Jina Yoo's Asian Bistro - Posted 10/25/07
2200 Forum Blvd, Unit 109
Columbia, MO, 65203
573-446-5462
Jina Yoo’s is not just an inspiring restaurant in Mid Missouri, she is also a person. Jina Yoo has spent most of her life as a musician but her greater passion has shown through in creating culinary masterpieces. A great dining out experience is about many different things then just food.
Jina began cooking for her extended family at a young age after lessons
from her Grandmother. Since living in Columbia she shares her enthusiasm
for what she calls “Asian food with a twist”.
Jina Yoo’s is bathed in dark colors and woods to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Square wood grain tables sit throughout the dining room, which is slightly divided by curvy walls. A hip bar sits to the right and a separate dining room, for private parties, is disguised to the left.
The menus hold an array of new and fresh ideas. Jina Yoo’s covers a wide array of Asian specialties including an impressive selection of Nigiri Sushi and Sashimi. Tilapia in Soy Ginger Sauce, Drunken Salmon with fried greens, and Bibimbap are just the tip of the iceberg when looking over Jina Yoo’s menu. The Sushi includes signature rolls like Treasure Island, Tiger roll, and the Passionate Shrimp roll.
The Spicy Salmon roll that showed up disappeared quickly. Fresh Salmon
rolled tight in rice and topped with a spicy mix. The Koni, rice topped
with succulent crabmeat, also make a quick exit. A few selections of Sushi
make a great way to start your meal at Jina Yoo’s.
All meals at Jina Yoo’s are made fresh with every order and the attention to detail is outstanding. Tonkatsu was my entrée of choice for the evening. It consists of a Pork cutlet breaded with Panko and fried then served with a ground sesame sauce and shredded Kimchi coleslaw. The crispy crust lead to a moist selection of pork that was prepared flawlessly. The sesame sauce contrasted the Asian flavor from the Panko and the coleslaw added a cool crunch. Jina Yoo’s Grilled Chicken is also receiving rave reviews. The chicken is sided with Asian vegetables on a bed of Balsamic Teriyaki sauce.
Apple Pie Toban Yaki is on the dessert menu and upon the suggestion
of our waitress we decided to try it out. Granny Smith apples mixed with
Oatmeal Ginger clusters and caramel or under a generous helping of vanilla
ice cream. If that’s not enough it’s brought out each time
bubbling in a warm clay pot. I 
could tell you how amazing it was but you
must go find out for yourself. Another Jina Yoo’s favorite for desserts
is the Gorilla in the Kitchen, a mixture of sweet potatoes, persimmons,
and bananas.
I am still a little green when it comes to the adventurous side of Sushi
but Jina Yoo’s is an awesome, hip, exciting place that Mid Missouri
should be glad to finally have. I have been back twice in just the last
3 weeks and see myself going back many more times. Jina Yoo has created
an outstanding restaurant that shouldn’t be at the top of your must
try list. It should be at the top of your must try tonight list!
Adam L.
Food Evangelist
foodevangelist@midmodiningguide.com
MidMoDiningGuide.com
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