Jingo

by Steph C.

Think of Jingo as a boutique Gyu-kaku - Japanese-style Korean barbecue (which, I think the best definition for that is, "we get to charge you for kimchi"), but with higher quality and higher prices than the chain, and a quiet, elegant venue.  And slower service, of course.  Much slower.My family comes here quite a bit - it's on a stretch of Ventura right near our house, and we kind of stumbled onto it back when it was Gochi.  It's never crowded, and Korean barbecue is just kind of fun for family.  We usually order the kalbi and the pork sausage, which my 11-year-old brother adores.  The meat is really quality.  Tender, marinated perfectly... yum.  They definitely don't give you a lot of it, but like I said, boutique.  Everything else I've tried has also been excellent - the bibimbap, the spicy tuna, the garlic kabocha with butter soy sauce, the kinpira...and last time I tried a special of miso cod that was just fantastic.  There's something for everyone, and it's all great.And after you finish your meal (which will not leave you stuffed unless you order a ton), get s'mores!

by Hannah M.

RIP Jingo. This used to be our favorite place for an easy weeknight dinner, but it's been on a downhill slide for a while now. First the sake menu disappeared, then they stopped serving half the menu... we hoped the new ownership would revive the place, but it's got even worse. We've been twice since they changed hands and won't go again - service takes forever, the owners seem completely unfamiliar with their own menu, and last time they were out of the MISO SOUP! I didn't even know that was possible. It's really sad to see because we loved Jingo :(

by George T.

Gochi (the short form of "gochisosamadeshita" (pardon the spelling), the proper Japanese way to thank someone for a fine meal is a very good yakiniku (table barbecue) house . . . think Japanese barbecue as very similar to Korean, not as spicy, but good spicy.  Gochi had an intimate patio for outdoor grilling and about 10 booths for indoor . . . they appear to have a shabu shabu bar, but I've never seen anyone use it.  I've been 3-4 times and enjoyed each.  Decent table service, booze, and the key:  binchotan!  (bamboo charcoal)!  Bamboo (as any hookah enthusiast knows, burns longer and is not as smoky).  Gochi places the bamboo over the table grill and off you go . . . I recommend  most of the beef dishes like the harami miso; their tongue is very tasty, but I suggest if you are not Japanese (or far east Asian) then drink up a bit first and both the idea and flavor of tongue will be more palatable . . . same with the raw beef liver (but it was a bit too cold, had to sit a bit).  Try the Kurobuta or "black pig", this is the Japanese term for a breed of English Berkshire pig.  They'll bring Butter Lettuce (or Bibb?) along with other fun stuff (bean paste, etc . . .) so you can go to town Soot Bull Jeep style.  SO, if you are in the San Fernando Valley near Tarzana, try Gochi.  I'd even give it 3.5 if I could.

by Master P.

Best Japanese BBQ, better than Gyu-kaku (which is really a chain store in Japan.)  Don't get me wrong, Gyu-kaku appeals to yuppies like..like me..but going to Gyu-kaku is like going to eat at PF Chang if you were Chinese...I digress.  Jingo is an honest Japanese BBQ experience.  I can find better ones in Tokyo, or Osaka, or Sendai, but in Encino?   You don't find any better ones in Little Tokyo or even in Torrance.  What separates Japanese BBQ from Korean BBQ is subtlety of the taste -- better quality meat, less portion, tasty but not completely full.   Whereas the Korean BBQ, you want meat, meat, and more meat until your clothes smell like you went into a smoke house.  With Japanese BBQ, you want something unique with little taste of many different items not just the meat...I suggest you try a few simple appetizers and look at the daily special.  Kobe beef is always great, but try the tongue with just salt and I'm not talking about your date. I liked the restaurant that was here before -- but Jingo is better.  Their sake list is good -- little on expensive side -- and wine list could be little better -- but here, I'd say just try some sake or beer. Little on expensive side -- but worth it.   I'm going to tell the owner to open one on the west side.

by Rocky D.

I am a local here, and have been since it was the original place. It has changed ownership 3 times now!! The first two were great, but the new ownership just didn't make it feel like an authentic Japanese BBQ like the previous owners did. Mind you, this is a very recent change.The food is still top notch as well as the service. The waiting staff if stellar and I admire their efforts to keep this spot traditional, yet the new ownership just has a weird vibe and they obviously haven't done the proper research to find out what the place use to be like, I'm afraid that many of my friends and family will NOT be coming here anymore.You can also tell that the waiting staff is not happy anymore.What a bummer, Jingo was mine and many, many of my acquaintances favorite place to eatIt was such a wonderful place...they use to Greet you, sing traditional Japanese Bday songs, and pound the drum. So sad, so sadR.I.P.---I give the FOOD and SERVICES "5" STARS,and the new ownership !/2 a STAR!Please get your shit together if you want to survive

by Shannon J.

Great food, great atmosphere, great staff.  It feels cozy inside without feeling crowded... nice date place

by H Y.

Super premium kolbu beef...excellent quality.I'd recommend this place over Gyu-Kaku because they use real charcoals, and the beef is really, really good.  Plus, the premium is not as expensive as the Gyu-Kaku premium combos.

by Sally L.

It's been a little while since I've been here, since I don't live in LA anymore, but I've been a few times with my mom her friend (both Japanese expats), who still frequent it as they live in the area (mom's friend is 5 min away).For me, Jingo is heaven, because it brings back what REAL Japanese-Korean bbq is supposed to taste like. Having lived in Kyoto for 4 months in 2007 practically living off of yakiniku (okay, that might be an exaggeration...), I was sorely, sorely, *terribly* disappointed by Gyu-kaku. Those of you who found Jingo after being turned on to Japanese bbq by Gyu-kaku, I pity you. No offense.The meat here is SO delicious, while it makes me cringe to remember the all-you-can-eats in Japan that were roughly $17/person ( no tip!), it's well worth the $30+ I can easily spend here. The marinades are delicious, the dipping sauces divine... best yet, the specials are always to die for.The first time I ever had uni (sea urchin) was at Jingo. It was baked creamy delicious I'm in love with it now. I've also had oxtail, a lot of other wonderful concoctions that aren't coming to mind now.Anyway, I LOVE this place I wish I could find someplace like it in Tampa, my new stomping ground. I don't find that too likely. :(

by Paulina K.

4.5 STARSI first discovered Japanese bbq at Gyu-Kaku, and was turned on to Jingo through Yelp. ( See my Gyu-kaku review for the low-down on the Japanese bbq expereince  )Here are my top reasons for giving Jingo a higher rating :- Better meat quality at a greater $ value.- THE INTERIOR! It is elegantly minimalistic in style, not to mention the adorable garden / patio seating option.- Not packed, no wait, not noisy.- Nice selection of appetizers, including a modest selection of sushi.The only pro for Gyu-Kaku is their garlic noodle dish, but I'm trying to stay off carbs anyway  :)Overall, Jingo is much more refined and makes Gyu-Kaku look like a noisy cafeteria...

by Eva B.

I found out about this darling little gem through a wonderful friend of mine.  After visiting here several times I was truly amazed by the authenticity of the restaurant along with the friendly staff...i mean it was the cat's meow!  that is before the recent switch in ownership.  now i can't even give my guy a good blow job before dinner because they got rid of that private screen!  sorry Rocky D...5 stars for the staff and food though