Juju is the perfect spot for a night out. The ambiance is dark and moody, but perfect to enjoy all the various dishes that are amazing for sharing. It is hard to pick a favorite, I would easily eat all of these dishes again and again. We started with the sweet chili cucumbers, a great combination of sweet and a touch of spice and the crispy brussels sprouts, also on the sweeter side. For our main dishes we enjoyed the garlic ramen noodles and mongolian beef. The ramen had a beautiful presentation, that let's you choose your own combination in every bite. The beef is paired with fingerling potatoes and got rave reviews from the whole table. read more

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Food: 4 Service: 1 Went in for lunch. Place not busy at all -- maybe 6 small tables of 2 or 3. Server interrupted...and interrupted...and interrupted. Friend ordered the Midnight Clove cocktail and I ordered a G&T with Conniption gin. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were "out of" the Midnight Clove cocktail. Friend ordered something else. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were out of Conniption gin-- which is made literally a mile and a half away. Another server interrupted our conversation to deliver something we hadn't ordered.... They just seemed surprised and completely unprepared to be in business. Food was great, though, especially the soup and the best tofu I've ever had. Bahn mi was served on soft bread a bit like ciabatta --I'd have preferred the more traditional crusty bread. read more

great date or gno spot! the vibey, large dining room sets the perfect tone for intentional drink and small plates. I made a reservation in advance for a girlfriend and I, we were seated right on time. I started with an off the menu lychee martini which was delicious. For bites, the two of us went with the brussel sprouts (absolute must order), cucumbers, charred octopus, tuna bites, and pork belly buns. We probably could've done with one less plate and still had plenty of food. Standouts for me were definitely the brussel sprouts and octopus. For all the hype the tuna bites get I felt indifferent. read more

Juju - Charred Octopus - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The food came out so fast! My partner and I literally had like 7 dishes and we ate and paid in less than an hour. Our waitress was amazing and she gave us excellent service. The ambiance and set up of the restaurant was beautiful! read more

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Reallyyyyy loved this restaurant! Every.single.thing we ate was delicious. First off, service was friendly, and food was delivered FAST. Our table ordered over 10 dishes, and they were at our table in less than 15 minutes. We ate, drank, and paid the bill in less than an hour. And, it was all fresh and definitely made to order (not sure how they move food here so fast- especially with a packed restaurant). I ordered the pork and chive dumplings, pulled beef short rib wontons, spicy tuna bites, and lemongrass grilled hanger steak. Everything was delicious. My favorite were the wontons- the wonton was light, airy, and crispy, the beef was shredded and tender, and the creamed chevré and pepper-basil jam really complemented the dish nicely. The flavors just worked so well together. The crispy rice with the spicy mayo and the spicy tuna was fresh, spicy, and the perfect bite. Correct ratio of fish to rice was a win for the dish as well. The dumplings had very thin steamed dough, and the soy cause with red chili flakes in it was the perfect dipping sauce. The hanger sauce was juicy and tender and cooked to a perfect medium rare; and the white rice (with seaweed flakes) and cucumber salad (with sweet chilis) were refreshing, and worked well with the dish. I appreciate that each item on the menu is clearly marked if it gluten-free (or can be made gluten-free), and how many pieces of food come in each order (4 vs 5). The ambiance inside is fun, gold accents around and a cool bar scene in the middle of the restaurant. Will definitely be returning here. Didn't take pictures of everything because I was hungry and ate it too fast. Presentation (and taste) was 10/10 on every dish. read more

Juju - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Juju, in a lot of ways, was a highhly satisfying experience. As someone who typically doesn't enjoy fusion-type foods, instead opting for a more authentic experience, I wasn't expecting much from Juju. This is especially the case when accounting for a steep price tag. That being said, after a nice evening on their outdoor balcony seating, many of my reservations were overcome. The food tasted good, and in the case of the octopus salad, even surpassed expectations. However, it didn't quite reach a 5 star experience. Flavors seemed simple and expected, and outside of the octopus, I caught myself saying "I could make this at home" just a bit too often. I'm not sure that this is going to be a place I would come back to, given my preferences, but it certainly was good enough. read more

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Super delicious fusion Asian food! We especially enjoyed the brussel sprouts and they had such a good crunch and sweetness. The wontons are very ginger forward, so if you're not a ginger fan I would skip on this one. The only dish I would replace would be the crispy rice tuna. Wasn't anything spectacular to me especially for the price. The desserts were delicious, our waitress was very kind, and overall it was a positive experience. Free parking in the Harris teeter lot. We made a reservation for Wednesday evening and they were actually pretty full. Loved the interior design and vibes as well. read more

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Large party celebrating a family event. Was wary of the preset menu (because of the large group)... But great variety of food, every dish better than the one before..... Service was warm, professional and attentive. Drinks were great. This place is really exceptional. read more

I brought my friends who were visiting from out of town here and we had a fantastic dinner. We were a mix of vegetarians, pescatarians and meat eaters and there was something for everyone. The bok choy is a must try, it was the most surprisingly flavorful and unique appetizer I've ever tasted. The crispy potatoes and bomb shrimp were my second favorites like I'd come back just to try all of these again. We also got the drunken noodles, ramen, mushroom curry, octopus and tuna app, all of which were so worth it! Everything was seasoned to perfection without being too overwhelming, a lot of the flavors were more elevated than traditional fare and I can't wait to come back!! Parking was easy, ambience was perfect, I'd drop by for a birthday dinner and the yuzu cheesecake and bao doughnuts were a great way to the end the meal though tbh I'd go for dessert elsewhere. read more

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If you're looking for a really good tapas restaurant, JuJu is for you! Each dish was the perfect size for 2-3 people to share. There was a really good variety on the menu, and everything sounded amazing. It was hard to pick only a few dishes, but I don't think you can go wrong. Everything was delicious!! My personal favorites were the bomb a** shrimp and the brussel sprouts. The restaurant was a little dark, but it had a great atmosphere for a boujee night out. Our server was kind & attentive. Highly recommend and hope to be back soon! read more

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Wow, such good food. Everything I had was really delicious. It was very crowded and we got seated pretty late but the bing bread made it all worth it. The vibes inside are so cute and the menu has so many amazing options. The cucumber salad, bok choy, and bing bread were definitely the highlights of what we got. read more

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Attended a lovely dinner by invitation of research team and enjoyed an awesome menu. The staff were prompt and friendly. The restrooms are clean & stocked with cotton swabs, paper towels. The cocktails are potent & tasty. I've never been here, but I would return. The area is a bit busy, but nice. Unika B. & Co. read more

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Everything we had was great! Great bartender with great recommendations to start. The drinks were really good. I got the pink drink was nothing like I've ever had before! The mushroom soup was very tasty filled with mushrooms. The scallops were delicious and the steak had great flavor. The bartender convinced me to get the donut dessert and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend! read more

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We tried Juju for the first time with friends the other night and it was 10/10! The staff were so friendly and service was extremely quick even with the multiple small dishes we ordered to share. Everything we ordered was delicious! The perfect place for a cozy date night or fun night with friends! read more

Went here not that long ago and had a delicious lunch with a photographer buddy of mine...Wait staff was great and the ambience was amazing. .will definitely be breaking a return trip.. Food was delicious and wasn't overly expensive...Nice sized portions.. read more

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Great food and amazing drinks, highly recommend the midnight clove ( similar to old fashion) read more

Juju - Midnight clove - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I was visiting family in the area and they had been talking about coming here before I even got to town. We came in and the hostess already knew them and greeted us and was so welcoming. Our waiter was very attentive and answered all the questions I had about the menu. The best part of the menu is all of the substitutions and accommodations with the menu notating dishes that have shellfish, are gluten free or vegan. We ordered a few different things because they came as small plates and it was plenty of food for the 3 of us. Everything was very flavorful and had a nice kick! The next time I'm in town this will definitely be on my list of places to visit. read more

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This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants when I want a good meal, but want a variety of options. My favorite thing on the menu are the beef short rib wontons! I could eat three orders of those by themselves. Every server that I've had as friendly and knowledgeable. I've been for lunch and dinner and each time the restaurant has great vibes and decor. It's one of my places I'd love to bring friends or family visiting from out of town. read more

Nice cozy spot for tapas. While the menu did offer some more traditionally Asian options, it also spanned into the more fusion side with semi experimental dishes and unique flavors. Everything was cooked while well and was very fresh, but between dishes some were definitely better than others with varying levels of packed flavor wise, though this may be due to personal preferences. Tapas and all sizes were great, allowing for easy sharing and tasting while keeping it light to get a good variety in. The interior was large yet decorated in a way creating a cozy environment. While h appreciate some dim lighting, personally felt it was a tad too dim, making it difficult to even read the menu depending where you were seated. Seating was plentiful, great for groups small or large. The service was incredibly friendly and prompt. Dishes were served as prepared, which is great for tapas, though be careful ordering too much without pacing as it all may flood your table at once. Pricing was fair though definitely slightly in the higher side read more

Great food and service. We tried a bunch of items off the menu and all of it was very good! You can tell a lot of thought was put into each dish because everything was very flavorful. read more

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We had just gotten off a flight at dinner time, and Yelp gave us the suggestion of this great spot in downtown Durham. It is a gorgeous, low key space. The hostess that seated us at the bar could not have been nicer or more accommodating, the guy at the door, meh, not so much. My husband loved his bourbon cocktail with blueberries, but I was not as impressed with my Sangria. The food, though! We ordered the bomb a$$ shrimp, crispy Brussel Sprouts & Potatoes and the Charred Octopus. Every dish was delicious perfection. The jicama and herb salad served with the (perfectly cooked ) octopus was so delightfully fresh and out of the ordinary. This was honestly the best meal we have had out in a good long while. We would be happy to return! read more

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Came for a group celebration and they were very kind and accommodating to our table, even offering to take a picture of the group. We shared several plates which were all incredible but we especially loved the flavor of the bok choy. The desserts blew me away even more than the dinner dishes. I especially loved the bruleed yuzu lemon curd. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Stopped in for a lunch right at opening time we were greeted with smiling faces. Our service has been extremely attentive and the food so far is amazing! Lots of gluten-free options as well as vegan and vegetarian. The cocktails look amazing.!! read more

Juju - Empty plates speak for themselves!! Great service and great food with a lot of gluten free options. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Very nice restaurant for date nights! Definitely recommend getting a reservation because it can be very busy and hard to get a table. We ordered 4 plates between the two of us and shared each of them. The portions are smaller and meant to be shared. Everything seemed pretty expensive for what we got except the Brussel sprouts plate was massive. That was definitely our favorite thing. The tuna bites also tasted great. They do a really good job at gluten free! my biggest negative was that the bone marrow had the smallest amount of marrow I have had in a bone before. I do not know if it was a bad order from the butcher but it was disappointing. The bread that came with it though was incredible. read more

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Overall great experience. Food is fantastic and we like the varied choices and family style ordering. Cocktails are inventive and well crafted. read more

10/10 on food, service and ambiance. We had multiple appetizers and entrees and all were perfection. They are also very attentive to vegan and vegetarian dietary restrictions. The serving staff was extremely cordial, warm and professional. The seating was comfortable and the restaurant is very chic and hip in its decor. I will be back. read more

The reason this gets 3 stars is because the short ribs were delicious. That's it. The garlic ramen noodles were fine. It didn't have a ton of flavor in it which was disappointing. The banh mi sandwich disappointed. I thought for sure that would be my favorite thing. The meat was super dry and I had a hard time chewing it. I v ordered two mocktails and one was delicious and the other tasted like straight up apple cider vinegar. Didn't finish that one. Was planning on going back to try for dinner but it was so disappointing to me that I don't think I will anymore. read more

I've wanted to try this restaraunt so long and I had high expectations based on the reviews. While I loved the ambiance and decor and the service was great too, the food was disappointing. I was expecting small, tapas-style portion sizes, but I wasn't expecting each dish to be $20 or more. That's about how much you'd pay for a full sized entree at any other restaraunt, so it kind of felt like a scam to pay that much for just a few bites of food. My friend and I shared the shrimp dumplings, drunken noodles, and general tso chicken. Each dish tasted good, but they were hard to enjoy because of how excessively oily they were. Maybe I'm just not used to eating such oily things, but I felt very unwell after this meal which kind of ruined the whole experience for me. I really wanted to love this place, but paying over $20 for a few very oily bites of food just does not feel right. read more

Juju - NC Shrimp Dumplings - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

While visiting Durham, searched for a great dinner location and read amazing reviews about JuJu Asian Tapas...and so glad we found it! Exceptional food and service and loved every dish. Our favorites were: short rib wontons, crab rice, cucumbers. 5-star experience and will be back. read more

Food is stupendous Service was mehhh Ambiance was noisy and hard to hear and be heard, tables way too close to one another. The bill was eye bulging too. The food was very good though, albeit modest portions. read more

Tried to get a reservation here but our timing was bad (it just happened to be Parent's Weekend when we were in town so nary a table was to be found) so we opted for takeout. A bit sad since the takeout menu is limited from the dine-in menu but we still found plenty to taste and love! No complaints about any of the selections but the brussel sprouts, baos, and General Tso's tofu were absolute standouts! Sadly we were so hungry I forgot to take pictures! read more

I always find "tapas" restaurants aggravating. What if I want a full meal? But I feel different about this place! We got a bunch of stuff. I liked it a lot. read more

Juju - Good octopus! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I came with a group of 4 on a Friday night and it was pretty busy! We ordered the bone marrow with bing, pork ribs, crab fried rice, spicy tuna bites, shrimp, and bok choy. The bok choy was a surprising top dish of the night for all of us. The bill was about $130 before tip. Our waiter was quick, which I appreciated. The hosts were rude, which I expected. Overall, probably not a place I would need to come back to. read more

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My daughter and I decided on Asian for dinner tonight after attending an event in Durham earlier in the evening. We didn't have a reservation, and decided to sit at the bar so not to rush at a table that they needed in an hour and a half. Brie was awesome! She made my drink before I even blinked. We started with several bites, that came out staggered, which was perfect for timing. All of them were really good. The Pulled Beef Short Rib Wontons had a variety of flavor profiles and were excellent. The Pan-Seared Shrimp Wontons were excellent too. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Hand-Smashed Potatoes, but I did like them. The Glazed Pork Belly Buns were actually really good, I don't always like the bun. We ordered an entree, The Spicy Garlic Ramen Noodles. Very flavorful and spicy. Everything was very good and prepared perfectly. The service was great. The ambiance is cozy. Music playing, dimly lit, lots of tables and some booths, you can be dressy or casual. read more

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Great food and drink. Interesting and unique menu. Like the location. Good service. Can host larger groups as well.

Excellent food, beyond my expectations! I ordered the spicy garlic Ramen noodles and my daughter ordered the fried chicken bun

Love this place for lunch when in Durham. Everything is always fresh and delicious. I always order way too much. This trip I had the mushroom curry soup Bahn mi Shrimp dumplings All were delicious!! Service on point, ambiance very casual but a little fancy flair. The bathroom is stocked with essentials!! read more

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We were visiting Duke for a college tour and stopped in here for dinner. We sat outside and absolutely loved this place. The server was very friendly. We orders two King of Grenada drinks. For our small tapas share plates we ordered salad rolls (not pictured), pan seared shrimp wontons (amazing) and spicy tuna bites (delicious) and for dessert we got a chocolate mousse peanut butter cup (OMG it was great). We would definitely come back here. read more

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A very nice spot that delivers great food while staying casual in the East Campus area. Our food came out really quick (we were in and out within 45 minutes). I went a little adventurous with the salad rolls and they did not disappoint. Great ingredients all around and you won't go wrong with whatever you order. Staff was super helpful and gave us some great recommendations! read more

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"Outstanding upscale Asian Fusion tapas-style on Ninth Street in Durham" I was surprised to discover that I haven't written a review yet for Juju despite having come for years. I consider this to be one of the best restaurants in town-- never had a dish there that less than very good, and nearly all have been outstanding. If you want a place to go where you KNOW with certainty you'll get a truly excellent meal, this is the place to go. I'll describe my most recent visit below, but the description could apply to any of my many, many visits here. We made reservations for 5 for a Thursday night-- unsurprisingly, there weren't a lot of times available, but we got one on the early side at 5:30pm. The restaurant is well-lit without seeming sterile, with a large bar area in the middle and good seating all around it as well as a nice outdoor patio for if the weather is good. Our waitress was attentive-- good with questions, checked if we had any allergies or dietary restrictions, and refilled out water regularly. We split the following: NC Shrimp dumplings, tofu buns, fried chicken buns, NC crab singapore noodles, sweet chili cucumbers, mushroom curry soup, a sweet potato dish I don't remember now, and vegetarian general tso's tofu. Note-- many of the dishes are "tapas-sized", so the expectation is to order multiple dishes and share. I'd rate every dish as outstanding except maybe the singapore noodles, but even that dish was very good with big delicious chunks of crab. I'd have liked the singapore noodles more if it came with fewer bean sprouts and more noodles, but that's just because I'm not a big bean sprout fan, and I may be an outlier on that. We all LOVED the tofu buns-- such an unexpected combination of flavors that melded beautifully-- totally delicious. The NC shrimp dumplings were also very tasty-- just right with the amount of ginger-soy glaze so not overwhelming. The sweet chili cucumbers were scrumptious-- good hint of vinegariness to it but not going as far as "pickles". I didn't have the other dishes, but folks at my table loved them (note-- the mushroom curry soup was spicy-hot, so be careful if you are spice intolerant). I'll add the "presentation" of their dishes was also excellent. I appreciate delicious food in good quantities presented artfully. We ate until we were all very full and even had a few leftovers. And even with tax and a more than 20% tip, the total still came out to well under $50 per person. For an upscale tapas-style meal and the incredible quality, this is a very good deal. I have no complaints whatsoever-- I'd argue it's the best food in Durham, personally. 5-stars, richly deserved. read more