Jin Ju

Ratings Guide:
Half handshake, half chest-bump hug – 5 stars
Chest bump – 4 stars
Fist bump – 3 stars
High five – 2 stars
Handshake – 1 star
Manly ass slap – ½ star
Fone and fone – 0 stars


Restaurant: Jin Ju
Locations: 5203 N. Clark


I think it’s time to add to the ever-expanding list of things that will always make me smile.

13. Dunking a basketball. Now, I’ve never actually really dunked a basketball, but I have dunked a volleyball, mini basketball, and tennis ball, and every time I did it made me happy. So, I’m assuming that dunking an actual official NBA-size basketball would make me even happier. Of course I’m about 20 lbs from doing it. And it would also help if my hands were big enough to palm a basketball so it didn’t come out when I jumped and harmlessly bounce off the back of the rim.

14. A long, hot shower. Honestly, have you ever gotten in a hot shower and thought to yourself, “I can’t wait to get out of this thing?” I never have. But that’s probably because 90% of the time I’m taking a shower before work and the last thing I want to do is actually go to work. Nothing feels better than a hot shower, except for maybe what you do in the hot shower, but that’s nobody’s business but your own.

15. Harry Caray. And anyone who tries to impersonate Harry Caray. Or anyone wearing Harry Caray glasses. Someone committing Harry Caray is less funny.

16. Mustaches.

17. Sports. Whether it’s watching sports, playing sports, or sucking at sports, I’m happy. I can get pretty angry when my team is losing, and I’ve been known to put my fist through a wall (thank you Bartman), but even then I’m smiling. Sort of.

18. The movie Armageddon. I know Ben Affleck is involved. I know it’s really not that good of a movie. I know I should be embarrassed for liking it. But, whenever it comes on I have to watch it. Doesn’t matter what point the movie is at, or what time of day it is, I have to watch the rest. And I know I shouldn’t be telling you this, but every time I watch the movie (and I mean EVERY TIME) I cry. Does this make me less of a man? You bet. But I don’t care. When Bruce Willis tells Ben, “You go take care of my little girl. That’s your job now. I’ve always thought of you as a son. But I’d be damn proud if you marry Grace.” it makes me cry. Then when he’s talking to Liv Tyler for the last time, and he’s crying, I cry again. Then at the end when Colonel Sharp walks up to Liv and says, “Requesting the permission to shake the hand of the daughter the bravest man I’ve ever met.” I lose it. Yes, it’s sad. Yes, it’s embarrassing. No, I don’t care what you think. Which leads me to…

19. Nostalgia. I like daydreaming. And I like daydreaming about the past. About great memories in my life. About those moments I’ll never forget. The kind of moments that make you laugh or smile when you think of them, even if you’re in a public place (like the El) and everyone around you thinks you’re a crazy person. Armageddon is one of those moments. I remember the first time I saw it was on a date and I cried on that date (seriously, that’s not embarrassing at all). The lifetime of jokes that developed because of that moment I’ll always look upon fondly. Which leads me to…

20. Korean food. See, the first time I ever really ate Korean food was in St. Louis at this little dive called U City Grill. It was your classic greasy spoon and sat about eight people. While most everything on the menu were eggs and the typical breakfast food you might expect, they also had a hand-written board that included about six Korean dishes. One of them was bi bim bap. I remember the first time I ate it with my buddies Ricky (who is Korean) and Brandon (who is as white as a ghost) I was in heaven. Bi bim bap is bulgogi (which is basically thin strips of steak that are soaked in a sauce and then grilled) on top of rice and vegetable, then topped with a fried egg and some sort of hot sauce. So now when I eat Korean food I always think back to that first experience, and it makes me smile. Since then Ricky has taken me to Korea town here in Chicago, which pretty much puts U City Grill to shame, and showed me what real, authentic Korean food is like.

Why do I bring this up? One of my favorite places for Korean food here in Chicago is Jin Ju.

Now, I’m gonna admit when you walk in, the place doesn’t feel like an authentic Korean place. And really, I wouldn’t say the food is truly authentic (but I’m also not Korean, so what do I know). What I would say is the food is truly delicious, and some of my favorite in Chicago.

Jin Ju is located way up north in Andersonville. Where as I love getting out of the typical neighborhoods I tend to frequent, my first (and maybe only) complaint is the parking situation. The last time I was there was on a Thursday night, and with no valet parking available, it took me forever to find a spot. And when I did it was several blocks away. It’s not that I mind the walk, it’s just that my lungs, legs, and gut mind the walk.

I started off with one of their many martinis. The Orange Crush. Whatever you do, don’t smell it. It has a pungent body odor smell. Kind of like what I imagine Vlade Divac smells like at halftime. Or Black Panther. But it tastes delicious and goes down easy (just like my prom date – HIYO!). Despite the smell, I drank two.

For starters I usually get the pajun, which is like a pancake type of thing made with scallions. It’s really good. I also recommend the mandoo, and if you’re eating Korean food, you have to get some kimchi.

For an entrée, you have to get one of two things – either the bulgogi or the bi bim bap. Both are delicious. Both will make you happy. And both will have you planning a return visit. If you don’t eat red meat, then go for the dak bulgogi, or bi bim bap with dak bulgogi (which is the same as bulgogi except made with chicken). You can also get the bi bim bap served in a hot bowl, which most people seem to go with, but as fast as I eat, I don’t need my food to stay warm for very long. Plus, eating out of a ceramic bowl reminds me of the enormous bowls the bi bim bap was served in at U City Grill. And I’m a sucker for nostalgia.

So, Jin Ju may be a bit out of the way depending where you live, but it’s worth the trip. Fist bump with a manly ass slap.



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