Inside downtown Birmingham’s newest dining experience—Johin’na opens August 1

Birmingham’s food scene just got even more exciting with the opening of Johin’na (jo-heen-na), a Japanese-Southern fusion restaurant and lounge located at 2002 2nd Ave. North.

Set to open its doors to the public on Friday, August 1, this upscale spot combines bold global flavors, Southern soul and a sleek, modern aesthetic that makes it equally suited for date night, birthdays or just a well-earned night out.

We stopped by Johin’na’s exclusive preview night for a taste of the menu. Read on to find out what we ate, drank and suggest for your first visit.

Sisterhood of the traveling chefs

Johin’na’s menu is the brainchild of head chef Ashley Jackson and her sister Amber, Alabama natives whose globe-spanning life experiences—Bali, London and Los Angeles to name a few—have shaped their unique perspective on food and hospitality. 

“We lived in Pakistan when I was younger, and that was one of the first experiences that opened our eyes to trying new cuisines. Our mom had us try things like frog legs and alligator, and that’s when we knew we could eat everything.”

Ashley Jackson, Executive Chef, Johin’na

Subtle nods to Ashley and Amber’s bond can be found throughout the restaurant, primarily the Pisces symbol of two fish circling each other, which represents their shared zodiac sign and sisterhood.

The space is divided into three rooms: the Sakura Room, the Pagoda Room and the Kurama Room. Each dining room has a distinct theme, with visually-captivating decor like a color-changing cherry blossom tree that anchors the Sakura room.

The crowd was stylish but relaxed—think date-night, not black-tie. (As long as you leave the flip flops at home, you’ll fit right in.)

Global influence meets Birmingham expertise

Head Chef Ashley Jackson grew up in Chelsea, but her culinary journey has taken her across Southeast Asia, inspiring her love of bold, complex flavors. Her cooking philosophy blends technical finesse with Southern comfort and a deep respect for global ingredients.

Helping bring her vision to life is Chef de Cuisine Kevin Whitmore, a familiar face in Birmingham’s food scene with experience at hot spots like Bistro 218, Hot & Hot Fish Club and Bottega.

“I had an interview with Chef Ashley almost a year ago, and we just clicked on a different level when it came to food. She’s really open to collaboration. We all call each other chef—even the dishwasher. There’s a real sense of mutual respect in the kitchen.”

Kevin Whitmore, Chef de Cuisine, Johin’na

Our must-try menu items

The menu features a few distinctly Southern ingredients: fried okra, fried green tomatoes and Alabama white sauce worked creatively throughout Asian-inspired dishes. And yes, the sweet tea soy sauce is made with none other than Birmingham’s own Milo’s Sweet Tea.

We sampled:

• Pork Belly Bao Buns – crispy pork belly with housemade kimchi, pickled shallots + Alabama white sauce
• Teppanyaki Steak – juicy ribeye grilled + finished with truffle oil, Japanese vinaigrette, truffle salt + crispy shoestring fries
• Kyoto Heat Roll – yellowtail, cucumber, topped with salmon, sriracha, eel sauce

Between the three bites we tried, my favorite was probably the pork belly bao buns—somewhere between Southern and Korean barbecue with just enough tangy kimchi to cut the richness of the pork belly.

Of course, dinner isn’t complete without a special beverage. We had the sake sangria: a sweet sake cocktail with fresh peach, plum, lychee and sparkling wine.

Ashley and Amber’s personal must-tries include:

• The Birmingham Roll – crab, cucumber, fried catfish + spicy mayo
• Lobster Noodles – lobster tail with sesame garlic butter + yuzu

Johin’na celebrates its grand opening August 1

Ready to try it out for yourself? Be sure to check open reservations.

• Johin’na: 205-202-3409 | Website | Instagram | Facebook
• Address: 2002 2nd Ave. N.
• Lunch hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 11AM-1PM (Brunch served on Sundays)
• Dinner hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 5PM-10PM | Friday-Saturday 5PM-11PM

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