Modern Korean food well done. This restaurant is really dim and they have a full bar that serves amazing looking cocktails. I got the bibimbap and *surprise, surprise* it came with banchan and soybean soup. The banchans are pretty americanized. It consisted (tiny portions of) fermented kimchi, boiled broccoli, and lightly seasoned bean sprouts. The bibimbap itself is tasty. The veggies are all really fresh. Wish they could've put more meat though ;) Wouldn't mind some more bulgogi. Service is a little slow but i guess it's okay coz people who go here are usually looking for the ambience & vibe. read more

Jin Ju - Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here with some friends for dinner. It's one of those places that's pretty solid all around but doesn't have much of a wow factor. Definitely somewhere I would suggest going back to with friends if we're craving Korean food, but not somewhere I would immediately think about recommending to people who are interested in dining in the area. We were there maybe a week or two ago and I basically can't remember much of the experience at all. read more

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! read more

Jin Ju - Amazing beef tartare special - post mix by server. The presentation was gorgeous - pre-mix. - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Jin Ju - Jin Ju spicy beef soup - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Get this: Ginger Martini Chicken wings - Amaze-Balls! Seafood Bim Bop bowl with brown rice! Perfect in every way:) read more

Perfect spot for Korean food with nice people taking care of you. A party of 6, with three vegans, and plenty of options for all. Sojutinis, bulgogi, and scallion pancakes all highly recommended. Reasonable prices for a premium experience. read more

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!! read more

Jin Ju - The best Korean food in Chicago; hands down. - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall, food was great, but the service was lacking. My group made a reservation for 7:30 since it was all of our first times there and upon our prompt arrival, there was no one to greet us and guide us to our table. Along with this, our server took quite some time and flagging down to take our orders. We ordered the Regular Pajun to start, the Dol Sut (Stone Bowl) Bibimbap, Seafood Bibimbap, Yuk Gae Jang, and the Dak Tori Tang. All of the food was delicious, kudos to the chefs! After finishing our meal and having had out tanker cleared by the busser, our server never came back to check on us. We had to flag him down yet again to get our bill. FANTASTIC FOOD but really could have better service. read more

Jin Ju - Pajun - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great neighborhood Korean with delicious soju cocktails! The food is dependably fresh, well-prepared and delicious and the service is on point. This is a wonderful place to have drinks and dinner with friends or for a casual date night. read more

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. read more

Jin Ju - Domi (Talapia) - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a find! Surprisingly awesome dinner, it was so good and sure to become part of our rotation. The yolk on the bimbap was still runny, panjun pancake was not greasy, dumplings were not dried out and stuck to the cabbage, which, considering we got it delivered I consider an accomplishment. Yummy, light, well cooked, flavorful food read more

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! read more

Jin Ju - My sushi! I loved the portion!! - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had such a great experience here. Great food, reasonably priced, fun atmosphere. Happy to bring out extra hot sauce. And when they accidentally tossed my leftovers, the chef made a whole new plate for us to take home and came out of the kitchen to appologize. Super great service. read more

I ordered 'Steamed kimchi dumpling' and 'Spicy beef soup (Yukgaejang)'. First of all the dumplings were pretty disappointing. The portion and size of dumplings were so small and the flavor was too plain as Kimchi mandoo. I barely tasted kimchi flavor. I won't order the kimchi dumplings from this restaurant again unless they won't change their recipe. For 'Yukgaejang' , It was pretty good soup. I just wished they gave little more rice . The portion of rice was too small for the soup comparing with other Asian restaurants in the city. I couldn't decide between 3stars and 4stars but I gave 4 stars because it was my first order and I wanna give one more try later . read more

Refined Korean cuisine in the heart of Andersonville. The decor is chic and modern with dark wood and bright color walls. Check out their party room in the back too. Well done! Kalbi and KimChi are very delicious, and authentic. Baan Jan are also tasty and well prepared. I had a glass of Riesling with the meal and it was just perfect. The service was attentive, friendly and promptly. I highly recommend this place. read more

Jin Ju - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Never blown me away, and far too pricey for what it is - in my opinion. So, this may be biased to my own tastes & preferences towards/against Korean food (depends how you read it); however, outside of the presentation being beautiful every time I've been, I have never been blown away by their food. Bibimbap and Bulgogi have been my regular dishes, but paying $13-$17 for Bibimbap always feels like I am paying $1.5-$3 too much for the meal. This place has never upset/disappointed me with their food (not really), I'm just never blown away or thinking, "Yeah, that was worth every cent." read more

Exceptional food. Lovely drinks. unclear communication with service staff. I had emailed and set up a reservation for our anniversary. maybe our second time dining out mid pandemic. When we arrived the server who sat us said there wasn't a reservation, no big deal - there was plenty of seating, so we found a spot. The food was amazing, but I guess it felt a little crappy not to have any recognition within the service. read more

The food was great here and I will be back. The only negative was the serving size for the price was lacking. Other than that it was great.

A nonprofit I volunteer for had an event here in December 2021 for about 50 people. Jin Ju hosted us in their back room area and set up buffet style dinner. Service, space, food and drinks were all amazing. Our guests were so pleased with the dinner. We had a great experience coordinating with Agnus leading up to our event. Highly recommend this venue. The front of the restaurant was packed during our event which showed how popular they are. We will be back whether it's as a party of 2 or another party of 50. read more

The environment is nice and intimate. The food is okay but it's overpriced for the portion. The banchan are also very limited compared to most Korean restaurants. read more

I have eaten here twice. The first time was more delicious than the second time and service was better the first time too. Overall though the food is so yummy! I just wish the food had come all at once so our whole party was eating their meal together. I recommend the teokbokki, the pajeon, the bibimbap, and the dumplings. read more

I liked this place but it just didn't blow me away as I thought it would. We started out with their soju type Martinis which I guess are Korean version of vodka (potato I think the waiter said??) anyway, the soju martinis tasted fine but a little too watered down for my taste. The apps we start with were the chicken wings, mandoo dumplings and a kimchee pancake. All three were definite standouts and if we just had those, the dinner would've been exceptional. The entrees were where it went downhill. We split the soup, chopchai noodles with beef, and bimbimbap. The soup was pretty good but it reminded me of a spicy cabbage soup people ate to lose weight. The chop chai moodlesnwere flavorful but it had 4 stingy slices of beef, wth! The bimbimbap was def the loser of the three. I've had way better from a food truck. It had no flavor whatsoever and again lacked enough beef. I probably would not come back here as there are way better Korean restaurants in Chicago. read more

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I am so glad this restaurant is still able to operate during the Coved. Their food is amazing and fresh. Great customer service. I would definitely recommend. read more

Jin Ju - Bi Bim Bap. - Korean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a hidden gem of a restaurant that I never seem to think to return to. I have been probably 4 or 5 times in the past decade. Their food is delicious with a fantastic blend of Asian flavors with every bite. One of my favorite meals there has been this beef dish that comes in a cauldron. It is baked and seasoned so well and comes out piping hot. You have to wait a few minutes before diving in and eating the beef and root vegetables. Perfect for a cold, winter day. Drinks-wise, they offer some interesting takes on traditional martinis using something that is similar to vodka but not vodka. I forgot the name of it. It isn't my favorite and I usually go to the vodka cocktails that they offer but really wish they had the same offerings for that other liquor that they have for their vodka drinks. I am a little surprised that they are open all these years. They are never packed and the rent it his neighborhood is pretty high. Regardless, so glad that they are here! read more

Came here for mother's day dinner. we made a reservation for the 3 of us just in case but we probably would've been okay without it. service was great and so was the food! I'm not super versed in korean food so i don't have much to compare it to but everything we ordered was delicious. super fun cocktail list but they also have beer if you're not into that. flavorful, friendly, and fairly priced. atmosphere is definitely intimate but not over the top. we would definitely return here! read more

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Absolutely amazing! I've been coming here for 15 years and it has never once disappointed. I may sure all my friends stop by and try the food. Ambience is very romantic as well. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

This is hands down one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Everything is a culinary dream!! Everything I've had is good. I recommend ordering a lot of things and splitting it! The wings and pork belly brussel sprouts are a must have. I also love the beef chap chae and mandoo!! I recently moved across the country and I find myself dreaming of this place. Nothing compares read more

Solid Korean food. Romantic atmosphere. Love he bim bim bop in hot stone pot. Friendly service. Prices are fair as this place is a bit more upscale than most. read more

The food was amazing! Nice place, great service and I wish I could give it 6 stars. We have been there a few times and will definitely go back- we are fully satisfied every time read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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 read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more