Jin Ju

Tucked away in a Koreatown strip mall, Jin Ju feels like stepping into someone’s living room—if that living room happened to have tabletop grills and the most adorable cartoon farm animals decorating the walls. This family-run gem brings recipes straight from the original Jin Ju in South Korea, now overseen by two sisters who’ve inherited both the restaurant and the warmth that makes it special.

The star of the show here is the marinated pork ribs, thick slabs coated in a glossy sauce that’s been sweetened with pear juice for three generations. It’s the kind of dish that makes you understand why family recipes get passed down—there’s something deeply satisfying about that balance of sweet and savory hitting the grill. But if you’re feeling adventurous, the “Special” is where things get theatrical. For around ninety bucks, you get a full tableside performance: sirloin steak, curled kielbasa, and a medley of vegetables all cooked right in front of you, finished with a kimchi fried rice flourish that transforms the whole experience into dinner and a show.

What sets Jin Ju apart from the countless KBBQ spots in Koreatown is the personal touch. The sisters running the place take turns manning the grill themselves, carefully slicing and dicing the steak, sautéing peppers and mushrooms until the aromas fill the entire dining room. It’s the kind of hands-on attention that’s become rare in LA’s dining scene—and it shows in every bite.

Whether you’re introducing out-of-town guests to the joys of Korean barbecue or just craving a casual weeknight dinner with some seriously good meat, Jin Ju delivers without any pretense. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is endearingly quirky, and the food tastes like it was made by people who genuinely care. That’s a combination worth seeking out.