03/18/09

Authentic Korean with a Chicago Flare

by treeman23

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

05/28/08

Amazing Food!

by mybffisstacey

yyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmm

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

• Pros: Everything!
• Cons: Nothing!

04/08/08

Jin Ju is a Pearl!

by chambanagrad

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

11/08/07

Fun, modern Korean food

by natsmacks

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

04/29/04

Sleek, sexy spot has Andersonville craving Korean.

by Contributor

The Scene
If Jin Ju is any indication, Korean is about to become the next hip cuisine. Exposed brick and crimson walls, soft globe lighting, and ambient music set a relaxed, urban-chic air. Servers are friendly and knowledgeable, taking care to explain the intricacies of Korean food to newbies.

The Food
Dig into delicious versions of Korean classics like barbecue spareribs, bi bim bop and bulgogi. Those spareribs are fiery and lip-smacking good, marinated in a spicy-sweet red pepper sauce; other scrumptious starters include steamed dumplings filled with kim chee (spicy pickled cabbage), seaweed roll with flavorful fish cake, and mild fried scallion pancake, all accompanied by zesty dipping sauces. Dol sut bi bim bap comes sizzling in a stone pot of rice with beef, spinach, carrots, and fried egg, all made hot with a spicy red pepper paste. Mellower, simpler bulgogi offers thinly sliced beef in soy sauce with onions, carrots and scallions.

• Pros: good Korean foodcomfortable atmospherefriendly service

07/17/03

Jin Ju is a treat

by tryan2

I first saw Jin Ju in CS, then on Check, Please. I can be a skeptic when it comes to ethnic cuisines but after several good reviews, I decided to make my way in. I was pleasantly surprised by their warm wait staff (who steered us through the menu), nice decor, and exceptional dishes. I usually have a glass of wine but tried one of their popular soju-tinis (soju is a Korean liquor much like vodka I believe) and it was excellent that I had one more. We ended our evening with tasty ginger ice cream (something new). All in all, I was VERY pleased and will find myself there again in good spirits.

• Pros: atmosphere, food, service
• Cons: none

05/11/03

Best Korean Restaurant in Chicago

by chasklee

Korean food is rich, tasteful, and elaborate. There are many places to go to in Chicago, but none can match the taste AND ambience AND service of JinJu. This place does justice to Korean cuisine. I strongly recommend the "Dak bul gogi" and the "Dol sot bi bim bap."

• Pros: Service, Ambience, Presentation

05/08/03

disappointed

by jendar

After my first disappointing experience at Jin Ju, I went back to give it another chance. My second time, however, left me just as disappointed as the first. The food is fairly authentic and the taste was bearable, however our server had much to learn about service. I just find it interesting that some of these foo foo places feel like they have the right to treat people poorly. Overall, the service made the food and the drinks taste worse than they actually were. I would not go back there again.

03/24/03

very cool restaurant

by james9

this place is great. the food, atmosphere, and service were wonderful. this was the first time i've tried korean food and was it good. the texture and taste of the steamed dumplings were incredible. i highly recommend them. i also recommend the soju martini's. i had the ginger one and it went perfect with my food.

01/14/03

Jinju is a pure gem to say the least...

by l_walter

I am not surprised that Jin Ju was voted best new restaurant. Ive been to many Korean restaurants (even to the more famed Woo Lae Oak) that don't compete. Jin Ju is unique and everything is of high quality from their mouth-watering drinks to tasty food to superb service. And the ambience wonderful. It's a fun/hip place to go with friends or family and experience great cuisine.

• Pros: good food/drinks, atmosphere, friendly service