If you’ve been following along since my last visit to Jinmi, you’ll know this spot has long been my go-to for ganjang gejang in Vancouver. Now, Jinmi has relocated and with it comes a refreshed menu that leans even deeper into the traditions of Korean raw seafood while keeping their signature marinated crabs front and center. This is not your typical Korean restaurant. Jinmi offers dining by reservation only and they are taking high quality seafood and elevating it with modern flavours and technique. If you’re looking for a spot with high quality seafood and Korean cuisine – Jinmi is the place to be.
Jinmi – New Menu Items for Fall
To usher in the new season, Jinmi has launched several new seasonal items:
- Korean Style Grilled Eel ($78.00) – 1 eel, house made soy sauce, ssam (wrap)
- Oyster Pancake ($42.00) – seasonal oyster, egg, watercress or water parsley
- Crab Soup ($68.00) – 1 female crab, 3 season seafood, crown daisy, mushroom, radish, zucchini, onion
- Soy-Marinated Crab Set ($62) + Upgraded Uni Seaweed Soup ($38.00)
Perhaps one of the most visually stunning dishes I’ve seen this year, the Oyster Pancake is a must order for oyster lovers. Unlike the more common kimchi or green onion pancakes, this one is all about highlighting the oysters. Egg binds together plump seasonal oysters with watercress or water parsley. The result is crispy-edges with plump and soft oysters. Enjoy on it’s own without sauce to really savour the oyster flavours. However, the addition of chojang (spicy-sweet chili pepper dipping sauce) brings a nice contrast of flavours.
Another highlight from the new menu is the Crab Soup. This soup is so flavourful and soul warming. One female crab is stewed with three seasonal seafoods, crown daisy, mushrooms, radish, zucchini, and onions. It would go perfect with a steaming hot bowl of rice.
Eel isn’t something you see on every Korean menu in Vancouver, but Jinmi is serious about it. The Korean Style Grilled Eel comes with a full eel, brushed in their house soy sauce, and served with wraps (ssam). It’s smoky, slightly sweet, and best eaten wrapped in lettuce with just a touch of sauce.
And you can’t go to Jinmi without ordering their signature soy marinated crabs. They have just introduced their Jinmi Birthday Bapsang which is only available by reservation (3 days notice required). It features seasonal uni seaweed soup, seasonal vegetable rice, 3 side dishes and grilled seasonal seafood.
On my visit, I opted to just add the uni seaweed soup to try ($38.00). It tastes like the ocean with a very briney flavour from the uni. It’s my first time trying cooked uni, and I think my preference will still be eating it raw.
Worth a Try?
With its new home and menu additions, Jinmi continues to be Vancouver’s (and my go to) destination for ganjang gejang and more. Whether you’re indulging in soy-marinated crabs, spooning out crab soup, or trying Korean grilled eel for the first time, this is a restaurant that deserves a spot on your seafood bucket list. Jinmi proves once again that Vancouver is lucky to have such a rare gem of Korean cuisine.
JINMI
Address: 782 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC V6B 2R0
Website: https://www.jinmidenman.ca/
