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    Jin Joo Korean Restaurant

    3.6 (338 reviews)
    ModerateKorean
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Jin Joo Korean Restaurant Photos

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    JIN JOO KOREAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Meat Jun and Mandoo plate mix.
    Vincent T.

    Well the food was good the quantity a little light and the service was rude. The meat Jun, bbq pork and fried mandoo were all good. The ban Chan was also good. The disappointment was the service. Even if the food is rated a 4 out of 5 I have to minus two just for the service. Our server didn't have a name tag on so I just called her "aunty". The second time I asked for something she responded by saying my name is not aunty, my name is Mimi! She also started to clear the table when I was still eating my meal. Very rude! Didn't anyone teach MimI, I mean aunty Mimi?!? I'm not coming back that's for sure so long as the restaurant has Mimi there.

    Inside
    S M.

    Today I got to try the Spicy Stir Fried Squid and it was very tasty. Also, the service was very friendly and helpful.

    Home cooked Korean food - Kalbi and mandoo and meat Jun and mandoo.
    Tina J.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Small mom and pops restaurant, but tables were pretty full. For first timers that's a good sign.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was tasty - mandoo was definitely home made - reminded us of pork hash! So meaty! Great service and kind waitress. We would go again for sure. Must try their mandoo!

    Meat jun and kalibi combo with 2 scoops rice.

    Came in for late lunch with my hubby. Greeted with a friendly staff and waitress. The food always hits the if you want korean food. Service was excellent!

    Seafood pancake
    Tiffany H.

    Initially wanted to eat at another restaurant in this area but that restaurant was closed. Decided to eat here instead. Got the seafood pancake, meat/fish jun plate. The seafood pancake was crispy with lots of different seafood in it. The meat/fish jun was decent but seemed like a small portion for the price. The meat jun were also very thinly sliced meat without much flavor. We got a few refills of the banchan but when I asked for thirds of a couple items, the server told me that it would be the last time she can refill it. The banchan are fairly small portions so I was surprised she wouldn't give us any more refills of the items.

    side dishes
    MaryAnn C.

    We absolutely love this Korean restaurant. After Sorabol has closed, we have tried looking for a Korean restaurant the same standard as Sorabol and it is this restaurant here at Jin Joo. We liked how fresh the side dishes were and how the service was very good! Our soups came out very savory and spicy just the way we liked it. I think you should try them out.

    Storefront
    Nadine C.

    Dinner in Aiea, O'ahu, Hawaii... I was starving and couldn't think of where to go. I looked at the Bookmarks on my Yelp app and settled on pho. It just so happened that the pho place at Waimalu Shopping Center is closed on Wednesdays. That's lucky for Jin Joo Korean Restaurant, which is right next door! I easily found parking because I beat the dinner crowd. Several people stopped in for takeout, and there were a few people dining-in. The cheerful server greeted me right away, showed me to a table, and brought iced water, utensils, and a menu. I quickly decided on The Jin Joo Special Plate (#1) because it had some of everything: mandoo (with some glass noodles in it), BBQ chicken, bulgogi, kalbi (smokey flavor), zucchini jun, meat jun, and 2 scoops of rice. It was all good - delicious and hit the spot! The banchan arrived first - yum! I tried each side dish even though I don't like spicy food! The slightly tart and sweet seaweed was my favorite. The crunchy cucumber followed, with the tofu and fish cake next. The cabbage and especially the bean kimchi were too challenging for me. I enjoyed the pleasant, old-school vibe! The server really made me feel comfortable by chatting about Instagram because she noticed me taking several photos... LOL! I'll post there tomorrow... Haha! I devoured the meal and have major food coma! Zzzzz! Note: Magic Sauce was kind of like a ponzu sauce... vinegar and shoyu???

    Inside
    Sach T.

    A friend recommended this place a long time ago so finally decided to try it. I looked over the menu for the plate lunches and the pictures didn't show if it came with any banchan. Found out it comes with 4: 1. Bean sprouts 2. Choysum 3. Kim chee 4. Cucumber kim chee Ordered the Meat Jun for me and the BBQ Chicken for my husband. The Meat Jun was good as other Korean places I've bought from. It's the sauce that gives it the flavor but I'm still trying to find a restaurant that has a tasty egg batter I used to order from that is no longer in business **so sad**. As for the BBQ Chicken, it was a little dry even with the sauce they gave but it was tasty. This place is located in the Waimalu Shopping Center with lots of parking. The worker was friendly and said the wait will be about 10 minutes...the food was ready in less than 10 minutes! Yay!

    Meat Jun, Mandoo, and Bbq Chicken (M.M.C)
    Jacob M.

    We were able to have our three kids watched by the in-laws while we go out one last time before my wife gives birth to our 4th (induced on Tuesday). Craving Korean food and heard that this place was as authentic as it gets. So we go. And it nailed everything. It was busy so we were told that the wait was going to be about 30 minutes. We didn't mind so we stood outside. They did not have an official sign in list and the cashier seemed to have wrote my name on the back of a receipt to keep track of who was next for seating. The waitress/hostess came outside and told us that she cleared her "work" table for us because she didn't want my wife to wait too long due to be pregnant and ready to pop any second. This was really nice of her and we appreciated it! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside everyone is tightly packed. There are plastic partition walls they roll around to give tables privacy which was nice because when you sit down you don't even notice you are sitting a couple inches away from the other table, honestly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered the M.M.C (Meat Jun, Mandoo, and Chicken) & a soup that I don't remember... and would probably butcher the name of. The dishes were delicious. No complaints besides I wish I had more. The staff were friendly and would talk to us about the baby wishing us the best as we left.

    Clam tofu soup, pork & squid spicy stir fry, meat jun plate, side order Kalbi
    Mae D.

    Love this place. The food and service are great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant has a lot of seating and there are rolling boards as dividers to separate the tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There is a great option of different foods to try. Everything we ordered was amazing and I love how they ask you how spicy you want your food!!

    Bibim Kooksoo
    Scott G.

    The food is always pretty good here. I had the Fish Jun but forgot to take the pic. Lol. We also had the Bibim Kooksoo, which was not spicy enough but was still tasty. They give plenty of banchan(sides) for the table. Parking can get a bit hectic and sometimes even scarce, but be patient, and you'll find one. Aloooooha and happy eating.

    BBQ Beef, Mandoo, and Meat Jun

    Aiea Korean mom and pop restaurant thats been around for years in the Waimalu shopping center. Great combo meals and banchan, dont forget to use the magic sauce. Usually get the Bbq beef, Mandoo and the Meat Jun combo Typical service when you go to a Korean restaurant, gotta flag down the server. Lots of parking in the lot so thats a plus. 4 stars.

    Mushy rice

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    Review Insights

    14 days ago

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    30 days ago

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    5 months ago

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    24 days ago

    Service was fast and food was ono! Good portions and will definitely patronize them again!

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    1 year ago

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    2 months ago

    Went to pick up late dinner, service was super fast and food was super delicious! Reasonable prices

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    6 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Always good food, fun service! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Wish it was bigger for more tables but the turn around is fast!!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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    10 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Delicious Korean food! Friendly staff and convenient location in Waimalu with ample parking.

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    10 months ago

    Expensive, our food didn't have much flavor and the customer service was not great. I would not go back here again.

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    Page 1 of 9

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    Moobongri Soup & Yakiniku

    Moobongri Soup & Yakiniku

    4.4
    (111 reviews)
    9.9 mi
    $$

    I was craving Korean cold noodles in this summer heat, so we decided to stop by for lunch. We…read morearrived around 12:30 p.m. when there were only a few parties dining in, but the restaurant quickly filled up by the time our food arrived. Their parking lot also extends further so it becomes a pretty decent size and we had no trouble finding a spot. The banchans were good! One of the sides was poke, which we've never seen at a Korean restaurant before. It was unexpected, but so fresh and delicious. We ordered the cold noodles, spicy pork bulgogi, and seafood pancake. Everything was really good, and we'd honestly rank those dishes above most of the Korean restaurants we've been to. The seafood pancake was packed with seafood flavor, and they definitely didn't skimp on the squid. The spicy pork bulgogi came with a bowl of rice and had the right amount of spicy. The cold noodles totally hit the spot and had just the right amount of toppings in every bite. I was left very satisfied and we even had leftovers of the pork and pancake to take home. Service was friendly, and everything arrived in a timely manner. We'll definitely be back soon to try the AYCE and the soups!

    I came here for lunch. I noticed this place changed owners awhile ago. Under the new name,…read moreMoobongri, they offer Ala carte menu items as well as an AYCE menu. I like that they open at 10am and that they serve delicious banchan. I came in one weekday and was seated at one of the regular tables. I guess they assumed I wasn't going to get the AYCE, even though it's pretty affordable for weekday lunch (like $28). Id like to come back to try the ayce sometime. I decided on the cold noodle and kalbi combo for $24. The cold noodles by themselves are only $14, so I thought there would be at least a couple pieces of kalbi in the combo. Nope. Apparently one piece of kalbi is $10. It was served hot, but it was served on a hot plate with onions and the plate itself wasn't hot. Why serve it on a hot plate? Very confusing. The cold noodles were refreshing, but you can get pretty good cold noodles at any Korean restaurant I think. I was a little disappointed in the quantity of food for the combo. Or I wish they had an actual lunch special, maybe I should have just got the ayce at this point right? But I wanted the cold noodles.... Oh well. It doesn't seem like they changed the interior all that much. It was pretty nice inside to begin with and there is a big parking lot. The workers come by when you ring the table side bell. Lol, otherwise they kind of just drop off the food and leave you alone. I was surprised there were like 3 other couples eating from the Ala carte menu at 10:30. I would possibly come back to try their other soups, but I wouldn't get suckered into getting the combos.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Banchan
    Banchan
    Bibimbap

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    Bibimbap
    Soon's Kal Bi BBQ

    Soon's Kal Bi BBQ

    3.8
    (879 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    Discovered Soon's from an IG post about a few of their favorite spots in Oahu. Decided to check it…read moreout for dinner during our last trip out. Was a quick 15 minute drive from the Hilton village. Arrived to find a no frills restaurant. First discovered meat jun while out in Lanai and loved it. Opted for both the meat jun mix and kalbi plate. Food was ready within 5 mins and decided to eat back at our hotel as we had a full kitchen and dining table. The food smelled amazing and somehow we made it back in less than 10 mins. The kalbi and bbq chicken were both awesome. Was really disappointed with the meat jun as it had a weird chewy texture. Upon closer inspection, not sure if it was even beef! Loved how they include both kimchi and cooked bean sprouts with each plate. We thought the portions were pretty generous and had more than enough for lunch the next day! Would definitely head back for both their kalbi and bbq chicken during our next visit out to HNL. Bring cash as that's the only payment accepted here!!

    HISTORY: Soon's korean bbq smoky aromas drenching the neighborhood are a core childhood memory. I…read moregrew up in the 80s nearby, cruising Salt Lake Shopping Center from back when there was Pioneer Chicken and Kana's Ice Cream and Pay n' Save and Sizzler's. My parents would stop pick up Soon's on the way to UH games at the stadium, a Saturday splurge (they were never cheap) when my mom didn't have time to make musubi and hotdogs. Maybe i'm suffering from "da good ole days" syndrome, but my first trip back to Soon's in about ten years left me Broken Hearted... VALUE: the portions were OK, Soon's always gave a satisfying portions but never "masu's massive" satisfying. I thought they used to drop a rubbery fried mandoo as a bonus side with your plate but i could be wrong and i got none today. AMBIANCE: it seemed cleaned up, definitely. but like when you see an old plantation house with a thick coat of bright glossy latex it just felt a little off in a less charming, trying-too-hard kind of way. For reference, I absolutely love the "Honesty" of Bob's BBQ on Waikamilo, and BBQ Kai in Waianae. FOOD: I ordered a couple BBQ Chicken and Meat Jun plates for some contractors working on my parents' house nearby, thought that was a safe bet but NOPE. I felt bad i gave the contractors the terrible meat jun i wanted to apologize was so embarrassing. MEAT JUN - (2/10, +one point cuz it didnt give me food poisoning). Soon's version always was thin, but today was Next Level chintzy. I dunno if the meat was over-pounded flat to stretch it out but even WITH the coating it was the SIZE AND TEXTURE OF BITING INTO A STICK OF STALE WRIGLEY'S JUICY FRUIT THAT WAS FORGOTTEN IN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BACKPACK FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS DURING A HUMID SUMMER VACATION, but without the burst of fruity goodness. So maybe a more apt analogy would be texture and flavor LIKE BITING INTO A STICK OF CLAY. MEAT JUN SAUCE - (nostalgic 8/10). sweet and tasty, but Why do they give only that MINI thimble portion cup of sauce?!? THE CLAY-LIKE MEAT JUN DOESN'T EVEN FIT THE OPENING OF THE TINY %#@$ CUP!! BBQ CHICKEN - (solid 6/10). Always over-marinated, the classic soon's tasty but heavy handed preparation. Clearly benefits from nostalgia. OTHERS - the BBQ meat / bulgogi is also over marinated, with small/medium shreds of slightly dry and too-hard meat. meh. - the "banchan" tsukemono kimchee foil pocket of veggies was always a treat, but so small. plus the kimchee is super weak more orange and sour than truly tasty. The TREAT - SECRET IS TO POUR A PRECIOUS FEW DROPS OF YOUR TINY CUP OF MEAT JUN SAUCE OVER THE VEGGIES TO GIVE IT A TASTY KICK. VERDICT: I grew up with Soon's, but I want to remember them fondly so I'm Never going back. My parents still live in Salt Lake so I'm sad. Guess I'm just going to file Soon's away with the fuzzy old memories of Aloha Stadium, the Islanders, and the 'Bows v. BYU. Next time i need Korean bento I'm going to Gina's.

    Photos
    Front register
    Front register
    5 Popular Korean Food Dishes
    5 Popular Korean Food Dishes
    Soon's kalbi

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    Soon's kalbi
    Stadium Camellia Restaurant

    Stadium Camellia Restaurant

    3.8
    (611 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Had a lunch meeting here today & got to try this place for the first time!…read moreI appreciate their lunch menu, AYCE for $27. The menu is pretty simple but I like that they offer seaweed soup & japchae. They meat was okay, the bbq beef and brisket being my favorite. Dessert was also included! They offer oranges, jell-o & nostalgic strawberry samurai!! Service was good, they came around kind of often to take our order or see if we needed anything else. Place was just your old school restaurant, nothing too fancy but felt comfortable and casual. Definitely will be coming back.

    I had a very short overnight in HNL so my cousin took me here for an AYCE Korean BBQ with the rest…read moreof the relatives. It was located in a strip mall and we quickly found a spot right in front. Inside was not very crowded for a Sunday dinner and we joined the others at our tables. Decor was functional but very convenient to have two grills going. The variety of banchan on the table was a lot including the amount in each dish. Also 3 sauces included but more variety can be ordered. AYCE included all the meats and shrimp listed, a variety of vegetables, and ready to eat options like mandoo, japchae and kim chee stew. Drinks were also all you can drink but separately priced. Staff were always quick fill our requests, clear used plates and replace grills. I tried the kalbi, brisket, pork belly and spicy chicken and appreciated the good cuts of meat, not too fatty but very tasty. We wrapped up with bowls of soft serve ice cream brought to our table and the strawberry color was not quite what I expected but smooth and sweet. There was a 2 hour time limit but we had no problem eating our fill before then. 18% gratuity automatically added to our bill but they worked for it. I'd come back again for sure.

    Photos
    Stadium Camellia Restaurant
    Brisket and seasoned lettuce
    Brisket and seasoned lettuce
    Stadium Camellia Restaurant

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    Jin Joo Korean Restaurant - korean - Updated July 2026

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