Jin Ju

While the no-frills barbecues in Koreantown hold a rightful place in Chicago cuisine, locals needed a fancier spot to indulge in bulgogi--without walking out smelling like smoke. Here, DIY grills are booted in favor of an urban chic design. An oversized mirror mounted on an exposed brick wall reflects the diversity of the neighborhood: gay and straight couples on their date nights, sharing in their love of juicy spareribs and Dak Bulgogi, a house specialty of boneless chicken tossed in red pepper paste. Sides lean on the milder side--like the kimchee and Waldorf salad--perhaps to tame the…

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Parking:: Like most Chicago streets, Clark requires ticketed parking, payable at several machines along the strip. For two hours, youll shell out $4.25.
The Extras:: A mouth full of kimchee begs for a palate cleanser like the signature ginger ice cream, a mild and creamy finale.
Where to Sit:: Dont judge a storefront by its main dining room. Theres a whole other room to the left rear built for date nights and larger groups. With flickering candlelight, low banquette tables and sultry trip hop, the atmosphere is too cozy to leave for the noisier establishments along this stretch of Andersonville.

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User Reviews (19)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Simple decor which was pretty cool with the candles.” “fun, hip restaurant with great service (very impressed with our waiter's knowledge of Korean and his pronunciation even though he's obviously not Korean) but best of all the food is great!” “the food, atmosphere, and service were wonderful.” “Nice ambience” “It's a fun/hip place to go with friends or family and experience great cuisine.” “And the ambience wonderful.” “was looking forward to eating Korean food with great atmosphere.” “was pleasantly surprised by their warm wait staff (who steered us through the menu), nice decor, and exceptional dishes.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“We ended our evening with tasty ginger ice cream (something new).”
drinks	100.0% positive	“By the way, the drinks are just as good as we had heard too.” “Jin Ju is unique and everything is of high quality from their mouth-watering drinks to tasty food to superb service.”
food quality	90.22000312805176% positive	“The menu featured a wide variety of authentic dishes, but the prices were a little high.” “was looking forward to eating Korean food with great atmosphere.” “found Jin Ju to be a good common grond for someone not as into the more exotic aspects of korean food, or going to a smoky place with a menu that may be more difficult to explore without an insider.” “The food isn't bad, but it's not fantastic.” “Jin Ju is unique and everything is of high quality from their mouth-watering drinks to tasty food to superb service.” “I've grown up on Korean food so of course I love it but it's been hard to find a great place to go out and get Korean food.” “The food is fairly authentic and the taste was bearable, however our server had much to learn about service.” “This restaurant is sure to please with phenomenal dishes, spectacular sojutinis and martinis, impeccable service, and reliable, courteous management.” “Korean food is rich, tasteful, and elaborate.” “loved the chicken bulgoki and the battered and fried kim bop.” “was pleasantly surprised by their warm wait staff (who steered us through the menu), nice decor, and exceptional dishes.” “can't say I've had authentic Korean food before, but I really enjoyed my experience at Jin Ju.” “Excellent food, excellent staff!” “It's a fun/hip place to go with friends or family and experience great cuisine.” “grew up eating some Korean food, but as an adult I typically don't eat it mostly because I don't like the Korean restaurants out there.” “fun, hip restaurant with great service (very impressed with our waiter's knowledge of Korean and his pronunciation even though he's obviously not Korean) but best of all the food is great!” “The flavors are very authentic although some of the presentation is a little less authentic.” “the food, atmosphere, and service were wonderful.” “The food here is fantastic!” “the bbq beef is delicious u have to try it!” “would very much recommend the restaurant for anyone looking for a good meal.” “The bulgogi and dak bulgogi (spicy chicken) were great and even the kim chee chigae which can be disappointing at some places met the approval of everyone at our table (Korean and non-Korean).” “We ended our evening with tasty ginger ice cream (something new).”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“was pleasantly surprised by their warm wait staff (who steered us through the menu), nice decor, and exceptional dishes.” “found Jin Ju to be a good common grond for someone not as into the more exotic aspects of korean food, or going to a smoky place with a menu that may be more difficult to explore without an insider.” “The menu featured a wide variety of authentic dishes, but the prices were a little high.”
overall	100.0% positive	“found Jin Ju to be a good common grond for someone not as into the more exotic aspects of korean food, or going to a smoky place with a menu that may be more difficult to explore without an insider.” “I've grown up on Korean food so of course I love it but it's been hard to find a great place to go out and get Korean food.”
service	100.0% positive	“The staff was attentive, but not overly so.” “Jin Ju is unique and everything is of high quality from their mouth-watering drinks to tasty food to superb service.” “Excellent food, excellent staff!” “fun, hip restaurant with great service (very impressed with our waiter's knowledge of Korean and his pronunciation even though he's obviously not Korean) but best of all the food is great!” “Our server was polite, informative and speedy.” “The food is fairly authentic and the taste was bearable, however our server had much to learn about service.” “the food, atmosphere, and service were wonderful.” “This restaurant is sure to please with phenomenal dishes, spectacular sojutinis and martinis, impeccable service, and reliable, courteous management.” “was pleasantly surprised by their warm wait staff (who steered us through the menu), nice decor, and exceptional dishes.”
value	100.0% positive	“The menu featured a wide variety of authentic dishes, but the prices were a little high.”

05/02/10

Well executed, a nice find

by kikuchiyo at Citysearch

I am a lover of Korean food, however not quite as adventurous as some korean restaurants demand. I found Jin Ju to be a good common grond for someone not as into the more exotic aspects of korean food, or going to a smoky place with a menu that may be more difficult to explore without an insider.

Pros: well laid out and good menu for korean novices
Cons: a little dark

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03/18/09

Authentic Korean with a Chicago Flare

by treeman23 at Citysearch

Our server was polite, informative and speedy. The restaurant did not feel like a Korean restaurant, but the food was definitely SPOT ON! The menu featured a wide variety of authentic dishes, but the prices were a little high. If you don't mind paying the higher prices (my girlfriend and I certainly didn't) you'll be quite pleased. Next time we're in town we'll be revisiting this place!

Pros: Excellent service, authentic taste, great atmosphere
Cons: No neng myun (cold noodles), a bit pricey

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05/28/08

Amazing Food!

by mybffisstacey at Citysearch

yyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmm

the bbq beef is delicious u have to try it! thats all i get there! go there now!

Pros: Everything!
Cons: Nothing!

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04/08/08

Jin Ju is a Pearl!

by chambanagrad at Citysearch

The name Jin Ju translates to pearl in Korean and it translates to that as a restaurant too. I grew up eating some Korean food, but as an adult I typically don't eat it mostly because I don't like the Korean restaurants out there. Jin Ju, however, has a really young, hip, and very clean atmosphere without being too hipster. The flavors are very authentic although some of the presentation is a little less authentic. The kim-chi jigae is really good, as is the kalbi. I also really like their ginger icecream. I used to only eat green tea icecream, but Jin Ju has made me a ginger icecream convert. This is the only Korean restaurant that I would ever recommend to anybody.

Pros: Great, authentic food. Good ambience.
Cons: Parking

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11/08/07

Fun, modern Korean food

by natsmacks at Citysearch

The food here is fantastic! All of it is a modern spin on Korean staples. I loved the chicken bulgoki and the battered and fried kim bop... so delicious! It can get crowded and sometimes the music is a touch too loud and you end up feeling like you are dining in a night club but I always have a good time there!

Jin Ju

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What People Are Saying About Jin Ju

Valerie Moloney

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Editor's Tips

05/02/10

Well executed, a nice find

by kikuchiyo at Citysearch

03/18/09

Authentic Korean with a Chicago Flare

by treeman23 at Citysearch

05/28/08

Amazing Food!

by mybffisstacey at Citysearch

04/08/08

Jin Ju is a Pearl!

by chambanagrad at Citysearch

11/08/07

Fun, modern Korean food

by natsmacks at Citysearch

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