Yakitori Jinbei Review

I have posted a number of photos and tweets surrounding one of my new favorite spots in the metro Atlanta area. I first went to Yakitori Jinbei after reading Blissful Glutton’s reviews of their Tonkatsu Ramen, I highly recommend checking out her post as her photos will do the food much more justice than anything I’ve captured with my phone during my visits. To be fair, the first time I went I thought it was enjoyable but it took me a few visits with an opportunity to move through the menu a little more completely before becoming hooked.

Jinbei has the reputation among most foodies I have spoken to as the premier location in metro Atlanta for real authentic ramen. Obviously this is not your collegiate budget-minded sodium bomb that many are familiar with but instead fresh soft noodles in a choice of two very distinct broths.
Jinbei offers both a shoyu, soy-based broth in addition to the richer tonkatsu, a pork-based broth. I am personally partial to the latter, the abundance of the rich pork flavors adds a lot more body to the ramen than the shoya does alone in my opinion. They are both delicious so I recommend making a pair of trips to decide which is your favorite.

As the name of the restaurant implies, ramen is not the only house speciality; Jinbei prides itself on it’s yakitori, skewers of meat and vegetables grilled in house over Binchō-tan charcoal. I am far from a vegetarian as this blog has probably led you to understand and Jinbei reinforces my belief that meat is best prepared cooked over an open-flame. Jinbei offers many yakitori combos of either chicken, pork, and vegetables as well as an a la carte menu offering a little more diversity with cuts like chicken skin, gizzard, and a chicken meatball that is absolutely phenomenal. Seriously, I’m talking about the ability to order grilled chicken skin, what could be better!?

Jinbei is not the most frugal location, especially considering it’s location OTP in a strip mall surrounded by numerous chains, however like anything related to food, I typically find ‘you get what you pay for.’ I feel i am nearing achieving regular status at Jinbei and writing this review is only encouraging me to visit sometime soon this week and hopefully make that a reality.