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The food was amazing. Going on a weekday was quiet and plenty of tables. But we made reservations just in case. The staff and service was point on. They kept checking in with us. They helped grill and place the meats on first. And we did the rest. They do change come to change the grill grates to help the meat from charring. Good place.
There are many KBBQ spots in the city and suburbs but Jin Soo stands out to me in terms of quality and authenticity. In a big strip mall on Dempster, it is easy to find. One thing that stood out to me was the service. The ajooma's were friendly and accomodating. They recommended that we go with the Thick cut pork belly and saw that we didn't have experience cooking it so they took it upon themselves to make it for us to ensure the best results. I would rank this as one of the top KBBQ places in the Chicagoland area. I'm curious to try their "Sung Chan" combo deal. Seems like a great deal but you need a party of 3 minimum to be able to order it!
I came to Jin Soo Korean with my husband and we had a great time. The quality of the meats is very good, with plenty of options to choose from, and everything we tried was well-seasoned and fresh. We loved that they had many different meats to choose from as well. The banchan were tasty and kept coming, which is always a plus. The Kimchi was delicious! The atmosphere is lively and great for dining with friends or family, and the staff was friendly. This is a nice option if you are feeling like a Korean BBQ.
More and more KBBQ joints are finally opening in the Midwest. Saw this place being reviewed on "The Hungry Hound" on TV and had to come try. To be transparent, only had the meat and haven't tried the naengmyun (cold buckwheat noodles) yet. So this review may update after then. We made reservations, making them were easy. Staff is kind and attentive. Restaurant is tastefully decorated and well lit. Perfect for a KBBQ spot. There were a lot of diners but it wasn't too loud. It was easy to get attention of the servers. The meat was good. Especially the non-marinated beef with the special matcha salt. NOT AYCE. Banchan (side dishes) were good and authentic. I would come again but not necessarily a WOW I MUST come again. If that makes sense. Decent KBBQ joint.
I saw on social media that Jin Soo Korean BBQ was rated one of the top 10 Korean restaurants in the USA according to Beli, so I had to come try for myself and compare it to others on the list. It was my friend's birthday and we called in advance to make a reservation (highly recommend). It wasn't busy during weekday evening, but I'm not sure if it gets packed or not. This is my first time having Korean food since moving to Illinois and it was yummy! We ordered a haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), gangnum galbi, galbisal, Jin chadol. Each protein order came with a stew or a soufflé for free which was very nice! We tried one of each and I think the gyeran-jjim was the best one in my opinion. The kimichi-jjigae was a little watery/acidic and the doen-jjigae was on the salty side. The brisket was quite fatty, I would skip that entree next time. My FAVORITES were the seafood pancake and marinaded galbi! Both were very flavorful and all around crowd pleaser-- even to the folks who have never had Korean BBQ before. I think the prices are fair for the quality of cuts offered and the ambience/cleanliness was great. It is not my favorite Korean restaurant, but I think Jin Soo is one of the best options in the area. Will definitely be back if I am craving quality KBBQ.
We came here on a Saturday night. It wasn't too busy. We got seated right away. We wanted to do their special $49.95 per person, but they need a minimum of three people. We couldn't get that special. We did the a la carte. We ordered the seafood pancake, marinated short rib, and pork belly. They gave us ban chan, steamed egg, salad, and doenjang-jjigae. The seafood pancake was very delicious. It had a lot of seafood in it, and it was crispy. The marinated short rib was good, but it was a little overpriced. The portion was not a lot, and they gave us a piece with a big bone on it. The restaurant was big and clean. The service was good. The waitress would come back to make sure that we cook our meat correctly.
I want to clarify to the white Americans reading this, if no one is helping you cook your meat, just assume that you have to cook it yourself. It's very cringe when Americans go to kbbq or jbbq places and automatically assume someone will come by and cook it for them. Maybe do some research prior? Or just go to an Outback Steakhouse instead. So, I agree that the quality of meat is higher than most ayce kbbq places but I think the value could be better. Service was good. No complaints. Pricing on some items didn't match with what you received. Parking was easy. Also you get a lot of food with what you ordered. Don't believe people with no pictures, that said they didn't get enough to eat. This is about a 4 out of 5 due to the great service. We got the haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), yangnum galbi (marinated short rib), and samgyupsal (pork belly original cut). - The seafood pancake (4.5) was crispy but it fell apart easily. You definitely have to bring your bowl closer, so the pancake doesn't spill onto the table. There was a lot of seafood inside and it was delicious. - The marinated short rib (2.5) was not worth the $43. There wasn't a lot of meat for the price and the meat we did have was kind of fatty. Marinated short rib is better at ayce kbbq places because you actually do get a lot of meat. - The pork belly (4) was fine. I like to have mine on the crispy side. Price was right for that one. We also got the gyeran -jjim (steamed egg dish) and chadol doenjang-jjigae (soup). This came with our meats. Those were very enjoyable.
We came to dine at Jin Soo Korean BBQ on our last getaway to Chicago and it was a wonderful authentic Korean BBQ! We loved the traditional feel of this restaurant as many KBBQ spots we've been to recently are more modern with k-pop playing on big screens. (Don't get me wrong, there's a time and a place for that too) Our waitress sold us on getting the JIN SOO SUNG CHAN which is a 3 people minimum of 49.95 per person which comes with: 5 premium cuts of beef, ban chan, scallion salad, savory egg soufflé, kimchi or soybean jiggae, leaf lettuce & samjang, and volcano fried rice. It was just the two of us, so we thought it would be 49.95 per person but we were still charged as if we had 3 people. But the food was delicious and there was enough left over to have another meal that it was worth it! Everything was spot on and the meats were well-marinated and so tender. We also had our BBQ with soju which makes the meal taste even better. We would definitely come back next time with 3-4 people!
Ambiance - casual dining, smoky even though each table had a retractable bbq hood Service - lacking, we didn't have a consistent server, it was whoever was available, and no one explained to us that the volcano fried rice needed to be cooked on the grill so we were waiting for our rice the whole time Food - marinated Galbi was good but pricey for the amount that they give you
Jin Soo KBBQ was such a solid spot for a full-on Korean BBQ experience From the start, the table setup was on point -- a generous spread of banchan like kimchi, fish cake, creamy salad, and dipping sauces that all complemented the meat perfectly. I love when the sides keep coming and actually taste fresh, and these definitely did. The grill experience was the highlight. Watching the marinated beef sizzle over the charcoal while it caramelized and crisped at the edges? Elite. The meat was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor -- especially dipped into the sesame oil sauce or that savory soy-based sauce with scallions. Every bite wrapped in lettuce with garlic and sauce was chef's kiss. And the yukhoe (beef tartare) was beautifully presented -- layered with avocado, topped with a glossy egg yolk and garlic slices. It was fresh, rich, and buttery with just the right amount of seasoning. Mixing it all together made it creamy and flavorful without being overpowering. Overall, Jin Soo delivers on quality meat, great sides, and that interactive KBBQ vibe that makes the meal feel like an experience. Definitely a spot worth coming back to when you're craving good Korean BBQ in Chicago
The meat is flavorful and both marinated and non marinated cooked on fire taste awesome. Different dipping options are nice, side dishes are good and many options are available for lunchtime and dinner.
Great friendly place. Love the decor. The marinated kalbi is def on the sweeter side than I would like - it charred up very fast coz of the sugar I believe. The rib tip one is too much tendon and I don't think it's worth it. But if u always try to get that last connected tendon off of the kalbi bone, then this is probably for you. Make resos if you are going during rush hours.
27 days ago
27 days ago
2 months ago
12 days ago
The food was amazing. Going on a weekday was quiet and plenty of tables. But we made reservations just in case. The staff and service was point on. They kept checking in with us. They helped grill and place the meats on first. And we did the rest. They do change come to change the grill grates to help the meat from charring. Good place. read more
14 days ago
4 months ago
There are many KBBQ spots in the city and suburbs but Jin Soo stands out to me in terms of quality and authenticity. In a big strip mall on Dempster, it is easy to find. One thing that stood out to me was the service. The ajooma's were friendly and accomodating. They recommended that we go with the Thick cut pork belly and saw that we didn't have experience cooking it so they took it upon themselves to make it for us to ensure the best results. I would rank this as one of the top KBBQ places in the Chicagoland area. I'm curious to try their "Sung Chan" combo deal. Seems like a great deal but you need a party of 3 minimum to be able to order it! read more
8 months ago
I came to Jin Soo Korean with my husband and we had a great time. The quality of the meats is very good, with plenty of options to choose from, and everything we tried was well-seasoned and fresh. We loved that they had many different meats to choose from as well. The banchan were tasty and kept coming, which is always a plus. The Kimchi was delicious! The atmosphere is lively and great for dining with friends or family, and the staff was friendly. This is a nice option if you are feeling like a Korean BBQ. read more
More and more KBBQ joints are finally opening in the Midwest. Saw this place being reviewed on "The Hungry Hound" on TV and had to come try. To be transparent, only had the meat and haven't tried the naengmyun (cold buckwheat noodles) yet. So this review may update after then. We made reservations, making them were easy. Staff is kind and attentive. Restaurant is tastefully decorated and well lit. Perfect for a KBBQ spot. There were a lot of diners but it wasn't too loud. It was easy to get attention of the servers. The meat was good. Especially the non-marinated beef with the special matcha salt. NOT AYCE. Banchan (side dishes) were good and authentic. I would come again but not necessarily a WOW I MUST come again. If that makes sense. Decent KBBQ joint. read more
I saw on social media that Jin Soo Korean BBQ was rated one of the top 10 Korean restaurants in the USA according to Beli, so I had to come try for myself and compare it to others on the list. It was my friend's birthday and we called in advance to make a reservation (highly recommend). It wasn't busy during weekday evening, but I'm not sure if it gets packed or not. This is my first time having Korean food since moving to Illinois and it was yummy! We ordered a haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), gangnum galbi, galbisal, Jin chadol. Each protein order came with a stew or a soufflé for free which was very nice! We tried one of each and I think the gyeran-jjim was the best one in my opinion. The kimichi-jjigae was a little watery/acidic and the doen-jjigae was on the salty side. The brisket was quite fatty, I would skip that entree next time. My FAVORITES were the seafood pancake and marinaded galbi! Both were very flavorful and all around crowd pleaser-- even to the folks who have never had Korean BBQ before. I think the prices are fair for the quality of cuts offered and the ambience/cleanliness was great. It is not my favorite Korean restaurant, but I think Jin Soo is one of the best options in the area. Will definitely be back if I am craving quality KBBQ. read more
We came here on a Saturday night. It wasn't too busy. We got seated right away. We wanted to do their special $49.95 per person, but they need a minimum of three people. We couldn't get that special. We did the a la carte. We ordered the seafood pancake, marinated short rib, and pork belly. They gave us ban chan, steamed egg, salad, and doenjang-jjigae. The seafood pancake was very delicious. It had a lot of seafood in it, and it was crispy. The marinated short rib was good, but it was a little overpriced. The portion was not a lot, and they gave us a piece with a big bone on it. The restaurant was big and clean. The service was good. The waitress would come back to make sure that we cook our meat correctly. read more
I want to clarify to the white Americans reading this, if no one is helping you cook your meat, just assume that you have to cook it yourself. It's very cringe when Americans go to kbbq or jbbq places and automatically assume someone will come by and cook it for them. Maybe do some research prior? Or just go to an Outback Steakhouse instead. So, I agree that the quality of meat is higher than most ayce kbbq places but I think the value could be better. Service was good. No complaints. Pricing on some items didn't match with what you received. Parking was easy. Also you get a lot of food with what you ordered. Don't believe people with no pictures, that said they didn't get enough to eat. This is about a 4 out of 5 due to the great service. We got the haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), yangnum galbi (marinated short rib), and samgyupsal (pork belly original cut). - The seafood pancake (4.5) was crispy but it fell apart easily. You definitely have to bring your bowl closer, so the pancake doesn't spill onto the table. There was a lot of seafood inside and it was delicious. - The marinated short rib (2.5) was not worth the $43. There wasn't a lot of meat for the price and the meat we did have was kind of fatty. Marinated short rib is better at ayce kbbq places because you actually do get a lot of meat. - The pork belly (4) was fine. I like to have mine on the crispy side. Price was right for that one. We also got the gyeran -jjim (steamed egg dish) and chadol doenjang-jjigae (soup). This came with our meats. Those were very enjoyable. read more
1 year ago
We came to dine at Jin Soo Korean BBQ on our last getaway to Chicago and it was a wonderful authentic Korean BBQ! We loved the traditional feel of this restaurant as many KBBQ spots we've been to recently are more modern with k-pop playing on big screens. (Don't get me wrong, there's a time and a place for that too) Our waitress sold us on getting the JIN SOO SUNG CHAN which is a 3 people minimum of 49.95 per person which comes with: 5 premium cuts of beef, ban chan, scallion salad, savory egg soufflé, kimchi or soybean jiggae, leaf lettuce & samjang, and volcano fried rice. It was just the two of us, so we thought it would be 49.95 per person but we were still charged as if we had 3 people. But the food was delicious and there was enough left over to have another meal that it was worth it! Everything was spot on and the meats were well-marinated and so tender. We also had our BBQ with soju which makes the meal taste even better. We would definitely come back next time with 3-4 people! read more
1 year ago
Ambiance - casual dining, smoky even though each table had a retractable bbq hood Service - lacking, we didn't have a consistent server, it was whoever was available, and no one explained to us that the volcano fried rice needed to be cooked on the grill so we were waiting for our rice the whole time Food - marinated Galbi was good but pricey for the amount that they give you read more
15 days ago
4 months ago
7 months ago
Jin Soo KBBQ was such a solid spot for a full-on Korean BBQ experience From the start, the table setup was on point -- a generous spread of banchan like kimchi, fish cake, creamy salad, and dipping sauces that all complemented the meat perfectly. I love when the sides keep coming and actually taste fresh, and these definitely did. The grill experience was the highlight. Watching the marinated beef sizzle over the charcoal while it caramelized and crisped at the edges? Elite. The meat was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor -- especially dipped into the sesame oil sauce or that savory soy-based sauce with scallions. Every bite wrapped in lettuce with garlic and sauce was chef's kiss. And the yukhoe (beef tartare) was beautifully presented -- layered with avocado, topped with a glossy egg yolk and garlic slices. It was fresh, rich, and buttery with just the right amount of seasoning. Mixing it all together made it creamy and flavorful without being overpowering. Overall, Jin Soo delivers on quality meat, great sides, and that interactive KBBQ vibe that makes the meal feel like an experience. Definitely a spot worth coming back to when you're craving good Korean BBQ in Chicago read more
Great friendly place. Love the decor. The marinated kalbi is def on the sweeter side than I would like - it charred up very fast coz of the sugar I believe. The rib tip one is too much tendon and I don't think it's worth it. But if u always try to get that last connected tendon off of the kalbi bone, then this is probably for you. Make resos if you are going during rush hours. read more
This place is right across from Lutheran General hospital! The place is clean and doesn't smell like any other Korean BBQ, they have a very good vent system! The meat here is very good and top grade! You get 5 different types of meat when you order the Jin Soo Sung Chan $49.95 pp and a minimum of 3 people have to order! I have to say, you get tons of meats and sides! You even get the volcano fried rice! Our waiter was very attentive and very helpful! Our grill was changed 3 times! You come out there stuff!! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
I consume Korean food pretty frequently, and I tend to stick with AYCE bbq due to wanting variety of different meats. After trying Jin Soo, they are the only exception - the only non all-you-can-eat BBQ option I've had that is completely worth the price point. My family opted for the Jin Soo Jung Chan - a prefix meal option that allows you to try all the cuts of meat. Be warned, this is all beef, so you better love steak! I must say, all were extremely flavorful -- and there were multiple points throughout the meal where we thought it was over, until the staff kept bringing out more food. One of my favorite items was the steamed egg, as it was full of flavor and had more depth than just a side dish. Topped with fish roe, it was unexpected and we all kept going back for more. The banchan was great and plentiful, and no one left disappointed. The final dish, the volcano fried rice, left us all surprised and fighting for the crispy bits on the hot stone it was cooked on. To accompany your grilled meats, each guest was given an array of sauces and salt. Unique to Jin Soo that I haven't had at any other Korean BBQ was the matcha infused salt (that I couldn't stop eating - so addicting!) and the chimichurri. Although not traditional, it was the perfect touch to go with the different grilled beef cuts. The staff was attentive and always checked on us to make sure we didn't need help with cooking the meat & going out of their way to explain different aspects of the meal. Our waiter, Brian, was amazing and informative about every cut of meat & side dish. Five stars all around for Jin Soo BBQ, I'm so glad we found this gem and can't wait to go back to try their cuts of pork! read more
I first went to Jinsoo Korean BBQ during their grand opening and recently went back to try the Jin Soo Sung Chan set. The lunch special I had during the grand opening was nothing too special, but I'd been wanting to try this set for a while and finally got the chance. The "Jin Soo Sung Chan" set is $49.95 per person and comes with banchan (side dishes), dipping sauces, five premium cuts of Black Angus Prime beef, scallion salad, and a choice of either savory egg souffle, kimchi jjigae, or doenjang jjigae per person. You also get their house fried rice at the end. Fried rice is usually my favorite part of KBBQ, but this one was just okay. One thing to know is that you can only order this set if you have three or more people. If there are only two of you, you can still order it, but you have to pay for three people and get the same portion. To actually make it worth it, I'd recommend coming with at least three. When the meat first came out, it didn't look like much, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. The portions ended up being pretty reasonable, and the meat quality was really good. Our server was super sweet, but the service was a bit slow since it was a busy night. The inside is also very spacious. I've heard their marinated pork ribs are really good, so I'd definitely come back to try those next time read more
Went to Jin Soo on a weekday because my friends and I were craving Korean BBQ--and we were not disappointed. The quality of the meat was top-notch, tender and flavorful. The staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and helpful throughout the whole meal. The restaurant itself has a warm, cozy vibe that made the experience even better. They even changed the grill multiple times without us needing to ask--such great service! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. Can't wait to come back! read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
My husband found this place and it turns out they have only been open for over 5 weeks but what an experience! The place reminds us of our favorite bbq place in Seoul, the same set up. The yangnum galbi the family loved so much we had to order another one. Super juicy and well seasoned. They also had 4 dipping sauces that are all homemade and all were unique with its own favor. The green tea salt went well with the pork belly. The chimichurri with a Korean twist was really good with everything. We also had the brisket point was a hit with the family. I was happy with the gyeran jjim or steam egg. And the stew was out of this world too. It's now our favorite Korean Bbq as they also help cook for you too! read more
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J Lee L.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review. We look forward to…
Hands down the best Korean bbq spot in the Chicagoland! Jin Soo Korean Bbq is worth every bite. The food quality is literally as good is it is in Korea according to my standards. The service is also top notch! They check in on you often! And the atmosphere is very modern and open! If you have to try any Korean bbq stop in Chicago Jin Soo Korean Bbq is the spot for you to go to. Way better than Cho Sun Ok! read more
11 months ago
Most people will focus on the BBQ, and I don't need to say anything since it's so good. However, I want to give a special mention to the seafood pancake. It's the best pancake I've ever had. read more
8 months ago
8 months ago
1 year ago
The Jin Soo Sung Chan is a must try. Amazing food and even better service. The super high quality meat makes all the difference. Also highly recommend the Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake)! read more
6 months ago
The food is good but the service is meh. The restaurant looks clean and spacious. I'm not sure if I would go back, it's is a bit more pricey that expected, It's a bit difficult to order if you don't know the full menu. One person in my party knew about Korean cuisine so it was okay, it was just difficult to ask questions because the servers weren't very open to helping my party. We were watching the servers and they checked on everyone's table except ours, and we had to ask for things multiple times, like rationing water because they kept forgetting, they made us wait a long time to switch the grill, they served us the fried rice and walked away to serve another table while not adding the egg mixture until our rice was already cooking. The service wasn't terrible, they were nice, they just were lacking the attention that is needed to help people. We weren't needy, it's just frustrating to be uncomfortable and not enjoy the food because of lack of attention to our table because we needed water and such. read more
Not overly familiar with Korean bbq, and our server was helpful with how we needed to order and what we got. There was a little sticker shock, no lie, but we adjuated and ordered. The bisket was absolutely delicious! Pork ribs were very juicy! And rhe pork belly... so thick, so yum! Now, absolutle loved the meat, much better quality than the few other places we've been... but, really was underwhelmed by the starters and sides. The sauces were fantastic! We will likely be back, the experience was worth it and the staff was outstanding! read more
New kbbq place in the neighborhood! I really enjoyed the dinner. The interior is really nice. The marinated short rib melted in our mouths and the egg soufflé too. Lots of new items coming soon after the soft opening so looking forward to coming back. The owner was one of our servers and cooked the meats for us. Enjoyed the experience a lot. read more
9 months ago
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More info about Jin Soo Korean BBQ
8788 West Dempster St
Niles, IL 60714
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(847) 376-8558
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https://jinsookoreanbbq.com
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Ask the Community - Jin Soo Korean BBQ
My dad is 85 and can't eat all that meat for health reasons. Out of my family of 4, can 3 of us get the $50 menu and my dad get something healthier for himself?
Yes! You don't all need to get the $50 menu.
Do kids (under 12) also pay full price for the fixed meal option?
Yes, Jin Soo Sung Chan set option (minimum of 3 persons) is priced the same for all guests, regardless of age, as the portion size is fixed per serving.
