Jin Joo Korean Grill — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

My dining experience here at Jin Joo was very unflattering. First, when we were talking with the receptionist, she mentioned that the fried chicken side dishes have been phased out and instead replaced with ramen (instant ramen) which they have a variety of that you can choose from, it’s mainly Korean instant ramen. After we got seated and they started serving the side dishes and cutlery, I noticed that no rice was served, which was the case in almost all samgyupsal I have eaten before, tho I see other customers eating rice so I think you have to ask for it to be served. Their side dishes were nothing to speak of, no marbled potatoes, no coleslaw, no fish cakes. After that, the meats were served. Their meats are really bland, even the seasoned meats. I actually agree with one of the reviews here that said the seasoning was just put on top of the meat the minute you order as it doesn’t soak up the flavor. They only give you 2 sauces here, actually it’s just one, the samjang sauce and some oil. When we asked for the receipt and showed are PWD ID, the staff said we can no longer have it discounted since it’s already on promotional, since the original price is 999. This was a first for me. I have eaten at other korean grill that cost way less than 699 and they still provide a discount. (She said she mentioned it to us before we got seated but I don’t remember her informing us about it.) For 999, I will probably just go to Vikings. Plus the staff here is not really attentive, you really have to get their attention for everything. They don’t have napkins on the table, either. This is probably the 2nd worst samgyupsal experience of my life. I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone. EAT AT...

JinJoo Grill in Podium has always been a favorite. We used to line up just to enjoy their unlimited Korean barbecue grill. Compared to other Korean BBQ spots in Manila, their Podium branch looks and feels more upscale.

For our dinner this July 2025, we discovered that they no longer offer unlimited meat. But because JinJoo has long been synonymous with an authentic Korean grill experience, we still decided to dine — and we were not disappointed.

The Pork Belly (Samgyupsal) was the standout. The fat-to-meat ratio is amazing — almost equal parts — and the pork was fresh, tender, and juicy. You can really tell the difference compared to the usual samgyupsal you get from other grills. It goes so well with the traditional Korean sauces, but honestly, I enjoyed it even without any sauce.

The Chadolbagi (thinly sliced beef slices) was also worth it. For less than ₱600, you get a generous serving of meat that’s so good, you can enjoy it slightly cooked or even toasted for that added bite.

In terms of presentation, the Beef Bulgogi was the star of our table. It’s served on a hot steel plate with its own fire and comes with salad on the side. Before serving, the staff pours the sauce over the meat and salad, which adds a bit of anticipation to the dining experience.

I also liked their steamed egg topped with melting cheese — a simple yet comforting side. I just hope they’ll consider serving more side dishes and maybe offer iced teas and rice as complimentary, similar to...

If I could give 0 out of 5 stars I would. The cuts of the meats were inconsistent, not enough selection considering the price and not so fresh side dishes. I know it's a little unfair but I mean if you are a restaurant in a high end location you would be expecting a bit different. In all of this the most disappointing experience that made me my first ever review was the terrible service. The staffs were rude and unfriendly. From the moment we arrived at the place (there was not a single person at the door), we waited for 5 minutes to be guided inside. Once we were seated that staff left us right away. When we called someone to get our orders (there were 3 of them at my back) they were ignoring me I have to call them loudly "excuse me, miss" upon arrival of that "person" I am not sure if they got our orders right because upon saying which meat we will order that person left right away and the worst of it all when I was about to give the check. One of the staff just swoop the bill out of my hand ang glared at me without even saying how much was there. It was the worst service I have ever experience. I am not going back...