Restaurant: Jin Cook
Location: 3001 Wilshire Blvd Ste C Santa Monica, CA 90403
Date: October 11, 2024
Cuisine: Family Style Korean
Rating: Great to have in Santa Monica
I haven’t made many AFF recently due to work, but when one came up just a mile away at this new Korean spot I had to jump.
Jincook on Wilshire Boulevard offers an authentic Korean soul food experience with a clean and inviting atmosphere, serving up hearty and flavorful dishes like the tender Braised Beef Short Rib and the popular Rose Tteokbokki, all accompanied by friendly service and generous portions of banchan.
It’s rare to see a “real” Korean restaurant this far west, so it’s very cool to get one here at 30th and Wilshire.
Homestyle menu.
Pleasant interior.
Radish kimchee is a traditional Korean side dish that features crisp, vibrant radishes fermented in a tangy, spicy brine. The balance of heat and acidity awakens the palate, while the bright, ruby-red hue invites curiosity. Each bite is a delightful crunch, releasing a burst of umami and a refreshing, peppery finish that lingers pleasantly on the tongue, making it a captivating accompaniment to any meal.
Spinach Banchan. A traditional Korean side dish that highlights the delicate balance of flavors, this banchan features tender spinach, seasoned with sesame oil, garlic, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The vibrant green of the spinach is a feast for the eyes, while the nutty aroma of sesame oil wafts invitingly. Each bite delivers a subtle crunch, perfectly melding with the earthy notes of garlic, creating a harmonious interplay of texture and taste that is both refreshing and satisfying.
Classic Cabbage Kimchee: A traditional Korean dish that is both spicy and tangy, with a delightful crunch. The vibrant red hue of the chili flakes contrasts beautifully with the crisp green cabbage, creating a visual feast. The complex layers of flavor unfold with each bite, revealing the fermented depth and a subtle umami richness that lingers on the palate. The aroma is a tantalizing mix of garlic and ginger, inviting you to savor its bold character.
Onion Banchan is a delightful side dish featuring pickled onions that offer a tangy crunch with every bite. The vibrant hues of the pickled onions contrast beautifully against the sleek, minimalist presentation, while their sharp, slightly sweet aroma wafts invitingly. Each piece is a burst of flavor, balancing acidity and sweetness, and providing a refreshing palate cleanser that enhances the overall dining experience.
Marinated Dumpling. Fried dumping tossed with sweet soy sauce. The crispy exterior gives way to a tender, savory filling, while the rich aroma of the sweet soy sauce envelops the senses. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of textures, with the dumpling’s golden-brown crust contrasting beautifully against the luscious, umami-packed interior.
Steamed Dumpling. Steamed juicy pork dumpling. The delicate, translucent skin cradles a savory filling that bursts with umami flavors, while the fragrant steam releases a tantalizing aroma that beckons you closer. Each bite reveals a harmonious balance of tender meat and a hint of sweetness, enveloped in a warm, comforting embrace that lingers on the palate.
Korean Pancake (Seafood/Bulgogi): Korean style pancake with green onion and choice of your protein. The golden-brown exterior boasts a satisfying crispness that contrasts beautifully with the tender, savory filling. Each bite reveals a harmonious blend of flavors, enhanced by the fragrant notes of green onion, while the umami richness of the seafood or bulgogi provides a delightful depth that lingers on the palate.
Army Stew (Budae-Jjigae): Instant ramen noodle, Spam, ham, rice cake, vege and American cheese in spicy soup. This hearty dish is a delightful symphony of textures, where the chewy noodles intertwine with the soft, savory Spam and the slight bounce of rice cakes, creating a satisfying mouthfeel. The spicy broth, fragrant with a medley of spices, envelops each ingredient in a warm embrace, while the melted American cheese adds a creamy richness that beautifully balances the heat.
Cheese Curry Katsu. Cheese stuffed pork katsu served with rice and curry on hot stone. The golden-brown crust of the katsu invites you in, while the rich aroma of the curry wafts through the air, promising a warm embrace of flavors. As you cut into the tender pork, the melted cheese oozes out, creating a delightful contrast of textures that harmonizes beautifully with the fragrant curry and fluffy rice, resulting in a comforting yet sophisticated dish that warms both the body and soul.
Jalepeno Cheese Curry Katsu: Cheese and jalapeno stuffed pork katsu served with rice and curry on a hot stone. The golden-brown katsu, with its crisp exterior giving way to a succulent, spicy filling, offers a delightful contrast in textures. The aromatic curry, rich with umami, envelops the dish, while the vibrant rice provides a gentle balance, creating a harmonious experience that entices the senses with every bite.
Rose Tteokbokki: Spicy & creamy tteokbokki with sausage, bacon, mozzarella cheese with fried egg. — and blow torch action. The dish presents a vibrant hue of rosy pink, inviting you to dive into its luscious depths. Each bite reveals the perfect balance of heat and richness, while the mozzarella stretches enticingly, harmonizing with the savory notes of sausage and bacon, all crowned by the silkiness of the fried egg.
Garlic Suyuk (Sous vide pork beef bone, sous vide pork belly, Seol Lung Tang broth with homemade ground garlic sauce). This dish delivers a comforting embrace of rich, savory flavors, where the tender, succulent pork belly melts in your mouth, harmonizing beautifully with the umami-infused broth. The aromatic notes of garlic elevate the experience, while the delicate balance of textures—creamy, velvety broth against the hearty pork—invites you to savor each luscious bite.
B.B.Q Beef Rib (LA-Galbi): Marinated BBQ Beef Rib. The deep mahogany glaze glistens enticingly, promising a burst of flavor with every tender bite. With a smoky-sweet aroma wafting through the air, the rich, savory profile of the beef is perfectly complemented by the subtle tang of the marinade, creating a harmonious balance that lingers delightfully on the palate.
Bibimbab Hot Stone. Rice, assort vege, kimchi and go chu jang sauce on hot stone pot. The vibrant colors of the assorted vegetables create a visually stunning dish, while the heat of the stone pot enhances the rich, umami flavors of the go chu jang sauce. Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch from the vegetables, a subtle warmth from the kimchi, and a delightful depth that lingers on the palate.
In the heart of culinary artistry lies the sumptuous Kimchi Fried Rice, a vibrant tapestry of golden grains interspersed with the fiery reds and rich greens of its ingredients. The dish emanates a tantalizing aroma, a harmonious blend of fermented tang and savory undertones that beckon the senses. Each grain, perfectly al dente, yields a satisfying crunch that gives way to tender morsels of chicken, while the gentle heat of the kimchi dances playfully on the palate, invigorating the taste buds with its piquant zest. A whisper of sesame oil adds a luxurious silkiness, harmonizing the textures into a delightful medley that lingers long after the last bite.
Mushroom Japchae: Sauteed glass noodle with assorted mushroom finished with truffle oil. The earthy aroma of the mushrooms beautifully intertwines with the luxurious essence of truffle oil, creating a symphony of umami that dances on the palate. Each bite reveals the silky texture of the glass noodles, complemented by the vibrant colors and subtle crunch of the mushrooms, making for an exquisite culinary experience.
Jin Cook was quite tasty. Pretty similar to a similar style place in K-Town. This one is nicer and more expensive, but the food is almost on par — so great to have it.
