JuRin Japanese Restaurant

This is a long review, but thorough. If the only hibachi experience I ever went to was JuRin, this would probably be somewhere between a 3 and 4 star review. However, I have been to numerous different hibachi restaurants in IL and in other states, and I have also been here 3 times on different nights, so I have a good basis for comparison. I am no food snob, but I have experienced the entire range of horrible and amazing restaurants. I will try to keep opinions out and just stick with facts as I have experienced them.
I will start with the good.
The price: JuRin is cheaper than most others like this. However, that is balanced out with smaller portions. Elsewhere, my wife and I need to take 2 large containers of leftovers home between us. Here, we have 1 medium size container between the two of us. If you want to spend less on a meal that still feels fancy, this is great. Other similar places might give you a bit of a sticker shock by comparison. The price to portion ratio is the same on both the hibachi and sushi. Very good if you want to try many different things.
The mustard sauce: Most places will give you a mustard sauce that is quite heavy with mustard and horseradish, which is quite pungent and overpowers your food. The sauce here is light, smooth, and reminds me of a Japanese version of honey-​mustard. It has a lighter garlic and mustard flavor that does not detract from the other flavors of your meal. If anything it makes the meal far better. It is great poured on fried rice and nearly all other parts of your dish. No other restaurant makes the mustard sauce quite like this (it’s amazing).
Middle of the road:
Service: I would say it’s average considering that this is essentially a strip mall based hibachi/​sushi place. I don’t feel like I am getting bad service, but it is not anything great either. When at a cooking table, I may not get a refill right away. You have to ask for chopsticks since they are not given automatically. If you do go to a cooking table, you will have to ask for a sushi menu as that is also not automatically given. The sushi menu is a small piece of paper with checkboxes and names of items. There are no descriptions or pictures so ordering may be difficult for some. Most places have an ingredient list and sometimes pictures. When ordering sushi at a cooking table, it is usually delivered very quickly. This seems like an overall positive, but does make me wonder how much of it is pre-​prepared (not entirely fresh). There have been rolls that seem fresh and others not so much. Their salad dressing tastes strange, but every place does it different; it’s not bad, but I am not a fan. Their appetizer soup is pretty good.
The not so good: I always order the filet and one other item. Between sharing with my wife and friends, I have tried all the ‘proteins’ at least twice. The scallops are fatty/​mushy. Not firm at all and the texture just seems strange. Also, you only get 4 pieces that are a bit on the small side. If you want a more filling dinner, do not go with all seafood; mix it with steak or chicken. Most of the times food is at least a little overcooked. My medium rare filet was only slightly more tender than my wifes medium cooked regular steak. I find it a bit of a red flag if it is difficult to tell that you are eating filet vs regular steak. The chicken is always dry and my friends (who are regulars) stopped ordering it. The garlic topping for the seafood/​shrimp is always very dry. We had a Mexican cook the last time we went here. Not necessarily a bad thing, but does take away from the authenticity and immersion of the experience. The cooks here always seem to be in more of a rush and do not do as many tricks as other places. There also is a bit less interaction and basic chatter between cook and guests so you lose even more of the entertainment value. I have always left here a little unfulfilled by the performance. The variety of sushi items seems really small compared to other places. The place feels cramped.
Other thoughts: The latest cook tried flipping food into our mouths, but only at the very tail end of the meal. This was done after all other food was cooked and on our plates and the table was already cleaned off. Everyone at the table was over halfway finished at that point and if not stuffed, then concentrating more on their plate or starting to think about to-​go boxes. The timing would have been better earlier on when everyone was still hungry and attentive. The sushi/​sashimi is good, especially for the price. The quality of the rolls can varies and is sometimes smothered in sauce that hides the real flavor. The rolls seem to have a little less fish than expected. The mustard sauce is the only major positive that stands out to me, but is necessary to make the food go from ‘meh’ to ‘pretty decent’. No free dessert (Ice cream) at the end of the meal.

First time I heard about this place, one of my nephew’s ex girlfriend use to work there. Of course at that time, I never had sushi or eaten at a hibachi grill. It was last year, I believe, that I went to this place for the first time. We were celebrating my sister’s birthday. We sat right next to a grill. It was then that it was brought to my attention about how the chefs cook on the grill. It surprised me skilled the chef was when cooking on the grill. Seeing all the ingredients that was being cooked amazed me because it was more than enough to feed the all of us. The best part was when the chef got some shrimp and tossed them to see if any one of us would catch them in our mouths. Also, I forgot to mention, that I tried some of the sushi they offered and they were pretty good. I moved recently, so, there’s not telling when I will go back. But, if someone I know lives in the area, if recommend it to them.

Food is delicious! The staff is fun and friendly and very accommodating! Great family atmosphere– fun for get together a and very interactive! Good sushi as well!

Very friendly staff we are big sushi fans and tried this place we are new to the area so searching for a good place to eat we ordered three different rolls most of it is already made aso we took it off the belt it was nothing fansatsic didn’t taste so fresh so we ordered something they would make and asked to make the roll spicy roll was so spicy had my husband sweating and myself coughing I can take some heat but this was extremely hot

After hearing a ton about this place we had to go check it out. This review is based solely on the sushi, we did not have any hibachi, so please keep that in mind.
I am a picky bastard with sushi. I really am. While some of the rolls we tried were ok, the sashimi was disappointing. The cuts were all over the place, and it wasn’t as fresh as I would like. The service there was good, I liked our server, but I would not come back for the sushi.

On our last day in Elgin we decided to go to JuRin.
With a group of six and a reservation for seven pm I was excited. Walking in I noticed that this place is divided into two sections. The smaller section was for the non teppanyaki customers. The bigger section was for everybody’s favorite the teppanyaki. I also noticed a bar to the right as your walk in.
Teppanyaki: my choice was the Shrimp and Filet Mignon combo. Lacking in shrimp was my first issue. Soy sauce used on my shrimp. Makes me miss the B:(the fried rice tho was not bad. Although they assume you want fried rice and never asked otherwise. My Filet Mignon was juicy and tender.
Their sautéed onions was partnered with green beans and mushrooms. So that was nice and pretty tasty.
The shrimp needed more company. It was not enough. There was no free ice cream dessert like everywhere else instead it was $ 2+ for a little cup.
They have a different take on pairing the dual suspects. Verdict? I’m still looking for a replacement for B.

We have been going here for the past 8 years. Always good, always consistent. Service is friendly and the sushi is outstanding. Ask about their special sushi rolls for the night. You might find a new favorite that isn’t on the menu! And if you are a smoked salmon lover, like I am, ask for the Miami roll (mild if you don’t like spicy rolls). You WILL NOT be disappointed.

Great place!!! The service is good, they work really hard to please. This place gets busy, so you may have to wait a bit but there is a super small bar where you can order a drink and a sushi appetizer while you wait.
The food is A+.
This is a great place to celebrate a birthday. The chefs are entertaining for kids.

We’ve been here several times and I just feel as though there’s better restaurants like this out there. Service is good. Restaurant is clean.
Fried rice doesn’t have a lot of flavor. Soup and salad lack the same. The Kobe steak is just ok. I wouldn’t recomend. Look further.

Love this place. The egg yolk shrimp and garlic shrimp is so good! I always order the same thing. Filet and shrimp. I always get the spider rolls too. Yum. The prices are a little on the expensive side. Oh also wear something you don’t mind getting smelly. That’s the bad thing about going to this place. You smell like food.

I’ve been going here for years. It’s by my wife’s parents house and it’s their go to place for most celebrations. Whether it’s sushi or hibachi, it’s always a good time.
First with this place, I like the prices. It’s about half the cost of a Benihana or Japan 77 and I feel like you get so much more food with the hibachi. Dinners are roughly $ 12-​$ 15 I believe. I usually get the steak and shrimp. Also comes with the soup, salad, fried rice, and noodles. MMmmm.
The last few times though, our chefs haven’t really been doing tricks. Maybe it’s because the youngest person with us is 27, but hey, we still love a good show. I want to see some shrimp tails get tossed.
Speaking of the sushi side, I sat around the conveyor belt a few times and those are reasonably priced too. I’m not really a big sushi guy though, give me some California rolls or straight sashimi and I’m good with that.
Great place, staff is always super friendly and jokes around with us. I have noticed it’s a little hard to get refills though. I usually have to flag down a waiter, but they probably just think we’re too focused on the chef cooking our food.
Great place, I’m sure I’ll be back multiple times.

We always have an enjoyable time and dinner here.
You can grab small plates from the fresh made sushi conveyer belt and sample different kinds of maki rolls or nigiri pieces. The plates are different colored (depending on the type of sushi) and you are charged accordingly.
In addition to sushi there’s different types of calamari or seaweed salads, shrimp, fresh fruits, desserts, etc on the belt.
Or, you can order whole rolls and nigiri from the chefs (who are super friendly and very knowledgable! Love these guys!)
There’s hibachi if you’re into that… We’ve never tried it but it’s always busy with people at the tables.
Service is quick and friendly, drinks are kept full, and the restaurant is clean.
You’re pretty much guaranteed to have a good meal and a good experience.

Love this place! Sushi always fresh. I have not done the hibachi, however it is ALWAYS jam packed at the tables. I love the conveyor belt sushi concept. Especially if you are going with someone who isn’t familiar with sushi. You can try a few pieces without being committed to 8 pieces of the same roll! I love it.

I came here tonight with my family for a birthday… The food was pretty good, but our server was too busy goofing around with his friends that came in to really pay attention to what was going on and neglected to bring out our appetizers (but didn’t fail to bring his buddies three orders of spring rolls when they only wanted one). The staff was notified by four separate members of my group that the women’s bathroom was flooded and by the time my grandmother made her way to the washroom at the end of our meal, it still wasn’t mopped. Besides being disgusting, it was a hazard and I find it a little silly that no one could take a few minutes to clean it up on an evening when there was plenty of time to stand around talking to coworkers. Oh, and it took twenty minutes to get our bill? I’ll be back… But not anytime soon.

Not bad for being the only hibachi sushi bar in south Elgin. We order an assortment of rolls that were really good. The volcano was definitely my favorite. The Matt roll was eh. The cream cheese in it was warm
Which totally threw me off. Other than that the service was proficient. The beer menu could use some work, but I totally understand they’re not an ale house or anything like that. I would come back here again ! Make sure to schedule a reservation. We got a table on the sushi side but it did seem pretty busy for the hour we were there. It cleared out as we were leaving. Stop in for some hibachi or sushi. You won’t be disappointed

We get take out sushi from JuRin on a semi-​regular basis and have stopped in for hibachi once or twice since my last review.
JuRin is solid and they are really fast with takeout orders.

Stopped by Memorial Day for lunch. Easy to make our 1 pm reservation for 6 and we were sat promptly. Kids had a blast (high chairs and boosters available). Between the 6 of us we got the filet minion, shrimp (hibachi and garlic style), teriyaki chicken, and the lunches all came with soup and salad. The place is a bargain for what is essentially a show and meal. I think it was $ 13 for the the filet and shrimp. So the small salad on it’s own won’t be winning any awards but it’s a nice addition to the soup prior to the meal. I was impressed and the kids enjoyed that a small dish of ice cubes was brought specifically to them for their soup as they couldn’t eat it right away as it was too hot for them. The reactions on the kids faces (3 and 6 y. o) was worth the trip as they watched the chef twirl and juggle the egg and yolk.
Also the food was delicious. Friend rice tasted great and of course was piping hot as it was just made in front of us. Shrimp tasted great with the sauces presented to us before the meal. Filet was tender and cooked perfectly and just as we requested.
Go out, bring the kids, enjoy the show, savor the food, and have fun!

Located in a strip mall which can easily be located. Usually when i go here, the place is packed. Place is clean.
The mâitre d is very welcoming. I was surprised that in a very packed night (feb 13) he was able to seat us immediately.
The servers, i salute them for being so attentive and even at their busiest times they always check up on you. It maybe your server and if not, its the other servers.
On your birthday, you get a song from the staff, a fruit plate with a slice of pastry, a lighted candle, a rose and a free dinner on your next birthday. And my beverages are oftened refilled without calling them.
Sushi chefs inside the conveyor belt is always smiling and would say thank you before you leave and if you are in the table beside them, they just hand you your sushi orders.
Food. I would give them 5 stars but it was the sushi that pulled me back. Especially the sashimi in the conveyor belt. Tuna sashimi already looked dry. The sushi slices were a tad small. Flavors were good. Just wished it was a little fresher.
Teppanyaki is the bomb. Cooks are hilarious on the table (although some tries very hard to be funny)… The fried rice is awesome!!! The steaks sometimes i get the melt in your mouth ones but tonight i got the dry and a little bit on the chewy side. Stir fried veggies are so fresh and well cooked and the chicken Teriyaki, cooked to perfection!!! Not dry. Price? Money well spent.
Would i recommend it? Heck yeah!!! Would i come back? OFF COURSE!!!

The freshness of the sushi is definitely worth the price. I usually don’t order the uni (sea urchin) but I ordered it three times in a row because these uni were freshly prepared. Overall, great sushi and reasonable price. Would recommend!

A pretty good teppan and sushi place, located in a shopping center on the southwest edge of Elgin. Dining room is attractive if rather dark, decorated in light plum. There is a small separate bar area.
Teppan lunches are in the $ 8.95-$ 15.95 range. I had a shrimp and scallop combo at $ 12.95: 3 scallops, 6 shrimp. Accompanied by some sort of mushroom soup, a salad heavy on iceberg lettuce, noodles, and fried rice. Scallops were tender, with a touch of garlic. Shrimp were a simple sauté. The teppan chef (not noticeably Japanese) was businesslike, not engaging in Benihana-​style schtick.
Beer selection is mostly common industrial lagers. The only thing new to me was Lucky Buddha, a bland, low-​hop Chinese lager in an interesting molded bottle.