This winter, Korean-American chef and presenter Judy Joo will open her second London restaurant, Jinjuu Mayfair, situated on the former site of Babbo on Albemarle Street. The new venue is born of popular demand and complements the original Soho site with a refined twist– appealing to both local business clientele and visitors alike – to deliver a fun, modern and convivial Korean dining experience to the thriving Mayfair social scene.
Seating 76 over two floors, Jinjuu Mayfair is Judy’s third venture after Hong Kong and the original Jinjuu in Soho, and is similarly a creative collaboration between Judy (Chef Patron), Andrew Hales (Executive Chef), Kristian Breivik (Group Beverage Manager) and Kia Joorabchian (Founder of Babbo Group).
Within the new Mayfair venue, Judy will continue to offer the same acclaimed Korean cuisine showcasing her interpretation of gutsy Korean street food and a “Seoul-ful” experience, allowing guests to enjoy what they already know and love.
As the culinary talent responsible for Jinjuu’s menu creations since the very beginning, Joo has built on the current signature repertoire featured across the other two sites with the introduction of a wide variety of new dishes, unique to Jinjuu Mayfair.
New menu items include Joo’s Hoe Dup Bab (slices of raw and fresh seafood with signature Korean dressing); and barbecued skewers – Iberico pork or prime rib-eye steak – marinated in classic Korean barbeque style. Desserts such as Joo’s sophisticated shaved ice Bing Su – think raisins soaked in rum served with gourmet brownie bites and mango – provide an indulgent finish.
An Asian beer selection and an extensive cocktail menu – created by Jinjuu’s award winning Group Bar Manager and mixologist Kristian Breivik, previously at Trailer Happiness – embraces the typical Korean spirit Soju. The Soju cocktail recipes will offer delicious low-calorie alternatives with fun and casual presentations. Special highlights include Breivik’s Jinjuu classics: the Soju Sour (Soju, ginseng spirit, honey, lavender and fresh yuja juice); Spiced Kimchi Mary (a mix of black pepper and celery infused Soju, bespoke kimchi spice mix, and fresh tomato juice); and new creations such as X.P Plum Snap (Single rice whisky, Hwayo soju, Korean plum wine, ginger & lemon) and Double Truffle (White truffle infused Soju, yuja sake, clove & smoked sea salt).
Complementing the creative cocktail menu is an impressive wine list preselected through a dedicated tasting session by Breivik, including a selection of fine wines served by the glass. Kristian and his team have also announced the addition of a large selection of whiskies from around the world with focus on labels from the East, such as Togouchi, Nikka, Suntory, Kavalan and Hwayo X.P.
Jinjuu Mayfair officially opens its doors on 31 October and is open daily from lunch through to dinner (12PM – 11PM). The bar at Jinjuu is open daily from 12 noon and remains open until midnight. (Thursday-Sunday).
Located on Albemarle Street adjacent to Dover Street, Mayfair, this new dining destination is a welcome addition to London’s diverse restaurant scene. In keeping with the high standards of excellence and innovation established in the other Jinjuu venues, the service style is more formal than the traditional Jinjuu experience but certainly no less fun.