One of the standout Calgary restaurants to open last year is Jin Bar, a Japanese-style fried chicken and pizza joint by chef Jinhee Lee, a graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and winner of the Canadian Gold Medal Plates culinary competition. Located in Bridgeland’s historic de Waal Block, this casual eatery — with its open kitchen, two dining areas and lounge up front — sings with comfort-food flavours. The Korean beef bulgogi pizza and sautéed kimchi mac & cheese are runaway hits, but take the lead from most diners and order the fried chicken, a.k.a. JFC — inspired by her father’s monthly payday treat in South Korea, when he’d bring home fried chicken and ice cream. Lee’s version is a half-pound of boneless chicken custom-flavoured with your choice of jalapeño soy, honey garlic butter,  chili glaze or a super-hot buldak (“dragon breath”).
—Karen Ashbee