(773) 334-6377
5203 N Clark St
(Foster Avenue)
Chicago,
IL
60640
41.9764
-87.6683
Neighborhoods: Uptown, Far North Side
Years in business
Established in 2003
Hours:
Sun-Tue 5pm-9:30pm
Wed-Thu 5pm-10pm
Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 1.24.11
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Quiet, Private Rooms, People Watching, Date Spot
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
Bar & Club Special Features:
Smoking Permitted:
At bar
What People Are Saying About Jin Ju
Featured Review
Valerie Moloney
Contributor
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…
Editor's Tips
- 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.
| ambiance | 100.0% positive |
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|---|---|---|
| dessert | 100.0% positive |
|
| drinks | 100.0% positive |
|
| food quality | 90.22000312805176% positive |
|
| menu variety | 100.0% positive |
|
| overall | 100.0% positive |
|
| service | 100.0% positive |
|
| value | 100.0% positive |
|
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
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
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!
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
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!
- Pros: Great food, good service, delicious cocktails
- Cons: Can get crowded and sometimes a touch too loud
The Details on Jin Ju
Place Categories:
- elaborate korean food
- great service
- great place
- warm wait staff
- great dak bulgogi
- polite server
- great atmosphere
- disappointing experience
- nice simple decor
- nice ambience
- very cool restaurant
- authentic exceptional dishes
- loved battered
- really like ginger icecream
- good spirits
- just as good drinks
- strongly recommend dak bul gogi
- recommend soju martini
- really good kimchi jigae
- incredible taste
- disappointing kim chee chigae
- not like korean restaurants
- great spicy chicken
- unique jin ju
- gem jinju

