Jingo

*Sad face*
Unilocal, thou art a lifesaver. If it wasn’t for you, I would have driven here with my empty stomach only to go back home hungry. Come back Jingo, there is nothing like you on Ventura Blvd!
I ate at Jingo way before I even heard of Gyu-​Kaku. The menu at that time was a la carte and the high quality meat reminded me of Manpuku. Food was so tasty and our bill which included appetizers, steamed rice, lots of meat, and alcohol was about $ 160 plus tip for two.
I remember the last visit, we came on a Friday night and were happy to be seated with no wait. We learned the business was ran by new management. What surprised us even more was the AYCE for $ 20. You pay an extra $ 5 if you want seafood. Hmm… this is TOO cheap, maybe they sacrificed the quality of meat/​fish? *chomp chomp swallow* NOPE the quality was just as good and the price… spectacular. We ate like two hungry fat kids.
Here is a list of ayce items for $ 25 that came to our table:
HUGE plate of yummy salad
Miso soups
Steamed rice
Fresh asparagus, sweet white corns, squash, red bell peppers
Egg roll, fried dumplings, shumai
Japanese sausages (so cute and small)
Shrimps, scallops, salmon, two cuts of premium beef and pork belly
Our table was covered with so many plates. Ferry, our waitress, would remove the empty plates and bring another until we told her we’re stuffed. Here comes the best part… she will box the rest of the food for you to take home and cook later.

Yeah – this place is closed. It’s a Persian Restaurant now called Buna, I think.

Great restaurant!, thinking of this place makes my mouth water! The Shrimp is excellent, the meat was so tender and had great marbling! We went with the $ 29.99 option. Well worth it! Definitely will go again when in the area!

I went here because it came out while searching Shabu. It ended up being a japanese restaurant serving Korean style cook it yourself meats. This place is delicious comparing it with same style bigger franchise names. They have an AYCE option but we went with the combinations which came with salad, gyoza, edamame, rice and your choice meat All the meats we choice were great with so much flavor. Next time i’ll try the shabu.

This was a happy accident. We meant to eat at a shabu shabu place and Unilocaled this only to find out it’s a Japanese BBQ place (but they do have a shabu menu! Just ask for it). The price is decent and the portions are a good size. There were 3 of us and we each ordered a separate plate of meat, harami, tritip, & Kobe. The meal came with a large salad, gyoza & dumplings, veggies, edamame, & miso soup. Very filling! The staff was really nice and the atmosphere had a lounge-​y type feel to it.

Cool feel, GREAT marinated beef options, but small on the cooking space, but even with a group of four there was enough room for everyone to put something they wanted on the grill. The fact that this place is an AYCE for 19.99 (we went 2 options up to the $ 29.99, more options, more food) made this place even better. So much food and unlike some AYCEs where the ask that you finish what they bring before they bring more made or eyes large with delight! I think we had 5 LARGE plates of beef and a HUGE plate of salad with it…
A good size also, 8 booths, 2 kinda bar areas for couples and what looked to be a patio also for those who like the luncheon sun.
I’d like to come here if i had that grillin’ feeling, till it’s gone, gone, gone cause it’s in Encino, and for us close to the ⁴⁰⁵⁄₁₀₁ makes it a hop away.
ENJOY!

lately i’ve become really sensitive to bad service. i was talking with the bf the other day, and we decided that we are the kind of people that will pay for good service… its really freakin important. i mean i am PAYING your ass to be nice to me, don’t give me freakin attitude. so the service at Jingo really pissed me off.
we went with some friends, for one of their birthdays. The prices are high, and the food is ok. def. not as good as other japanese steak places, or korean bbq. but the clincher was the service. our waitress had the biggest size stick up her ass. i mean, if she was grieving the death of a family member, i guess its ok… but i’m pretty sure she was just a bitch.
we paid way too much money for shitty service. i’m pissed.

I heard the restaurant served Kobe beef, but I think they mistook it for Kalbi beef. In fact, I don’t think owners know what Kalbi is… because they gave it to us after already serving what they call short ribs. Isn’t Kalbi and short ribs the same thing?
What was Japanese about it besides the chopsticks and rice and our server happened to be Japanese. The owners aren’t even Japanese, they’re middle eastern so maybe that’s why it’s not really Japanese cuisine?
I had all you can eat for $ 29.95 and so did the rest of my party.
Overall, the food was delicious!!!

Debating whether to give this place three or four stars… nor am I sure what makes this place Japanese. Sure, they had chopsticks and sake (and I think the sauce was some sort of sesame-​soy-​ginger concoction, the actual food didn’t seem Japanese… or even very Asian at all. I heard the owners, who are not Asian and have a neighboring Middle Eastern restaurant, took the place over when the previous owners left. I also heard the place serves Kobe beef, but it’s actually Kalbi beef, you know, marinated short ribs. Funnily, the owners served us this after giving us different meat that they called short ribs. I think somebody’s confused over there about Korean names… at the Japanese BBQ?
Don’t get me wrong… marinades are absolutely delicious, and the cuts of meat are of very high quality, which makes the food really good and why I give the place four stars. The reason I’d consider giving it three stars, in addition to the above, is that I’m not a fan of going out and paying to cook… I can do that in my own kitchen and I guarantee nearly all chefs are much better than I. Should I have tipped myself?

Came here on a Monday night (around 7pm) and it was empty. I don’t mean there weren’t many people empty, I mean the entire meal it was just us. A couple came in when we were finishing up, but that was it. I’m guessing it may have something to do with Passover, because otherwise I can’t imagine how they would stay in business.
Got the $ 19.95 all-​you-​can-​eat special. The food itself was good. As always, I liked some meat better than others (the beef was the best) but that’s just a preference. It was fairly well cut, good seasoning, etc… No real complaints there.
However, some things just didn’t make sense. For example, she brought out all of the vegetables to grill before she brought the meat. Way before. So we were done with our vegetables before the meat even got to us. Second, the tongs that you use to cook with were super uncomfortable. I felt like I was in one of those arcade games where you have to use that clumsy claw to pick up a toy. And lastly, the service was horrible. For the fact that we were the only ones there, I felt really ignored. Water was not refilled unless we asked, twice. Check didn’t come even though we were clearly waiting, our food had run out, and we stacked up our dishes at the edge of the table.

So much food! All of the meat was tender and delicious. We each (3 people) ordered the 29.95 all you can eat because it had the shrimp and salmon but it was sooo much food. I thought it meant (like the 2÷27÷10 commenter said) that we could specify what we wanted from that list (or at least what we wanted to start with) but instead we mentioned what we did NOT want and they started bringing everything else out — one big plate at a time. Although the guy next to us ASKED to start with one cut of meat and they didn’t mind. We just didn’t think to ask.
Anyway, main point?: food was delicious and a LOT. Only two servers, so things got a little confusing but they were still running around with smiles. Very helpful and kind.
Can’t wait to go back and order the shabu shabu (which they said to call an hour in advance to make sure it’s ready).

Go here. Please. I’ve been doing my part, where are you?
My family has been coming to Jingo for years, and have seen it through several changes of ownership without ever suffering in quality. We’re always terrified when we see that it isn’t overflowing with patrons, because it would be such a loss to us and to our part of the valley if Jingo were to go out of business.
The most recent change in ownership has come with an all-​you-​can-​eat menu option for $ 19.95. It was once $ 16.95 and went up to $ 19.95 in the last month or so. We were actually pleased with this development because the amount and quality of food we got had us worried the place would hemorrhage money.
The AYCE option seems to offer different things each time we go. There is always galbi, and lots of it, but the other items are variable. We don’t even look at the menu. We just order the AYCE and watch as they bring plates and plates of food. They do ask about preferences — for instance, they’ll ask before bringing a whole plate of liver (which, yes please!). To start with, you get a nice fresh salad with creamy light sesame dressing and miso soup. These come out every time, along with other items that change from day to day. We’ve gotten a variety of vegetable skewers, including squash, corn, and onions, as well as gyoza and shumai. When you’re ready for meat, you get meat, and plenty of it, along with kimchi that is surprisingly tasty. We’ve gotten garlic shrimp, chicken, pork belly, ribeye, scallops, salmon, liver, sausage… all the meat is quality high and above what you would get at most AYCE places in Koreatown. It’s also better and cheaper than Gyu-​Kaku, which I suppose is the more apt comparison as Jingo is not Korean-​run. I don’t know, maybe the rent on Ventura is cheaper, because the value is just miles better at Jingo than it is elsewhere.
The atmosphere is also wonderful, very sleek but casual enough to bring your whole family, kiddies and all. The service is fantastic, both friendly and efficient, and again, the food is well-​priced and delicious. Please come here. Let’s keep one of the best restaurants in the valley afloat.

I liked the ambience of this place and the music and such. Plus, it wasn’t crowded at all on a Friday night. We went with the all you can eat $ 29.95 because it had the shrimp and salmon in the list of things you could all-​you-​could-​eat.
However, things got very confusing after we ordered because I was expecting to specify the things I’d like to be brought out, like say, lets start with rice, veggies, and chicken. No, they just started bringing food, then more food, then more. It was like a personal buffet. We didn’t get to pick or anything. They just brought whatever. It was all good, but still.
My BF and I ordered two all-​you-​could-​eat, one for each of us, because we assumed you weren’t allowed to share. But the portions were huge. They started us with some yummy soup, some wontons and shrimp cakes, and a humongous salad. Then they brought out a huge plate of beef, like 12 pieces. Followed by a huge plate of shrimp and another huge plate of salmon.
I wished the waitress would have warned us about the portion size, but then I guess that would have reduced her check total.
So, in hindsight, I may have gotten the smaller all you can eat option for $ 17.95. The upside is that the waitress let us cook what was left on our plates and take it home.
And I don’t want to forget to mention that the food was very delicious. The shrimp was super spicy tho, but still good. I have a big container of leftovers in my fridge right now and I can’t wait to get home tonight and obliterate it with my mouth.

I don’t want this place to go out of business. Ownership seems to have changed quite a few times, but I like all the owners and the food every time I’ve gone here. Currently, the 16.95 all you can eat deal is a great deal. You get a way better selection of meats than Gyu Kaku for a cheaper price.

5 STAR all the way!!! I absolutely LOVED Jingo! BEST Japanese food for the BEST prices you can find. Beautiful ambiance, classy décor, VERY clean, adorable patio. Subtle music piped in to set the mood for a wonderful dining experience. Extremely polite, friendly staff. If you want high quality food at an extremely affordable price GO TO JINGO!!! I guarantee you will LOVE this hidden treasure! New ownership knows what they’re doing! The meat here was top quality n the tempura was my favorite
Don’t bother with gyu-​kaku, which is not as clean, not in the best location (a mall?) and the prices are pretty high for, in my opinion, sub-​par food. Try Jingo!

This place had very fresh and cheap Real Kobe Beef. We tried the small platter of Kobe beef that gave us a taste of 5 different types beef. And if you like eating raw, they gave you a small dish of beef Sashimi with a raw egg on top. My boyfriends favorite but for someone who doesn’t like slimy stuff. I stayed away from it.
The staff was very friendly and efficient. The type where if you turned your head to even glance at them, they came running to ask if you needed something.

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. :(

4.5 STARS
I first discovered Japanese bbq at Gyu-​Kaku, and was turned on to Jingo through Unilocal.
(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…

Now, I’ve been a long-​time visitor to Unilocal,but never before have I felt the need to review a restaurant until my experience last night. As someone mentioned in an earlier review, Gochi has now become Jingo. The feel of the place is definitely a little more hip than before, and I enjoy the ambiance. The food is also really good, definitely worth the price.
But be warned… this place does not have their act together yet. I don’t know what it was, but the staff just seemed completely overwhelmed. It took 45 minutes for them to serve us the scallops and skirt steak we had ordered. Now, I’m no genius, but I highly doubt it takes that long to put raw food on a plate. Out of the five of us who ate there, each person was waiting for at least 1 or 2 orders for a ridiculously long amount of time. I’m hoping that we just went on an off night, but if this horrendous service continues, I doubt this place will remain in business for much longer, which is really sad because the food was great.

This is a great place to eat, very authentic… it is the closest that I have been able to find to true traditional Japanese food. When I lived in Japan we used to go out and get this all the time and I missed it until I went here about 2 months ago. The only thing about it is that you could end up spending alot of money, but you get what you pay for.
Food was great. Service was great, everything check it out!