I needed my local chocolate fix, Yelp led me here and I got validation from a local - so I was excited! AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking, generally meter parking. Seating: The space is not big enough to host people but there's a table or two for pairs right outside. Vibes: Welcome to Mid-Govans, Baltimore! It's a grit and grind area but definitely a nice local residential spot - a diverse area with some nice local gems. Jinji's shop is pretty nice - small intimate but vibrant! I dig the neo-soul music playing and the see through window so you get a glimpse behind the scenes. FOOD/DRINKS: Date Poppers (Recommend) Dates filled with cacao nibs, honey, sea salt, and dark chocolate. I enjoyed the natural sweetness and the chew texture of the dates. Teh cacao nibs gave a nice crunch with an earthy flavor. Peanut Butter Turkish Figs (Recommend) (3 per person) Figs stuffed with creamy peanut butter ganache and enrobed in rich dark chocolate. I can see why they limited this per person. Soft, chewy, and sweet figs with a nice caramel touch to it. The peanbut btter ganache was smooth and nutty and the dark chcolate helped bring some good balance. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I worked with Guy (father of Jinji). Great guy that was very professional and personable TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. Ooooi! If you're looking for some elevated local chocolate, this is your spot. Yes it's a bit higher than your usual chocolate shop but that's what you pay for. When in Baltimore, do consider visiting this place. I wish Jinji and her business all the best. #SupportBlackOwnedBusinesses TIPS: * Ask about their limited-edition or seasonal bars -- they rotate in creative flavors and specialty pieces. * They got vegan options too! read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Wooo! - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Was hiding back to virginia from philly and had a real desire for fudge. I found this place online and was one of the few open late afternoon on a Sunday, so we decided to stop. Pros: The taste was amazing, especially the lemon cheesecake. They do a lot of business and have a lot of repeated customers. The neighborhood was in a better part of town. Cons: While the person that helped us was smiling, she really didn't give that welcoming and suggestive help. Their front doors are really small, so if you are a larger person, you will need to go in sideways. Selection was small. Overall it was okay but nothing I would go out of my way to return to. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Offerings March 2024 - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I love jinjis, so cute inside and there are lots of merch and interesting souvenirs. The chocolate treats are very unique,eg the date poppers. I particularly like the pecan clusters she currently has, using pecans from Alabama, so fresh and delicious. I love the hot chocolate! Most everything is plant based which is nice and they make their own vegan marshmallows. There's two types of hot chocolate, one that is more sweet and the other which is more complex, I got the latter and I was more than pleased. She also does frozen hot chocolate if you're looking for a drink on a hot day. The owner and chocolatiers are so kind! read more

Could not be better. Truly one of the most unique shops I've ever come across. This chocolate is special, artistic, and carefully crafted. Please do yourself a favor and savor each bite. read more

A small stand located in the Belvedere Square Market. If you didn't know about them you might miss them. (Located next to the ramen spot) All about the chocolates here and they had a few varieties (that change with the seasons) to choose from. Raw, Dairy and Gluten free. We got a few to try and all packed rich and complex flavors although we had some favorites. Signage with tasting notes was a nice touch. Favorites were Salty Caramel, Gianduja, and Peach Blueberry. Peanut Butter Turkish Figs and PB Fudge Bites were very good. Service was helpful and patient with my questions. They are local and I remember seeing their chocolate featured in some of the local coffee shop mocha beverages. Good spot for dessert and to satisfy those chocolate cravings. read more

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I went to the new location recently, and I was disappointed that their prices went up by 40%. I understand that cocoa prices have gone up, but the strength of this place was very solid chocolate at low prices. Now, I no longer can see myself going here for sweets because there are a lot of other great chocolatiers that I can buy from online at the same price point. read more

I did a little hot chocolate adventure for my Baltimore food instagram (@AmandaTheEpicure) where I ranked my favorites and this one was awesome. This delicious hot chocolate is creamy without being thick. The flavors are powerful on the front of your tongue while the rich dark chocolate coats the back. They also have drinking chocolate, but it had cinnamon, so I went for the regular. This was my favorite hot chocolate within Baltimore City! I was told that they recently moved locations, and the new shop is very cute. Will definitely be back. read more

Their chocolates are creative and phenomenal, of course, and their new space is really beautiful. There's plenty of street parking, too. I am thrilled that they now offer drinking chocolate, and I believe they are the first place in Baltimore to do so. I have tried drinking chocolate in many cities around the country (and in Vancouver), and Jinji's is at the top! If you're a chocolate lover and have never tried drinking chocolate, get yourself to Jinji as quickly as you can! They also offer egg creams and chocolate horchata. I love that they have added beverages to their menu. But the best part about visiting here is how warm and inviting they are. FYI: They accept credit cards and digital payments only. No cash. read more

These were incredible chocolates and worth the trip for us! A box of these chocolates would make a fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys specialty chocolate. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - a variety of chocolates - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

While I'm not a dark chocolate lover, I live with one! :) I always make sure when we're at Belevedere Sq. to stop in and grab a few items for a treat. There always seem to be a great variety of choices. Most recently, there were several options for gift boxes, from just two pieces to large quantities. Great way to buy local for the chocolate lover in your life! Also, for COVID protocol, the employee was masked and behind the plexi glass, they have a card reader (cards only - no cash!), but you do have to click the ipad for tip / confirmation. read more

I've only had the hot chocolate so far but it was delicious. I can't wait to go back and try more things. This is a cute little shop with friendly staff. read more

Craftspeople that take time to hone their skills and execute their vison are admirable. Chocolate is the platform used to showcase flexibility, simplicity, creativity and skill. A small tight knit crew with a respect for chocolate and people. I've had several options: pot du crème turtle truffles I'll take these I'd recommend visiting this gem any time for both sweet tooth and savory lovers. One major thing I almost left out... everything is vegan/non-dairy--yup. Let's talk about that I. The comments In conclusion: if your visiting Belvedere square and wanted an artisanal snack head over here. They're chill and enjoy what they do and it shows in every bite(s). read more

My wife would rate this 5 stars for sure. She has said countless times that this is the best chocolate she's ever had in her life. I would say this is decent. High quality ingredients. Melt in your fingers dark chocolate. The PB and fig chocolates were a home run, but a couple of the items we got were strikeouts (white chocolate marshmallows and the covered dates). read more

My wife and I go here all the time right after we have a meal at Atwaters in Belvedere Square. You will not find any better and cleaner tasting chocolate. Believe me we tried. We actually got to speak to Guy who is the father of the owner Jinji. He is such a sweetheart. I should have taken a picture of him, he has such a wonderful smile. Yes, the prices are a tad more than I would like to pay for on chocolate but what you get in quality is well worth the price. If you want to indulge in chocolate and feel really good about it than I would highly recommend this place. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolate covered Peanut butter and Turkish fig - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I hate to write this, but I received truffles from here as a gift, and am now reconsidering that friendship. They were foul, disgusting, inedible. read more

I was a little turned off when I first arrived because it took a little while to even be noticed that I was standing there to place an order. I was just about to walk away when I was helped. I would give this place 5 stars had I not had that initial experience. However, I have to say that the pieces that I purchased was delicious. Hopefully, when I return it will not take so long to be noticed. This place is located inside of Belvedere Market. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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I stopped in this morning and got the BEST hot chocolate I have had in Baltimore! The shop has lovely vibes - so happy to find this gem!

Jinji chocolate is delicious. The staff is friendly and the fact that everything is vegan is amazing. This stuff tastes way better than most boutique chocolates AND they don't even use cream/dairy. I have tried truffles, fig, and fudge and everything is exceptional. They package assortments simply yet gorgeously so they make good gifts. My only gripe is that upon ordering two Christmas boxes of truffles, nothing is labeled so a recipient knows what is what. I asked and was given a breakdown but it did not match what was actually in the box. In addition, my husband got me a $30 box for Valentine's Day. He assumed a variety of the day's truffles would be in the box but half was fudge. That's fine, still delicious, but it was a bit misleading what is in an assortment box. I will definitely be back to pick and choose more things on display! read more

Just visited the brand new location on Greenmount in Waverly. Since I am not a chocolate lover, I was only there to buy a small gift for a friend and support a local business. I asked why everything was vegan (not EVERY DAMN THING needs to be vegan, folks), and the person behind the counter said that they legitimately believe their chocolates taste better this way. I tried a bite of one of the chocolates I got my friend and it was INTENSE. Then I tried a bite of the pot de créme, which, again, was intense, but it was a little bit spicy! Put spice into/onto anything is the way to my heart. If you are a chocolate lover, you will love this place! I'll definitely be back, especially if they keep making spicy treats... read more

I'm glad Yelp led me to this little gem of a chocolate shop. I sampled a few of their items. The pot de creme was okay and really liked the coconut marshmallow thing (forgot what it was called). The guy helping me was versed on their process and what ingredients do (and don't) go into their chocolate. It's a little pricey but it's worth it. I will definitely come back next time we visit Baltimore. read more

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I ordered some of Jinji's chocolates online and got them shipped to Colorado!! They are AMAZING. I got the date poppers and the pecan turtles. Both are incredible I love them sooo much. You can tell the ingredients are high quality including the chocolate, dates and nuts. I ordered some vegan chocolate bars for my friend, still waiting on her review! Cant wait to order again :) read more

I am not a big chocolate lover but I met the Father of the owner at a wellness event and he was SO nice. Kindness warms my heart so I been telling everyone I know who loves chocolate to try this place. The sample I had a very clean tasting. I will have to visit when I need some gifts. Thanks for reading! read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I don't always eat chocolate, but when I do... So many selections. They were all so tempting that it was hard to pick just one. But, the Salty Caramel Fudge spoke to me - salty white chocolate with caramelized coconut sugar, dipped in 72% dark cacao. Very rich and buttery. Then, Guy spoke to me...offering a taste of a Pot de Creme- dark chocolate custard spiced with a traditional Mexican flavor profile of cinnamon, ginger root and cayenne. One taste, and my eyes rolled into the back of my head. Absolutely divine. You can tell that these are all made with extreme care and love. Damn good chocolate made by damn good people. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Tiny, little shop in Belvedere Square Market. They locally source their ingredients except for the chocolate, which they get from Ecuador. I was pleased to learn that they chose their Ecuadorian partners due to good that company does for their community. It's nice to here a business decision tied to good works. The chocolate is made daily right in the little shop and is as expensive as you'd imagine small batch, individually made, non-chain store chocolate would be. $2-3 per piece but .... it's worth it! The flavors change and the choices on the day I went were wonderful, I hit one of each Stop here when you can, engage the kind and informative owner in conversation. I really enjoyed the discussion and the story of the life he has reinvented in retirement. Good for him!! I'll be returning to this shop. Thanks to you Yelpers for helping me find. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Holy smokes, Pure Chocolate by Jinji is truly spectacular! Jinji's creations are incredibly sophisticated both in presentation and flavor. Everything here is handmade with care and skill, and the results are nothing short of amazing. Consider yourself lucky if you happen to be in the Baltimore area and are able to taste these incredible chocolates, macaroons, truffles, and other gorgeous treats. We had the pleasure of sampling through many of her offerings, including the most amazing macaroons i've ever tasted. They were bright, aromatic, and incredible! I've never tasted such delectable macaroons before in my life. Her truffles combined smooth, intense chocolate flavor with lovely aromatics in a rich and satisfying (but not at all heavy) treat. Jinji has perfected the art of coaxing the unique flavors and nuances out of each ingredient. And those ingredients just happen to be wholesome, healthy, and organic. Here you will find no refined sugars or anything artificial or fake -- only pure, raw, organic, (and naturally gluten-free) whole food ingredients. Does it taste like health food? NO WAY! Her desserts are exquisite, sophisticated, and delicate. I highly recommend getting one of each of daily creations and experiencing pure culinary bliss. I had the pleasure of chatting with Jinji about all things food, and she was incredibly enthusiastic to share her extensive knowledge with me. Jinji is a lovely, warm, and charming person with incredible skill and talent. You MUST try her tasty treats ASAP! P.S. I meant to post photos of her gorgeous creations but was too distracted by their amazing taste to remember to take pictures. :P read more

Cocoa Ambrosia! Nectar of the gods. Edible artistry. Sustainer of life and purveyor of all things tasty! Jinji is a genius, confectioner of the highest order and a genuinely kind soul. If you haven't guessed already, this is a 5/5 review. *squee* I discovered Jinji's Chocolate at a Lululemon event almost a year ago and the moment I sampled the Mexican pots de crème it forever changed my perception of what chocolate could be. Nuanced flavors, balanced pairings, the delicate interplay of compounds and chemistry to create something remarkable. Food-network culture loves to use the word "elevated" when describing a dish and while I rage against the mindless fetishizing of food, the delicious decadence of a truffle speaks to something primal and innate. Each piece is made with love and that is reflected in every bite. Sparing you a diatribe about neurochemistry, volatile aromatics and evolutionary biology it boils down to this (ok, the chocolate is raw, never boiled): Jinji's Chocolate is the best I've ever had - hand's down, bar none, full stop. Treat yourself, treat someone else, experience the divine. Visit Pure Chocolate By Jinji. read more

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I originally learned about Pure Chocolate by Jinji through a Yelp event and knew immediately that I would be back! It's a cute little vendor shop in the Belvedere Market. If you're looking for a treat for yourself or a nice gift for a chocolate lover you definitely should stop by here! Jinji's chocolates are vegan, dairy-free and has no refined sugars -- so it's chocolate you can feel good about eating. You might think the chocolates might not taste as good since they are vegan, but they are the most decadent chocolates I've ever had. My favorites have been the Chai truffle and the Blueberry Tobacco truffle. All of the chocolates range from $1.50 to about $2.75 a piece. And Jinji changes up the menu so there is always something new to try. read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I'm kind of a regular at Belvedere Square, but for some reason I have completely managed to overlook Jinji's over the years. That is until today. As a vegan it's hard to find chocolate I can actually eat. To my surprise, however, almost every piece of chocolate that Jinji sells is vegan friendly. Like really, how the heck haven't I noticed this place before? Their chocolates are amazing and they're upfront about every ingredient in them. A must try and a new favorite for me. read more

Absolutely fabulous little spot in Belvedere Square Market! Enjoyed a "Meet the Maker" event with Jinji walking us through the intricacies of her chocolate-making and allowing a tasting of the utterly decadent chai ganache which she proceeded to use as filling in lovely chocolates. This adorable stand is unique, run with love, and makes perfect gifts for any vegans, non-dairies, or chocolate lovers in your life! Very excited for Jinji and her family for the explosive growth of their business. read more

Not only do the people that own the place absolutely love what they do, but their chocolate is simple and delicious beyond comprehension. Not to mention it's vegan! The date poppers are my favorite, so soft and rich and salty sweet. But the chocolate in general is so high quality. For the amount of love and care and practice put into the chocolate, it is well worth the price. Do yourself a favor and stop by. read more

Hot damn that's good chocolate. Tried a selection, mostly truffles. Very well made and satisfying. Just enough sweetness, unique flavors too. read more

If you've never had Jinji's confections, you haven't experienced true bliss. She creates delectable and delicious delights that will make you wish you could eat them until you burst like that kid in Willy Wonka. She's an amazing artisan who makes magic with chocolate and you should run to her today to experience it for yourself. read more

Expensive but very very good The chocolate and customer service is excellent Limited choices of flavors but very good read more

I'm so glad we stopped here! I love chocolate, but I don't often splurge. Three of us were at Belvedere Square today, and we ordered 5-6 different chocolates to sample, and they were all great! I loved the variety of unique options, and my favorite was the Peanut Butter Turkish Fig covered in dark chocolate. Try it! read more

First off, I have a confession to make: I do not like chocolate. Ever since I was little I have never been able to eat chocolate due to the awful burning/fiery sensation it creates in my throat when swallowed. It is so bad that I can't breathe after swallowing certain chocolates--even the hot chocolate beverage. Therefore, not being a chocolate lover I was very hesitant to come to this event. However, once I viewed Jingi's website and did research on her chocolate I decided that maybe all I needed was GOOD chocolate without all the preservatives and added residual sugar. Jingi's chocolate is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free fine chocolate with no refined sugars. The chocolates are very delicate and demonstrate perfectly-perfected raw chocolate. Pure Chocolate by Jingi is a dynamic duo partnership of creative raw chocolate artisans, Jingi and Guy (Jingi's Father). The dynamic duo was welcoming, knowledgeable of their product, attentive, patient, inspiring and entertaining. Both Jingi and Guy are genuine people with great things coming their way! I purchased the chai filled chocolates, pecan somethings, caramel somethings, some sort of fudge bar with chocolate on the bottom and CHOCOLATE SHOTS. These plastic shots contained a thumb size amount of pure raw chocolate. IT WAS SO GOOD. I had to turn around and by the squeeze-bottle of chocolate. Just amazing! I still can't believe that it has taken me 24 years to find a chocolate I can swallow and enjoy! It is truly spectacular! My Mother, Father and Sister cannot believe that I didn't have a reaction to the chocolate. My Mother (who is chocolate obsessed) was so exceedingly enthusiastic that she decided (for me) that this chocolate must be available at my wedding (which I wasn't aware I was engaged). However, I must say I would agree with her, Pure Chocolate by Jingi is exquisite, sophisticated, and delicate; everything I would want present at a wedding reception. read more

Last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to a Meet the Maker event from Yelp with Jinji and her father at Pure Chocolate by Jinji. Jinji is a wonderful woman who is passionate about her work and her customers. The chocolate is incredible! Great blends of chocolate and vegan fillings. My anti-vegan wife loved the tasting so much she left with a number of purchased chocolates so that she could continue to enjoy at home. Don't let "vegan" scare you off - chocolate is great stuff!! Come and give it a try! read more

Pure Chocolate By Jinji - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Really really good!! Anything you try will amaze you - but for anyone who likes to stay vegan and/or raw this place is the best. The owners are really personable and tenement you as well read more

The chocolate is really delicious. Plus, it isn't overly sweet. I love that the flavors of the chocolate change as you eat it. For example, I tasted this spicy chocolate mixture. At first you tasted ginger and then there was a subtle heat toward the end. I had other pieces, too, that slowly changed flavors in your mouth. I honestly think the concept and experience are unique. Be warned, though. Each small piece of chocolate runs for about $2-3. However, it's because it is all handmade. I saw a young lady making some in full view. I think you should try them out at least once to see what you personally think. read more

So there's plenty of chocolate out there, and that's a great thing. But if you really want to taste what a boutique chocolatier can do with raw ingredients, you need to search out Jinji. Because what you'll get is a truly raw, dark chocolate experience, made with serious love and a whole helluva-lot of passion. Jinji works the 72-76% cacao range with her chocolates, and no matter how light they may end up (due to different nut butters being mixed in), they are all dairy free and 100% dark chocolate. I'm not going to lie, I have a bit of a problem with chocolate. That part of the normal brain that says "yeah, you've had enough' doesn't seem to work well for me. So after having the opportunity to meet Jinji and hear her discuss her history, her chocolate, and even watch her make some...I kind of went nuts. I think we bought (at least) one of everything in the case...oops. I'll do a quick rundown of some standouts. Chocolate Shot - yep, it's pure chocolate in a small plastic tube. It would be silly to pass this up, because 1.) it's a shot of chocolate (and you're not dumb, you wouldn't pass up a good thing), 2.) It's the perfect way to taste the essence of what it's all about. You can add a lot of things to chocolate, but here's your chance to taste the un-adultered foundation upon which Pure Chocolate is built. Pot de Creme - I'm not sure I spelled that correctly. It's a small plastic tub (think jell-o shot sized) filled with creamy chocolate..almost like a pudding, but far more refined. This stuff is ON POINT. It has a variety of flavors including a bit of cayenne pepper for a backend kick. Just awesome. I could get a big spoon and put the whole thing down in one chomp, but it's better to take the smallest little baby spoon you can find, and savor each little bite. In doing so, you'll catch all the different layers of flavors. Fluffernutter Truffles - They're VERY light, and have a tendency to melt much sooner than the darker truffles. They even got a bit of cacao butter slickness to them, making them hard to pick up. They're more mild than the other truffles, but just as complex and delicious. You'll be amazed at the chocolate flavour, but much less bitterness. This is a go to for a younger kid that wants something, but wouldn't appreciate the dark chocolate the way someone with a more refined palate would. Chai Truffles - These dark truffles have a small amount of 'chai' filling. Delicious and complex. I can't explain the filling, but it's a great. No matter what you get, you want to savor it; really take the time to contemplate the flavors and appreciate how they work together. Jinji said it best, "nothing is done on accident, everything we make is very deliberate." If you're like me, and prone to popping a whole chocolate in your mouth, try to break that habit and take a small bite. Let it melt in your mouth, role it around, and enjoy the layers of flavors you're going to experience. I admit, that sounds oddly sexual and yet delightfully cheesy, but I'm sorry, I can't think of any other way to describe it. Just trust me on that. Jinji (and her staff) really do have a passion about what they're doing, and if you try (or even if you don't), you're going to taste that passion in her product. Jinji has a limited distribution (look for her chocolate in MOMs Organic Markets), but every piece of chocolate you find is coming out of her E Belvedere Ave shop. It's all handcrafted, and there's no huge production machine pumping these things out. It's a truly boutique, and very special chocolate experience. Like most chocolate, this all comes with a NUT ALLERGY warning. But for real, Jinji uses a lot of nut butters. That's about the only dietary restriction but which you'll probably be limited. No dairy in the mix, so you're good on that front. read more

OMG! I walked pass this chocolate shop and wanted to support it because it's black owned. Jinji and her dad started the company. I had the chocolate truffle and salted chocolate and both were great. It was a sweet taste that you can't buy from your local store. I look forward to visiting again to rack up. read more