high on my repeat list.
(3)Katie C.
Jin Ju has a dark candelit atmosphere that makes it the perfect setting for date night or ladies cocktail hour. The service staff is extremly professional and helpful which is especially good for people like me who have not sampled korean dishes before. They really seem to care that you are experiencing the dishes at their best. I have been to Jin Ju twice and every appetizer, entree, and dessert has been amazing.The cocktails are all made with the korean liquor, soju and are truely phenominal. The Jin Ju staff will be seeing a lot of me!
(5)Gayle G.
It was ok, really. Nothing spectacular. I think maybe it was "oversold" to me. But, on two separate occasions, people have raved about Jin Ju to me. I was underwhelmed. I think I was expecting a more traditional Korean experience, which is what I would have preferred. I'm not really into the modern, fusiony places too much. The food was just ok, the service was good and I thought the place was a little overpriced for what we got. I may try it again just to confirm this visit, but I'm not even sure about that.
(2)Melody L.
Things to do in Chicago: 1. Eat. 2. Eat a lot. 3. Keep eating. 4. Keep eating until you get on the plane. One bumpy plane ride, two crying babies, and thirty pounds later I arrive back to DFW... after buying another seat for my ass. We fought for the window seat. This neighb of Chicago reminded me a bit of Brooklyn with it's side streets lined with cute walk-ups and casually dressed peeps with a dab 'o style walkin' the streets. My wonderful dinner companion and I walked in to find two more fabulous ladies to dine with. Hey girls! You automatically go into relaxed mode when entering this cozy spot. The aroma of spices floods out of the kitchen and locks onto your nostrils, guiding you to an open table. The tables near the front window look like a perfect space to people watch over a flavor-packed meal and a nice glass of red. I was a bit jealous of my girl's Orange Crush cocktail that she ordered since it looked so damn good. I was pretty happy with my Pear soju though. I followed that with a nice enough glass of a shiraz-cab blend. Here is what I recommend ordering. Actually you may want to order half of this... Cucumber and Crab Salad (Split it to start out a meal. The spicy tangy red pepper vinaigrette has a hint of sesame and peanut sauce in it.) Mandoo Soup (You'll enjoy the mix of dumplings and egg in a yummy broth, comes in a pretty big bowl.) Kim Bop (A large seaweed roll filled with rice, bulgogi, spinach, carrots, yellow pickled radish, fish cake, and egg.) Bi Bim Bop (Rice topped with beef, bean sprouts, spinach, carrots, shitake mushrooms, shredded radish, red leaf lettuce, fried egg, and a spicy red pepper paste sauce to mix in. It's kind of spicy, so just add a bit if ya don't like the heat. Can also be ordered without meat, and err the fried egg was the only thing left in my big bowl. But I don't like fried egg. Eek.) Domi (Lightly battered pan-fried tilapia fillet served with marinated eggplant, portobello mushrooms, and baby carrots in a ginger hot mustard sauce.) We all liked our entrees obviously because we went from enthusiastic chatter boxes to heads stuffed in bowls. I was super full (again) when leaving the restaurant, so I was happy that we had to walk a bit to find the car. It was honestly probably more of a shuffle than a walk though. Hit this place up with a date or with a few of your friends to catch up. Great atmosphere and great food = great time. Thanks JJ for the extra junk in m'trunk this weekend.
(4)Anna G.
Jin Ju- Amazing service! Our waiter was very attentive and helpful with what could have been intimidating food. We all ordered big bowls of sort of healthy stuff-- a radical departure from my past experiences with Korean food, which can be somewhat poisonous. I had the regular Bi Bim Bop; my friends had something similar and vegetarian. They each came with a Korean version of miso soup and a trio of relishes including one amazing apple/potato salad and some of the best and most addictive kim chi I've ever had. Our waiter invited us to try our order served in a superhot bowl since it was cold and snowy outside. When it arrived, he showed us how to mix up the egg served with it so it cooked in the bowl, and how to add the hot sauce that came along so it fit our individual tastes. Suffice to say, he gently helped us transition to self-sufficiency, so it was a Korean food Bar Mitzvah. Boys becoming men, men becoming banchan. A beautiful restaurant with some very flattering lighting. A sophisticated introduction to Korean food for people who don't know it well and a nice fusion-y twist on the classics for aficionados. Take your mom, take your classy date, take your high school boyfriend to show him how far you've come.
(4)Lee S.
, Jin Ju can mean several things but put together it seems the most likely meaning is a city in South Korea where a relatively small number of Koreans fought off a large number of Japanese... until a few years later when the Japanese returned with an obscene number and crushed them. Jin Ju restaurant in Andersonville is like that city somewhat. (Hopefully the Japanese aren't on their way) This restaurant is bold and defiant. Sleek, sexy and hip... a good place for a date. Make a reservation on the weekends. It seems Koreans prefer beef, although every dish is available as chicken etc... The dishes were hearty and flavorful. Interesting. I had a dish with a bed of rice noodles and slices of beef on top. The beef could have easily been overly seasoned, cooked, parked in a tray... but intead it was fresh, delicate and tender. My new found friend had the Kimche soup and said it was delicious and warm to the bottom. He also had raw beef appetizers, something I like to call land sushi. It was good. Just good. Offering Kimchi soup to non-Koreans is bold yet well taken. The marinated vegetables were outstanding and unusual. Craveable! Very unique, interesting, innovate choices in a slightly stuffy, formal atmosphere. Worth your while.
(4)Nick S.
After walking over to Hop Leaf and getting the dreaded hour and a half wait quote, we headed back up Clark to Jin Ju, as we have been wanting to try it forever. Great attentive host, and waitstaff. Our waiter was extremely nice. We had mixed opinions on the food. I ordered the Dak Di which had I known was a soup type meal, I wouldn't have ordered. My fiancee ordered the Chap Chae, which was amazing. If we go back we would definitely order that again. We also got the pancakes for an appetizer which were pretty good. Overall, it was good, not great. Definitely something to try if you are in the mood for something different and adventurous.
(3)Wesley N.
I haven't been to Andersonville for too long. Don't ask. Now that I'm in Hipster Park- Sorry- Wicker Park, there aren't any decent Korean restaurants anywhere. There's one on North Ave, but it's obviously not for Koreans-LOL. So back to my story. Jin Ju Go there. Eat. Drink. Pay. Make Memories And I'll drop by and get some next time I'm up that way- Sorry Andy! P.S. These are good people too. Better bring your friends with.
(5)Robert S.
I really enjoyed the ambiance and service at Jin Ju. The dark and alluring decor really tried to make this place romantic. However, the family with the loud kids near the front didn't help. Well, it was a Sunday afternoon, after all! In fact, Jin Ju's swanky-velvet-curtains look had people accidentally going into the kitchen when looking for the restrooms. Regardless, our waiter was top-notch, and the host and water guy were super-attentive. I had never before been to a Korean place that explained what the weird looking side dishes were. Awesome. Basically, it's accessible and offers what other Korean restaurants do not- friendly and educating staff, clean air that wont leave your clothes smelling like food, and a spacious, well- decorated room. It does come with a price, though. I'd say that it's almost twice as expensive than Cho Sun Ok or San Soo Gab San for the dishes that they do have. The portions are also smaller, but that is probably a good thing. Also, while the food at Jin Ju is tasty, it just isn't as good as the aforementioned places. Great for dates, or when you can't handle the craziness of the more traditional places.
(3)Nancy B.
I was so excited when this place opened a several years ago. I thought it would be Korean food in an atmosphere that is more "non-Korean" friendly. I was disappointed, but decided to give it another try. Results are the same, 3rd time will not be the charm for this 1/2 Korean gal. The atmosphere is great, which is why I have given it 2 stars. It's dark and swanky. However, not dark enough for me to notice that I was the only Asian diner in the place. Not a good sign. My friends thought the food was good. But I was so disappointed. Everything was bland, bland bland. A little pricey too. I'm not sure if they forgot both times...but where are the pan chans? In Korean restaurants, you are supposed to get a bunch of little side dishes before and during the meal. All I received here was water. Call me crazy, but I think a restaurant's #1 focus should be on the food.
(2)John B.
In Defense of Jin Ju Some people complain about Jin Ju not being "authentic," about it being too fancy (or worse, chichi), about the staff not being Korean. They can bite my bim bap. Yes, Jin Ju is upscale. The prices are actually not markedly higher than a place like San Soo Gap San, though the portions are smaller, so it's a bit more expensive. And yes, you will be able to understand your server. Sorry about that. I went to Jin Ju before I ever went to any of the authentic Korean BBQ joints, so that affects my perception. But you know what? I love this place. There's a good selection of staples, such as kalbi, bulgogi, and the omnipresent bi bim bap, plus a variety of appetizers, soups, and salads. The food is fresh and attractively presented. The pajun (scallion pancake) is a winner -- I generally get it with squid and mussels. And then there are the sojutinis. Soju is a traditional Korean clear liquor, and they mix it up here in a number of tasty ways. I'm partial to the pear, the ginger, and the cucumber sojutinis. They also have a full bar, and a respectable wine list. This is a good date place. The dining room has two levels, and large windows look out onto Clark Street. There's a lot of dark wood and exposed brick, set off by soft lighting, mirrors and vases. And the servers are nearly as tasty as the food. Though not as stunning as the staff that opened the restaurant a few years ago, they are still a lovely bunch. Some big queer is doing the hiring. And I say that with the greatest respect.
(4)Sherry W.
Had Jin Ju last night for something like the 5th time - and it has been consistently top notch each time. Service is always friendly and as fast as possible (it's usually packed to the gills on weekend nights), the food is fresh, sexy and while it's not the most authentic Korean food, whatever dish you get you will be devouring. Atmosphere is low-key swanky - it's chic, without being ultra pretentious. I take all my out of town friends here - it's reliably a fun time.
(5)Andy S.
I came in to Jin Ju expecting a lot and I don't think they really delivered. The staff was very nice and attentive, the drinks were very good, but the food was not 'wowing' me like I thought it would. I had the short ribs entree on a bed of lettuce with a side of rice and some other veggies. Honestly, that's all it was, meat on lettuce with rice. It had a subtle seasoning that wasn't very noticeable, and it was good, but I was expecting much more. We had a fried chicken wing appetizer that was extremely good, but the dinner didn't deliver like I hoped it would. If I had to go back here I wouldn't mind at all, but for the price I'd rather go somewhere else.
(3)David M.
Have been here several times and Jin Ju never disappoints. My partner had his birthday dinner here. It's a great place for a special celebration because they have a large room in the back that is conducive for mingling with friends (two separate seating areas near the bar in the back. No extra charge to reserve the room. When we called to reserve and told the mgr that it was for a group dinner, she offered the option of a family style set up. She was very accommodating. We opted for each ordering from the menu. The service is always fast, professional and friendly. One of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. Oh...the food is great and reasonably priced. Yes, there are cheaper and more rustic Korean restaurants, but Jin Ju gives you a sexy atmosphere and an upscale experience without spending a fortune. Love it.
(5)Cindy P.
This is great food, courteous service and excellent soju-tinis. Everytime I want to impress a friend who hasn't tried this place or an important client that wants to eat Korean, I take them here. It's perfect and the ambience is A TON better than some of the dive Korean restaurants that are out there! That's why I'm proud to take important people here. But they do get a false sense of what most Korean restaurants are like but I do like to start them out with a good impression!
(5)Chris S.
"Upscale Korean" (I guess), and more like 2.5 stars. All I've had is the bibimbop. It's not bad but there is better to be found on Lawrence. I do like the atmosphere and don't mind Jin Ju for a quick bite. Wouldn't go out of my way for it.
(2)Kate H.
I love this place! Having been here twice, I've never tried anything I didn't like. Great ambiance, great service. The Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap is spicy and great. If you like spicy food this is the one for you. They also have some lovely plum wine. Can't wait until the next time I get to Jin Ju.
(4)David E.
I really enjoyed my experience here. I thought the food was very good. I've been there in a while but I do remember having a spicy chicken dish that was excellent. I say try it if you are looking for something a little different and a nice chic atmosphere.
(4)Atl L.
Had reservations but had to wait - who cares when there's room at the bar and delicious cocktails. Once we sat down the server was attentive and helpful. Food was really good. Kinda dark in there but besides that a nice meal.
(4)Mindy S.
I've been wanting to try this place forever, so was very excited when my friend agreed to go with me the other night. We went during the week, and got right in, but I've heard it does get crowded on the weekends. The pear martini's were excellent and we both enjoyed the entrees we ordered. The menu was a bit new to me, but the waiter was super helpful and we were very happy with our choices. I thought the portions were plenty big, despite a fellow yelpers review saying otherwise.
(4)Lisa M.
I was very suprised by how great this place was. I saw it on TV on 190 North and had to check it out. I have never had anything that tasted like the food here! Definitely try the chicken wing appetizer, it was the best thing there. Our waiter was very helpful with the menu and suggesting dishes for us to try and also pointing out what exactly each thing was that we were eating. Spicy!
(3)Esther Y.
smaller portions + higher price - flavor = Jinju.
(1)Amanda A.
A-MAZ-ING! This was my first experience with Korean food and I must say - we found a VERY good thing with JinJu. This swanky minimalist spot in andersonville has a very relaxed vibe - we saw couples having a quite evening, families out for an adventurous dinner with their young ones, and singles meeting after work - all equally enjoying themselves. They are known for their soju - which i believe is a korean grain liquor made from sweet potatoes - i had the asian pear which was yummy and my fiance and our friends thoroughly enjoyed thier cucumbers cocktails. This is also one of the first places we have been in a very long time that when something on the menu is offered as a spicy entree it actually is. My fiance was completely wowed by his entree as someone who prescribes to the "spicier the better" philosopy - he enjoyed the dak bulgogi which was an excellent recommendation made to us by the bartender. I LOVED my dish - Dol Sut Bi Bim Bap- a rice,beef, vegetable, and fried egg dish mixed tableside in a steaming stone pot. They didn't have much for a wine list or desserts but it was so delicious that it would not deter us for even a second from coming back.
(4)Jenny I.
Perfect for a date or a special night. Small, but not cramped. Excellent menu, so many vegetarian options, very uniquely neo-Korean. Try the freaky ginger pear martinis, but don't have two or you'll spill your food and it's too good to waste.
(5)Laura R.
Sorry to be another over-seller, but I love this restaurant. Delicious drinks, tasty food, reasonable prices, warm service.
(4)Oona B.
well, it was better than soju, on north avenue (in wicker park). i need to try again and re-evaluate. . .
(3)Karen P.
I went to this restaurant for the first time for a bday party with some friends. I am giving it a 3 star review because the food was OUTSTANDING but the service kind of sucked - for me at least. I have never had Korean food before and after literally having to hold a candle and try not to set myself on fire trying to read the menu, I ordered a dish that will not be forgotten. I have no idea what it was, but it was chicken and it was spicy and it was GOOD. VERY good. Amazing, actually. But then when we were trying to pay the check the waiter had me sign my credit card slip right when my bday friend was making a big announcement - so I missed that. THEN he messed up the credit card charging and had me sign another slip right when we were all singing Happy Birthday to the bday boy. WTF? I realize this is a fluke, but our party had like 18 people in it - it was obvious it was a party. Stop bothering me! And then the lighting in that back room. The night sky of Chicago almost blinded me when I went outside, it was just too dark back there. But the food....YUM!
(3)aj w.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! I could eat something from this menu every day of the week. I have never had a bad meal here--it is always consistent. The service is always excellent and the martinis are amazing. Try the chop chae--by far the best I've ever had. However, you will not find a bad dish on this menu. I've tried almost everything and have loved it all. Thank goodness it is in my neighborhood.
(5)Mike H.
fThe menu is a little bit on the expensive side; but, that said, this place is hottt. Bring a date here. For real, you'll get some. I did.
(5)G G.
Easily becomes a favorite. The service and food were amazing; the decor is sexy-minimal, but rich. Low light adds to the experience.
(5)Stephanie I.
Cool atmosphere with a friendly, flirty staff. The portions are huge so sharing is recommended. Food was great and it was reasonably priced. Check it out!
(4)Mark P.
Not bad if you're looking for Americanized Korean food. Hwae dup bap is a nice weekend special.
(3)yvette n.
i love this place. beautiful space. the music was a little loud more lounge like than intimate dinner. but it was fun and still intimate for us since we were tired from work and just wanted to relax and have a nice meal in presence of each other. the service was impeccable. good drink menu. and i thought it was not that expensive for what it is. an upscale korean restaurant in andersonville
(4)Vic C.
This really is a great date night restaurant. The ambiance is comfortable and inviting. The food is exceptional and the staff has always been wonderful. A long-time favorite. I'm only sorry I took so long to review.
(5)Robb S.
Took my partner here for a romantic dinner and couldn't have been happier. Service was great, food was AMAZING. I would have given them 5 stars except for the one minor gaffe that the place is literally pitch black dark at night. If you're in the back room, you might as well be eating in a cave. Every table we saw had their iPhones out, using them as light to read the menu by or to see what their food looked like. Since the place is so pretty, and the food so good, I think they can crank up the lighting a notch. They've got nothing to hide. And the waiters were hot too btw...from what I could see ;-)
(4)Rachel R.
I'm not sure if this is restaurant is supposed to serve traditional Korean food or not - but I do know that the food they serve IS REALLY GOOD! I had the Deaji Kalbi (bbq marinated ribs) for an appetizer and the Dak Bulgogi (spicy chicken and rice) for dinner. I split both of these with another gal and we were satisfied for our meal. My palate was so happy I quickly ordered a SECOND Dak Bulgogi to go so that I could eat it for lunch the next day. It reheated very well and now I crave it. I went here with a big group of people (about 20) and we sat in the back. Service for our party was good but I didn't like that they split us into two tables. That was my only complaint. Everyone was happy with the food.
(4)Michelle K.
More Chicago reviews before I totally forget what delicious places made my visit so happy! My friend picked Jin Ju in Andersonville for our double date and I am so glad she did! Inside, the modern decor and place settings were a pleasant surprise. The service was exceptional - our [bald] waiter was especially helpful, explaining us through the components of certain dishes, giving us warnings on spicy ones, being all 'round nice. I loved my entree, Chap Chae, which sounded pretty straightforward on the menu but was so flavorful! It was just a little tough to handle the tasty pieces of beef with just chopsticks and my front teeth. Our appetizers were a little more average (small dumplings and scallion pancakes) but everyone agreed that the main dishes were the highlight. Give it a try!
(4)Eric S.
A Korean restaurant for non-Koreans! ::yawn:: FYI Bi Bim Bop is Korean for "leftover delight"!
(1)Ngoc H.
The food is hardly authentic. Great atmosphere for dates but disappointing in taste. We asked for bean paste, the waiter didn't know what it was!? Brought us this watery brown liquid that tasted hardly anything like bean paste. I had the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bop, I'll have to say, it's pretty flavorful but the portions i'm used to do not compared to these portions. Side dishes were very fresh. Parking may be a bit of a hassle.
(3)Rikki W.
I love this place! My first time visiting and I'm not a huge Korean food fan but this place really knows how to do it right. The food is top notch and the service is excellent. The soju martinis are so amazing as well. Everyone is very welcoming and makes you feel at home. I can't wait to go back to Chicago to come here again!
(5)Nick A.
I can see where people familiar with Koren cuisine may think this place is over-priced for what the food is, and they would probably be right. However, I must say, I found the dishes we had haemul pajun (appetizer) and bulgogi and bi bim bap (entrees) were very tasty. The sojutinis here are also excellent. I don't like fruity martinis, and their ginger martini is excellent...mildly sweet, but not fruity. Their cucumber sojutini was also really good. My gf had a watermelon sojutini that tasted like candy, but great if you're in to that. At $8, I think they are fairly priced. The service was excellent, the hosts were very friendly and helpful, and our waiter was very nice, attentive and prompt with his service. Our total bill pre-tax and pre-tip was $65 (for 3 sojutinis, 1 app, 2 entrees). I thought the price point was pretty good, I mean, I think you're paying for some of the trendiness of the place, but that is ok. Overall, we had a great dining experience.
(4)Steve L.
Poor poor attempt at making Korean food fancier. Tofu soup was bad, korean made sushi was bad, Kaibi was bad. For the price you might as well just go to a regular Korean restaurant and get a little more food. Service was very nice though and informative. Restaurant suffers from lack of creativity, and just plain bad food when it comes to Korean.
(2)Aggie S.
My girlfriend and I enjoyed the food. The beef dishes were awesome. I waiter was very helpful and our drinks were nice and strong!
(4)Mark A.
So this was my first time I ever had Bi Bim Bap - and it was really good. Most importantly for my overall visit everything was also way fun to say! I almost ordered the Bulgogi, because I just wanted to say that too. So I've heard of Korean BBQ, and this place didn't have it. I wasn't disappointed though. I started with Miyuk soup and that was good. Basically a wonton soup with some sesame and seaweed flavor that I thought was really good. The wontons you could tell were prepared artfully and meticulously. It want' just mushed up stuff on the inside - you can taste the different textures and flavors of all the ingredients. that's gotta be hard to do after its been soaking in hot broth even after a couple of minutes. Bi Bim Bap (still fun to say) was tasty. I had it with brown rice and I can probably say that it is probably the only way to get it. I'm half Chinese and so I grew up with the Chinese version of this type of food - this was probably just a really prettied up version with quality ingredients. I mean, that's what these places are about I guess. Some dishes that native Koreans probably grew up eating and don't really consider anything special or out of the ordinary - this place with its ambiance and location can attract non-Koreans to try basic Korean dishes done with a little more flair, quality preparation and ingredients. I get that. It's cool. That's good business if you can charge $13 for a bowl of rice and veggies! I must not be a foodie anymore, because as good as the experience was, I don't know if I'll go back. I'll definitely be looking to try more Korean though. Would definitely recommend to friends or for a date. Service was excellent and I like the atmosphere. Definitely go...once, then try another Korean place! I'm now down with Korean Kuisine...let me know and I'll meet up!
(4)Aesha W.
I wasn't quite sure how to rate this, so I decided to just give it a middle rating. I found this place after breakfast at Ann Sather next door, and decided to give it a try; I'd never had Korean food, and thought I should try something new (instead of just saying I don't like it, which I do often enough). I realize they may not be traditional Korean, but I think I'm just not a Korean food sort of person. I went with a friend and he loved it, and would like to go back, but it just wasn't a cuisine I think I'm a fan of. I will say that what they do they do quite well. It was a bit expensive, in my opinion. One side note - we were in there at kind of twilight hours, and it was extremely dark. I don't know if they turned up the lights after we left or not, but even where we were sitting - which was one table away from the large front windows - it was a bit dim; I can't believe those in the back of the restaurant could see past their nose.
(3)Nancy C.
This is the type of Korean place you can bring non-Koreans to and get a somewhat decent Korean food experience at. I wouldn't say it's the best Korean in the city by any means. However, the ambience is nice: dim-lights, cozy, relaxed. And the service is 100x better than what you'd get at a Korean place in k-town. If you're going to eat here, make sure to get a Korean dish. None of this Mongolian beef, etc nonsense. I'd say this place is better for small groups and dates rather than large groups of friends. Also, street parking is pretty easy to find from my experience so feel free to drive up.
(4)Athena C.
Oh Jin Ju...why are you so good....so so good... My favorites are the dol sot bi bim bap and the kalbi chim. There is another sashimi bi bim bap on the specials in the warmer seasons which I really like too...but I'm not sure if that's what they call it... The appetizers are good too...the panchun (??) korean pancakes... The con to this place for us would be that it is really dark and loud. It's a pretty small place so it can get loud when it is packed. Also, unlike most korean restaurants, there are only 3-4 side dishes...I love going to the traditional places and get like 12 side dishes...what can I say...I'm greedy... But despite everything...I still love Jin Ju...oh Jin Ju...why are you so good...so so good...
(5)Susana D.
Great on a winter night when dining companion is trying to fend off a cold: carry-out yook gae jang (spicy beef broth soup), kim bap seaweed rolls with whooo-haaaa! wasabi mustard, pajun onion pancakes with a scallion-soy sauce, and pan jan (pickled eggplant and onion; kim chee; and sesame broccoli). And the bright gold pickled radishes are a delectable nibble. Can't wait to go back.
(5)J D.
i love me some korean food but sometimes i just don't feel like grilling it myself and smelling of oil the entire night. that's where Jin Ju comes in. The interior is warm with a brasserie feel, great place to start the night off or have a candle-lit dinner for two. They have a great cocktail list with several soju based martinis; all $8 and delicious, get the poe doe (white grape juice with soju). It's always moderately busy but reservations don't seem to be necessary. Cute bartender, very knowledgeable waiters, what more could you ask for? THE FOOD! the food is amazing, authentic but presented in a way that is nonthreatening to diners unfamiliar with korean food. The kimchee pajun is a don't miss as are the kalbi, dolsot bibimbap (ask for extra red gojuchang), and dak chim. The banchan are the only lacking aspect and they only give you a tiny bit of kimchee but don't be afraid to ask for more. More expensive (around $13 for an entree) than I'm used to for ethnic food but eating in vietnamese town and korean dives will do that to you. definitely worth it, go, go now!
(5)Robert B.
Great food, great service, amazing cocktails. Who could ask for anything more? You MUST try the Daeji Kalbi (spelling?). Little riblet appetizers. Out of this world.
(5)Megan C.
I tried my first Bi Bim Bap last night, and it won't be my last. It was delicious, as were the dumplings and soju. Our waiter was helpful and answered all our questions. I'll be back!
(4)John D.
Friendly staff and delicious food. This place is far more accessible than your many Korean joints. Also, more polished with more sophisticated presentation. The staff is patient and is happy to answer questions.
(4)Norman C.
This place rocks! My wife had been craving Korean food so we tried Jin Ju last night. The food was incredible. If you like Korean food but don't want to BBQ it yourself this the place for you. We started with the scallion pancakes and kim chee dumplings both of which were great, not too spicy. I had the chop chae which is glass noodles, vegetables and beef while my wife had the bi bim bop which is a hot, stone bowl of rice, vegetables, beef and you mix it with a chili paste. Food was great , service was great and ambiance was great. Highly recommend.
(5)daynia S.
Good food and serivce. The martini's are yummy.
(4)John W.
Yummy, Yummy, The Bok Bulgogi is off the hook. The first time I ate here everything I ordered happened to be fried and all kind of tasted the same. I finally gave in another chance and ordered the Dak Bulgogi and I will never order anything else because there's no way it would be as good as this. Nice and spicy, the way I like it. Pretty good atmosphere and they apparently have a thing for Martinis. GET THE WINGS APPETIZER!!! DON"T SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE! GET YOUR OWN! I will miss Cousin's which was here before Jin Ju but at least it wasn't replaced with another sushi bar so it's a win win for everyone...except the people who liked Cousin's.
(4)Jon J.
Give me a break, Jin Ju. I've been here 3 times, and every time we walked in, got a snotty "do you have a reservation?" from the hostess - despite the place not being crowded at all. Add to that small portions and high prices, and you won't find me coming back. The food is actually pretty good - but you can find better at any of the more authentic Korean restaurants in the city. There's a reason you only see gringoes in here - those who know better are eating elsewhere. I think that Jin Ju imagines itself as a Korean version of Japonais or Sushi Samba Rio - except it doesn't have the "scene" cache to go along with it. Instead it's just a pretentious spot in an otherwise unpretentious neighborhood. Check it out if you're really afraid of trying Korean food and want a sanitized experience with it, along with a premium price and snotty attitude.
(2)Liza F.
this place is fantastic, good in a group and great for a date, dark and vibey without being pretentious. it's a neighborhood kind of place but with an attitude. i love the exposed brick walls, and the mellow but attentive service. it's modern Korean food - with a nod to the traditional. you can enjoy this place even if you hate kim chee. things i love: dak bulgogi - spicy chicken in a red pepper sauce bi bim bop - it cooks in it's own dish right there on the table! soju cocktails - a better more delicious and smooth version of vodka
(4)Nicole V.
Two words, Pear Martini! It was pure heaven after a long day of work. I went to Jin Ju with a friend for dinner on a Thursday night and it was definitely a positive experience. The ambiance is relaxing and the staff is very friendly. We started off with martinis and a couple of appetizers. Our waiter made recommendations at our request and was extremely helpful. My entree was the Bok Bulgogi and it was delicious! I will definitely be going back. Just make sure to bring your checkbook, between dinner and drinks the bill will be around $40 per person.
(4)Arjun C.
I am big fan of Korean food and hand't been to Jin Ju in many years. Here's the rundown: the owners basically figured out that people like korean food, but that it needed a semi-market update. The atmosphere is excellent, the waitstaff friendly, and the conceptualization of the food is pretty much always on the mark. We enjoyed virtually every appetizer that we had, (chicken wings and pork kalbi spareribs were particular favorites). The entree (Dak Boolgogi) had a fine sauce but didn't rise past the level of a $7-$8 entree to be found in a Thai restuarant (it was priced in the $14 to $15 range). By no means bad though. I loved the soju drinks. The alcohol cuts the spiciness of the entrees perfectly.
(4)Kelly Z.
It's better than the real Korean food! I happened to visit Korea many years back and boy how awful was their food. What Jinju does better is to recognize that their traditional cuisine lacks flavor and is not afraid to enhance with sauces. I ordered Bulgogi and strongly recommend it. The beef is tender, fresh, thinly sliced and lightly flavored with soy sauce, onion and spices. Food here comes in small proportions so you will have room for some scallion pancakes (another must try). For drinks, I tried Kiki Lychee, a cocktail made from a Korean "vodka" but with only half the alcohol content. In the beginning, it tastes a little bitter. Allow the lychee to settle in a bit it'll be really fruity but not too sweet. It is still strong for me though but I'll put it on my alcohol list. :)
(5)jenn m.
i love me some korean food! this place was right up my alley! the ambiance of the room was very sultry. we had pleeeenty of the soju cocktails (i was hurting the next day!) so yummy. i enjoyed the asian pear one, a few times over! we ordered some apps which were tasty and i ordered bulgogi for my entree. YUM! i really am looking forward to a return trip to this place.
(4)David L.
My boyfriend and I have taken many, many folks to Jin Ju over the past several years, and, presuming that they all told me the truth, they all really liked it. I'm not ashamed to admit that, likely as the result of my sheltered upbringing in the US, I prefer Americanized versions of every cuisine that I've tried. Italian -- c'mon, don't we all prefer really heavy, bad-for-us American pizzas to those authentic flatbread-based things with some tomato slices and a pinch of oregano? Chinese -- When you order a chicken dish at PF Changs, aren't you secretly happy that this Americanized version leaves the chicken's foot in the kitchen where it belongs? Korean is no different for me. I don't know if I've even had authentic Korean food. I thought that Jin Ju was authentic, but some of the reviews suggested otherwise. I guess that's why I like it so much! So, if you're willing to come out of the closet as a culinary heathen, then I think you should give Jin Ju's allegedly less-than-authentic food a shot. The Dak Bulgogi is the can't-go-wrong dish for the inexperienced diner. Try all of the Soju-tinis. As far as I can tell, Soju is the hangover-free alcohol that I've been searching for my entire life, and the vegetable tempura appetizer is probably the best that I've had anywhere. **Special tip** Jin Ju apparently decided to take the tempura app off of the menu on the weekends, much to my dismay. Honestly, I won't even touch the place on weekends now -- the tempura is THAT good. The folks there told me that only one woman knows the secret to making their tempura, and I guess that she doesn't work weekends. I really hope that this fix this problem sometime soon.
(4)Marisa F.
I know nothing about Korean food, but this place is great. There are two vegetarian menu options and a couple seafood options. But it's a small menu so that is plenty. Reasonable menu, most dishes are $11-17. The service was wonderful and the atmosphere was also very nice. I like dark restaurants. There is an awesome back room for small parties which i would consider using...BUT (here it comes) Through the whole meal my eyes were burning. My boyfriend said it was possibly becasue of the use of sesame oil which smokes when it cooks. Then, when we left, we stopped at Marty's for a drink and I realized that we both REEKED. It was like you've been in a smoky, greasy chinese restaurant kitchen or something. I had to wash my hair (bummer :)) and the rest of my clothes and my jacket still smells. not sure if it was just this one night, but i really don't think i'd go back there even though i loved the food.
(3)Blake W.
We've walked by this place a couple of times and always wanted to stop for dinner. We finally did this week and I am very happy we did. We started at the Bar for some drinks. I had their house Sauvignon Blanc, Mak -- Avoid this. My Fianc had the Pear Martini, she liked it a lot, I however didn't care for the sweetness.... Before our Apps came out however we got a few little tasters from the chicken which was a really nice way to taste some different flavors. For Appetizers we order Kim Chee Mandoo and the Beef Ribs (forgot the name). The Mandoo wasn't any thing fantastic but the little rib meat was great. We then had the Crab Salad to share which was mediocre at best. I wish I could tell you the names of what we had for dinner I think mine was called Bok Bulgogi (i'm just copying and Pasting from Andrea W's review) and Amanda had something that was served in a big scalding hot bowl with an egg. I loved, loved, loved mine. I ordered it extra spicy and it was spot on. If you love spicy and can handle the heat I would recommend this route. Amanda seemed to really like her but I didn't waste any time sampling hers, I was too happy with mine. I almost forgot to mention the Cucumber Martini was awesome. I expected to taste more alcohol since it was only cucumber infused but It was smooth, crisp and refreshing. I could have drank those all night has I been allow ;) The only really disappointment was their dessert offerings. From what the waiter told us it was only a few different flavors of ice cream.
(4)Jason C.
Korean food for yuppies who need their hands held with adjusting to a food that they have nil experience with. I brought my father who's Korean here and he said some dishes were overwhelmingly spicy to the extent that he couldn't eat it. The owner claimed that it as being a method unique to Jin Ju....whatever. The place is simply a rip for the clueless Korean food virgins.
(1)Justin R.
I haven't had a lot of Korean food and Jin Ju was amazing! We started off with the Daeji Kalbi (yummy spare ribs) & Dak Gan Jang (super yummy chicken wings). For my entree I had Bulgogi, which seemed like a small portion but I left stuffed for sure! My favorite was the soju martinis. I had the cucumber, ginger and peach. The cucumber was very refreshing, the ginger was on par with what I expected and the peach was surprisingly mellow. Usually a peach martini would be super sweet, but this was a very well balanced drink that I could have several of in one sitting.
(5)Nancy F.
Oh Jin Ju... i've bookmarked you to try for over 3 months and finally found the opportunity to satisfy my cravings tonight... after what has been a tremendously long work of week, i wanted someplace relaxing to wine and dine well. in reading other yelp reviews, i knew we were paying a small premium to have someone do the kbbq for you but as my bf hates having to pay to cook for his own food, jin ju seemed like the perfect place. strolled in right before 6 to find the place completely to ourselves (guess we beat rush hour as we were able to find street parking right in front). quick scan of the drink menu and found the winner: kiki lychee martini! 5 minutes later, my martini came filled to the brim and the server amazingly did not spill a drop (they must practice this or something) with a sweet lychee in the middle. the drink was good and definitely hit the spot. i saved the lychee for the very end. sweet endings make me happy lately. but onto the meatier portion of the meal: food. we ordered the battered chicken wings as the appetizer and jab chae and kalbi for entrees. chicken wings were quite good. the wings are more like the mini drumstick part of a chicken wing and they came with a side of pickled radish diced into cubes. wings were crispy with a slightly spicy sauce which went well with the pickled radish and mi martini. yum. i was really excited for the main entrees that were to follow. however, sadly, that is also where disappointment came about. the jabchae entree is relatively small and not that unique... yes, i know it's a fancy place but you can spare a few more noodles... i'm not even asking for more meat, just a bit more noodles or at least make the jabchae better than what i can get elsewhere for half the price. it came with the traditional thinly sliced carrots, onions, mushrooms, minced beef and also a few thick cuts of sesame grilled beef on top (that was a nice touch.. but still i want more noodles). BF's kalbi was also disappointing - it came on top of a salad, which is definitely a twist to eating the kalbi with lettuce wrapped around it in the traditional kbbq places. however, the kalbi was missing the essence of kalbi... where is the taste of freshly grilled ribs? the kalbi is served with meat off the bone and sliced for ease of eating. however, it tasted just like it had been stir-fried and not actually grilled. we were quite disappointed especially reading the reviews about it. also the panchan dishes are lacking - you get some kimchee, more pickled radish, some sesame broccoli (i ate it just cuz i wanted some more veggies but it had no taste) and potato salad (this was actually quite good as it includes granny smith apples for a slight sour punch). but thats it... 4 dishes. and this is why i can only give it 3 stars. its awesome that you can have a great drink here but the actual food may be a hit or a miss. yes, the service is excellent compared to what you get at korean bbq places and it is a very soothing atmosphere but until they spice up the menu, theres not enough here to make me venture back.
(3)Michael H.
Great atmosphere and pretty authentic Korean food. I lived in Seoul for four years and was pretty impressed with the food and service at Jin Ju. The food is basic food you'd find in a Korean bun-shik, but the quality is good and the presentation is excellent. Nice place for dinner with friends or a date. BTW - native Koreans eat the dol sot bibim bap with a spoon, not chopsticks.
(5)Larry G.
Starving and facing a three-hour wait for a table at Hopleaf on Saturday night, we pivoted away from frites and Belgian beer and rumbled half a block north to JinJu. This was my first experience with Korean food in a restaurant. When "Korean" was mentioned as a back-up for Hopleaf, I imagined the dive Korean BBQ places that were very common back in Manhattan and that seem to pop up occasionally in Chicago. JinJu couldn't be farther from a dive. Classy ambience and decor, classy cocktails, classy prices, and very well done Korean dishes. Being a complete novice, I gravitated toward the familiar -- barbecued meat and scallion pancakes. I enjoyed it very much, although the scallion pancakes was more onion than dough (I prefer the doughy fried ones you get from a fast-food joint but hey, I would have eaten anything at that point). They had a couple Korean beers on tap and some cocktails made with a native Korean liquor -- which seemed to be more like malt liquor than vodka, not a particularly stiff drink. Service was very attentive and fast. Restaurant was loud. Crowd was older and trendy. Although I still want to get back up to Hopleaf, I will be trying Korean again after this good first experience -- everything on the menu looked (and smelled) great.
(4)Jon C.
I've never had a bad experience here. The food is always great and the drinks are always fast and made just right. I prefer to go here during the week because there is less of a crowd compared to weekends which are a little loud.
(5)Michael L.
Jin Ju reminds me about the true pleasure of eating--pure good taste. And the atmosphere is great--brick wall in one room, burgundy-colored walls in the quieter, more private, back room, where you hear cool, Buddha-bar-type music-(Check out Buddha bar music on Amazon or wherever). Prices not cheap but not expensive either. Well worth it. Get there early on the weekends and there's no waiting.
(5)RM P.
My wife and I love this place. The cuisine is basically yuppified Korean food. We are are big fan of the pajun (Korean pancakes) appetizer and their mixed drink menu. Also, the prices are reasonable and the service is good. We will be back.
(5)Al I.
As others have said, trendy and delicious. Service was good, drinks were good, and the food was great. I don't know if it's authentic; I don't know much about Korean food. But my wife and I loved the food and will definitely return.
(4)Allyson C.
I had a great dinner at Jin Ju last weekend! We actually intended to have dinner at Hopleaf but (not surprisingly) it was impossible to get a table for 9 on a Friday evening there. My friend suggested we walk across the street to Jin Ju and I'm so glad we did. I'd never tried Korean food before (so sad) and I absolutely loved it. In fact I liked everything about Jin Ju...the loungy atmosphere, our adorable waiter, the delicious food, the quickly refilled drinks, and the inexpensive bill! We had Pajun, Mandoo (my favorite!) and Kim Bap for apps and my friend and I swapped our two entrees of Bulgogi (the best!) and Chap Chae. I honestly loved each thing I tried and can't wait to go back and try other things on the menu.
(4)Chris m.
This place is always excellent. My friend from college is Korean and he and I have been to probably all the more basic (mom and pop, plus Woo Lae Oak in its day, etc.) Korean spots through the years. It's easy to say this is a "gentrified" (whatever that means) version of the basic Korean restaurant, but actually it's the best! My favorite Korean dish has always been Chap Chae (sp?) and they do a stellar version, with Chicken as I don't eat beef. I also love Bi Bim Bop (sp?) and theirs is great, complete with the sizzling rice in the hot pot tossed tableside. The spicy sweet sauce is right on and they'll add or delete any ingredients from this dish. The Mandoo(sp?) is excellent as are the little side dishes that come with, including kimchee which is hot obviously but not obnoxiously so. Just right. Along with a shredded radishy kinda dish with similar sauce. All amazing. The service has the Korean charm and friendliness (ie they laugh at my jokes). The ginger ice cream was great...really great! Like super good vanilla with ginger, and bits throughout! I wish it were nearer, but then I might gain 10 pounds.
(5)Mike G.
Incredible food and service. Prices are completely reasonable - even the liquor. One of my faves in Chicago.
(5)Nelson S.
I was so weirded out by this place. This is the first place that I've ever been to that was not in a Asian supermarket or strip mall that was trendy Not that it was bad, just not use to it. JinJu, I'm pretty sure means Pearl, you can pick up cues from their white orb lighting. I don't think this place is best for groups. I came here with 4 other friends and it took a while to be seated and we were a little cramped at our table made for 4. The food was good. I ordered the Kim Chee Chi Gae, I thought it was a little too salty but good. My friends ordered other items and all enjoyed what they had. The service was good, but we were waiting quite a while for our food to come out. Truthfully, I would pick a supermarket/strip mall joint first but this was a good change of pace and would come back one day.
(3)Tiffany S.
I was expecting overpriced korean food for white people. Why did I go here? I was STARVING and CRAVING korean food and just happened to drive by... I know... recipe for meal disaster, right? The result? Overpriced for sure, but better tasting (cuz I was starving? maybe.) than I expected. Friendly staff (waiter, host, bartender...), LOVE the pajeon. Like the loungy atmosphere. Good drinks.
(3)Nastassia J.
I've avoided this place for a while, I don't know why, but I just thought, an expensive Korean resturant just could not be good. I'll admit it, I was dead wrong. The food was oh so good. It tasted fresh and like home made receipes. Service was helpful and friendly and the atmosphere was very nice. It got super busy later at night, and I suggest a reservation for the weekend.
(4)Adam B.
They fitted us in at extremely short notice on a Saturday night. Food was pretty good, although Panjun a little salty. Dolmi delicious and Bip Bim Bap a reliable stomach filler. Saketimi's are a nicely balanced combo of soju and sake. Go across the street to Simon's for a night cap afterwards.
(4)Melissa B.
Just ate at Jin Ju last night and it was delicious! The service was super quick, it was well priced and the Korean food was very flavorful. They also had wine specials which was great! I will definitely be back.
(4)Stephenie S.
I've eaten here about 6 ot 7 times. I always try to order something new but, I can't. I just love their Bi Bim Bop
(4)Quantas G.
Wow! I like this place! The food, the service, the location...I decided to go with my fail-safe satisfaction method of ordering multiple appetizers (tapas-style) instead of staking my claim on one entree. I dined on succulent and delicious chicken wing lollipops, crab and cucumber salad, and steamed dumplings (shoulda got fried) with a decadent sesame soy dipping sauce. The plating was appealing. And the location is perfect for Andersonville people watching through their large panoramic windows. I definitely want to go back to try some of the cocktails on the menu and dig into more of the tasty vittles.
(4)Michelle R.
My 15 friends and I went here last nigt for a birthday and were all completely blown away. I don't know how anyone can give this less than 5 stars - it was the most delicious food any of us have had. The bulgogi was to die for, and the mandoo was awesome as well. Everyone got different dishes and there were not any complaints around the table. I also got an Asian Pear Sojutini which was great - very light. The staff was very friendly and attentive and were very accommodating of our large party. Overall a great experience and a restaurant that all of us will be visiting again very soon.
(5)Skazoo M.
Jin Ju is mainly about the atmosphere they're (very successfully) creating - hip, romantic and sophisticated without being pretentious or uptight. The tables are close together but I didn't feel crowded (although I think it helped that the couple at the next table didn't talk much during dinner, they were either having a really bad date or enjoyed eavesdropping on our conversation). If you go here, plan to go all out - bring a date, get dressed up, drink an $8 martini, share an appetizer, etc. A lot of people are ordering the Bi Bim Bop but there are other good, authentic, Korean dishes on the menu as well so feel free to experiment. I don't recall desserts so maybe skip that. Is this some of the best Korean food in Chicago? Definitely not! But its pretty good food in a really good atmosphere. For good Korean food in a very different, but also very good, place, try San Soo Gap San, north of Lincoln Square.
(4)Jenny N.
I went here for the first time with my cousin and his wife and I was very skeptical about trying Korean food anywhere but a cheap takeout place. I was very impressed firstly by the overall decor, very chic. Also, the drinks were fantastic. I tried the E.O. which is a cucumber martini and I'd probably go back just to get this drink. We had the daily special appetizer which was the Korean take on steak tartare, which was fantastic. I also had a squid dish as my entree (whose name I will butcher, so I won't even try), and this too was great. Overall, great atmosphere and good food and drinks. A little on the pricey side maybe. Has changed my outlook on Korean food, would definitely go again.
(4)Toshi B.
Korean food in Andersonville? I was very skeptical as a Korean food purist...but overall, I am happy to say that I was pleasently surprised. Not much complimentary banchan and the kimchi was nasty but the service was excellent, the setting was fun, and the appetizers/main dishes were very good. The fried chicken wings w/ Korean spicy sauce were excellent (ordered 2 of them!) and the special of the day kalbi-jim was great (it takes hours and hours of prep for that dish). The food is a little on the sweet side than normal but it may have been made a little more Americanized but overall, very good. Would go back for sure.
(4)Matt J.
One of my favorite resturants to visit in Andersonville, I have been multiple times and will continue to visit. Service is excellent, food/drinks are tasty/ not too spicy. The ginger ice cream and Bulgogi are two of my favorites. I'm a big fan of the atmosphere as well.
(5)Michael M.
Okay WOW!!! I have been going here for years and just finally got the soup and really wondering why I waited so long. I really love this place!!
(5)James C.
This place is hard to review as a Korean. It's obviously this place is catered to non Koreans and they do a great job of doing that. I've actually not had their food but I hear from fellow Koreans that have tried it that it's actually pretty decent but not a good representation of Korean food. The ambiance is very trendy - dark and sexy. I've tried their fried dumplings and deep fried kim bop (rolls). They were actually decent. As for the price... which is the sole reason I do not dine here at all, is ridiculously high. $15 for a dor sot bibimbap? Get out of here. They also have a soju martini list. They make all these crazy martinis with soju - the korean staple liquor. Don't drink too many of these tho... you'll have a massive headache. This place is good for what it is. If you want authentic Korean food, do not come here. If you want a nice romantic dinner and want Korean at the same time, give this place a try.
(3)Erika G.
Excellent food - and not all that expensive (entrees are $13-18), love the drinks, esp. the Asian Pear with Korean "Soju" (type of vodka) in it. Their party room in back is pretty special too - very sexy low light, minimal but lush. The waitstaff are all exquisitely handsome and attentive!
(4)Marissa G.
I chose this place for my birthday dinner. Myself and 3 of my friends went out 2 vegetarians/3 omnivores. To say the least everyone really enjoyed their meals. We started with the veggie panchan. The veggies ordered the fried vegetables, and the other the chap chae without the meat. I ordered the dolsut bibimbap, my other meat-eating friends the regular bibimbap and the beef chap chae. The dolsut bibimbap was fantastic, sizzling in the bowl and making the rice all crispy and delicious. MMMMM. Not gonna lie, I ate from my friend's plates too. The fried sesame leaves were so yummy, and the beef chap chae was flavorful and the noodles were perfect and chewy. My friends were initially put off by my K-birthday and were debating on eating something before going so they wouldn't starve, but they were impressed and really enjoyed their food. I too was very happy. A great bday dinner, and cannot wait to go again!
(5)Melinda C.
Upscale Korean. As in, in exchange for higher prices, you get better ambiance. It's totally up to you. The food was good - bulgogi was tender and well flavored, and my sojutini was awesome. Who knew? It was definitely dark inside but service was good and I liked the lively crowd.
(4)Michael C.
I love this place! We go almost weekly. I have probably tried everything on the menu, appetizers, entrees, martinis. Favorite are the asian pear martini, the ginger martini, the kim bap, steamed mandoo, bulgogi (sp?) All excellent. Randa (bartender), Ki Tae (server) and Peter (owner) are super friendly. (OK, you know I go there a lot if I know how to spell their names.)
(5)Michael G.
Great atmosphere, great service, tasty martinis. I had the dak bolgogi and it was excellent. Perfect spicy dish. Only downfall was that the rice was a bit sticky like it had been sitting under a lamp for a while. Otherwise everything was great! Check out the rear bar. The place is much bigger than it seems.
(4)Ryan P.
I like Jin Ju. I have come many times since their opening with a variety of friends and we always have a good time. I like the vibe inside and always have a tasty meal.
(4)Kari H.
This is a favorite for husband and me. I've yet to try anything that I didn't like. They have a spicy chicken dish that my husband has every time we're there and then talks about for the next few days. I've tried almost everything else on the menu. If you're looking for great Korean but don't want to do bbq check this place out.
(5)Robert T.
Good quality food - expect to pay a little more. Great Bulgogi and Kim Che. Tried a new alcohol -Soju. It's like Vodka but much smoother. Try the cucumber Sojutini. Friendly wait staff as well.
(4)Nikki L.
I give it 4 stars for service but the food was just alright. My Kalbi was so tough I couldn't chew it and ended up spitting half if it out. Luckily, our server was very generous and accommodating asking if I would like anything else instead. Since I pretty much filled up on the little appetizers I said no and he took it off the bill. When I think Korean food, I pretty y much only think of Kalbi. I figure if the Kalbi is good, everything else should be. It was actually the opposite here, the Kalbi wasn't great but the Bulgogi was wonderful! I will definitely be back to try the martini's everyone's talking about and try other stuff. If it weren't for the great service, I don't know if I'd give this place another shot!
(3)Dan M.
This place is a lot of fun. Great food, and good service. Definitely an enjoybale place in Andersonville.
(4)ali a.
After hearing so much about this place, I finally went this weekend with a few of my friends. I thought it was fantastic! I know it might not be the best if you go to authentic Korean food, but I thought it was good. I once went to another Korean restaurant in which they cook in front of you. Although I liked it, Jin Ju is a better spot for me. The atmosphere is authentic and the service is great. I would definitely recommend taking a trip to try it out.
(4)A S.
I know this sounds weird but if you're going to go the hip Korean food route, i wanted it to be hipper. The food was ok, not a huge selection and there is definitely better. But the restaurant felt like a bar with a loft overlooking it. It was too "metally," too open, not dark enough, etc. It just didn't hit the mark on the food or the atmosphere, and I was willing to give up a little on the food to like it...but I didn't really. On the plus side, I took my grandmother for her first taste of Korean food and she loved it. So I guess it's a good entree into that world for the hesitant.
(3)courtney p.
Wow, how can I express my love for Jin Ju? I can't. I love this place too much! Jin Ju has become a place my boyfriend and I have dinner about once a month (we're grad students, it's a little expensive), and we always have the same waiter. He is awesome. Even if the food sucked we'd still come back because of how great he is, luckily the food is wonderful.
(5)Liza K.
Best place in the area. Intimate setting. Love the appetizers, Mongolian beef, and all the sides that come with the entrees.
(5)Diego T.
great food great place trendy & chic nice music great for a first date really good martinis they go well with the food order some appetizers, if you can call it that not cheap but not super pricey you can have your party there great place if you want to impress someone food is good, did i say that ?
(4)Gerardo A.
First, I would like to say that the owners, hosts, and wait staff were wonderfully nice. We chose this establishment, because Korean food is generally not made with any nuts, which is what I am allergic to. We had the pajun (spelling?), which is a pancake filled with green onions and other vegetables. We had it topped with seafood. This was amazing, however too greasy. The Korean chicken wings were fantastic! Then, the main course; a hearty chicken stew that was divine ... Simply delicious Korean comfort food! For dessert, we had the ginger and green tea ice creams ... Very flavorful!
(5)Lulis W.
Have gone here twice and LOVE the salad with the fried mushroom. I don't really care for bim bap so I always have ordered the chicken or a fish dish. The seasoning sides that come with dinner really make the dishes. I find the waitstaff friendly and the drinks not overpriced. Highly recommend.
(5)Chris S.
Honestly, this place is pretty expensive considering what you get. I thought that the food was just OK partially because of what I ended up paying for it. I feel like there are some significantly cheaper korean restaurants that are just as good in the city
(3)Jennifer N.
Everything here is amazing...if you go, you MUST, I repeat MUST, try the pajun scallion pancake appetizer. You can even get it topped with fresh seafood for the more adventurous...and the mandoo appetizer (go with fried over steamed) is also stellar. I've had most of the entrees, and they have always happily satisfied me. I may be little but I sure can eat, and the portions are perfect--not huge (I never have enough left to scrape into a to-go container), but you'll be stuffed by the end. All dinners come with side dishes to be shared by the table--and the kim chee rocks! The drinks to me are just okay--I've actually been disappointed by some of their yummy sounding martinis and sojutiinis...but WTF, the food is why I'm there anyway!
(5)Yujin A.
Wow, I am surprised to see it has a really good rating(4.5) on Yelp. Don't get me wrong,,, it's not a bad place. This place, however, has more focus on the ambiance than on the food. If you really want to try Korean food, this is NOT the place to go.I'd say go to Solga or San Su Gab San. Jin Ju doesn't do the charcoal/gas BBQ on your table thing. I can kind of see why though- a smoky BBQ restaurant wouldn't go with their sophisticated, yuppie atmosphere. Although it has a really nice ambiance and would be a perfect place for a date night (It has good martinis and great fusion martinis made of Soju and Sake), food here is overpriced. Food here is decent, but like Esther A. said, I just didn't feel it. I do not want to discourage you from trying this place because my (American) friends who told me about it absolutely loved it. You never know, you might love it too!
(3)M A.
This is easily the best Korean Barbecue I've had on the North side. The Bulgogi is simply amazing... It has a wonderful flavor with subtle hints of spices and a fantastic texture. I dragged a few friends there and they all left happy!
(5)Dave A.
This place relies on its atmosphere and trendy/hip attitude for its success and not its food or drinks... and it obviously works based on the reviews here. Everything looks nice in here and they hire american born asians for the waitstaff. Food was average and very definitely overpriced. Probably a good place to take a date, but not for a meal w/ friends.
(3)J Z.
Decent taste of food, however over priced for portion size. Atmosphere nice, little too dark for my taste.
(3)Marissa D.
what to say...what to say. this was an absolutely perfect meal, from start to finish. a great way to begin our trek into korean food...you need something a little americanized to help pave the way. george and i both had soju cocktails (cucumber and pear) which were great. my pear wasn't too sweet at all. then we had the scallion pancake and a fantastic raw beef special appetizer - both which i devoured...which is rare for an anti-appetizer person like myself. for our entree i got the bulgogi, and george got the bi bim bap in the hot stone bowl. completely delicious - bulgogi was so yummy and was served with vegetables in the bowl which made it even better. the icing on the cake was our server - he was truly excellent. i've been craving that bulgogi since we went last week so yes...we cannot wait to go back!
(4)Pauline M.
I went here for a small business party with about 9 other people. The atmosphere was really trendy. Very dark and stark but still comfortable. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. We each got a different sojutini. I myself got the cucumber sojutini and it was so crisp! I drank it super slow because I wanted it to last forever! It was super strong too! More than one and I would have been so buzzed I wouldn't have tasted the awesome food. We got a great mix of food. Unfortunately I can't remember the names. :( Sorry! The best tasting dish of the whole night was one of the appetizers I had which looked like a sushi roll and was vegetarian. It super tasty. The other dishes we had (a great mix of vegetarian and meat) were all good. I would recommend this place for sure IF you have the money. If not, San Soo Gab San is a great place for a group that is cheaper and more inclusive (plus has parking).
(4)Erin J.
Expensive Korean food in a very pretty place. And so, sooo good. A great place to go for a splurge. AND, try out a cocktail with the sweet potato vodka - very smooth!
(4)Dee W.
Try all the different flavored soju - the preferred alcohol. Jin Ju puts a modernized twist on traditional Korean food - try the te gim and the bbq pork spareribs. The interior is tastefully decorated in a minimalist way and focuses on the food - for the entree, try their spicy kim chee soup with or the bi bim bap, rice with all this good stuff - beef & vegies on top. Top it all off with their red bean ice cream
(4)Amy L.
Americanized place. Waiters are even white. Host and bartender were young looking and korean, I think. I'm used to authentic korean places that have older korean waiters and owners that have thick korean accents when they speak korean. Food was okay though. I got the kalbi and the hameulpajeon (seafood pancake). The seafood pancake is cheaper than san soo gab san and I think it tastes better than san soo but they give you less. It's like chunks of seafood, good stuff. Their sauce for it is spicier too. I ordered carry out and was hoping for some pan chan (little appetizers) with it and I did! I got some kimchee, the radish, and sesame broccoli. I ordered the kalbi too which came with kalbi chopped up, chopped up asian lettuce, green onions, and a peanutty sauce then rice. I had leftovers for about 2 meals more and it was about 30 bucks total. I went on a Sunday night so parking was easy since no need to put quarters in meters on Sunday. Only two tables were filled and a lady was at the bar. It's really dark inside so I guess it's romantic. Reason I give it a two is because I probably wouldn't go there too many times more. It was good but just a little pricey for me and I'm not a huge korean food fan anyway so when I eat korean food I would hope it's not that expensive and really good.
(2)aj l.
Pros: It's the only contemporary Korean restaurant I've ever heard of in the States. The interior design is sleek, well thought-out and executed. Their cocktail menu includes drinks you will not see anywhere else. I give them a lot of credit just for a good, clean concept. Cons: Food is a little bland and overly spicy. It's like they used red pepper to add flavor rather than really building any base of flavor. For Korean food especially, it seemed that some of their dishes lacked any real layering of flavors. Also, I was rather disappointed with their wine selection. And the martini I ordered was WEAK. Oh, and it is NOT Vietnamese at all.
(3)