Jin Joo: A Fiery and Cheesy Love Affair
Jin Joo’s famed dishes typically require a battalion to go through them so it took me a second visit before I was able to fully explore its menu. My first visit limited me to their ala carte dishes which underwhelmed me with the exception of their Kimchi Udon Stir-Fry, so I was a bit apprehensive about this visit.
Like most Korean restaurants, Jin Joo serves unlimited banchan to pair with its dishes. Watch out for its delicious fishcakes as they can get thoroughly addictive!
8 FLAVORS SAMGYEUPSAL (P1560)
One of such dishes would be the massive 8 Flavors Samgyeupsal. Eight rolls of samgyeupsal are served on a long platter that takes up an entire side of your table. Its flavors include the Herb, Honey Garlic, Smoky Barbecue, Peanut, Curry, Miso, Sweet Wine, and Red Pepper. Personally, I enjoyed the Miso and Red Pepper the best; while everything else was just alright for me. The quality of the pork isn’t that great as the strips were tough and stringy; however, eating through this was a delightful experience in itself. No need to fret about cooking this bunch as their servers already mastered an efficient way of cooking this lot.
HAEMUL PAJEON (P380)
Haemul Pajeon has always been a dependable meal filler. It’s usually reasonably priced and comes with a serving size which is perfect for sharing. It’s a dish that I usually order for my family, but never really appreciated. Jin Joo’s though serves as a an exception, as this savory omelette-pancake delivers with its crisp edges and perfectly seasoned flavor.
GALBI JJIM (P390)
Its Galbi Jjim is another surprising win for the restaurant. Armed with a darker and thicker consistency, its broth is a perfect marriage to a warm cup of rice. Prior to this visit, Kaya’s Galbi Jim was my standard; but Jin Joo effortlessly demoted it to a solid second spot.
FIRE CHEESE CHICKEN (P890)
However, it was the Fire Cheese Chicken which blew me away. Cheesy Korean dishes have been a trend in restaurants in Manila with the likes of Kko Kko and Sibyullee serving up their own cheesy meat platters. Jin Joo’s Fire Cheese Chicken though seems to be blaze a trail of its own.
Its chicken came in a fiery hot hue but this was balanced by a sweet sticky honey glaze. Tteokbokkis were generally tossed in the platter to give respite to the heat, but it was the melted cheese which made this truly exceptional!
Jin Joo
5F Sky Garden, SM Aura, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Date of Visit: April 1, 2018 with Wilson Chua, Lily Chua, Jared Chua, Jem Chua, and Noel Wee
