Jinjuu

Our pick of the best Asian restaurants in London, this new venture from Korean-American celebrity chef Judy Joo (Iron Chef UK's only female winner) has just arrived off Carnaby Street. Promising a fun, modern and informal dining experience that never compromises on quality, Jinjuu ('pearl') will showcase Judy's bi-cultural heritage with a quirky, adventurous take on Korean street food.
Over two floors, and in the heart of Soho, Judy's team will serve up Korean comfort food (her signature is the deceptively simple Korean fried chicken) in flawlessly turned-out surrounds. In the upstairs bar-restaurant, Korean Anju (bar snacks with a twist) will be served up alongside a selection of the finest Asian beers and a signature cocktail menu crafted by Kristian Breivik, formerly of Portobello's Trailer Happiness. The Seoul Sour with ginseng, honey and lavender sounds enticing, but be sure to leave room for a plum- and cherry-infused South Korean Fling. Sip on them at the illuminated bar, or take a seat on the outside terrace (maybe we'll save that one 'til Spring).
The downstairs restaurant will serve up sharing platters that celebrate South Korea's traditions of social dining, as well as barbecued meats straight from the open grill (there's even a little Ko-Mex fusion on the menu) – take a grill-side counter seat if you want to watch the team in action.
Jinjuu's opening coincides with the launch of Judy's new TV show Korean Food Made Simple, soon to air on the Food Network. Made Simple will see Judy share her own takes on dishes from the bustling markets and street kitchens of South Korea, and it's that Seoul-ful take on the food of her homeland that will be served up at Jinjuu, as she looks to bring her experience at some of the world's finest establishments to the UK.