There was once a time when shipping containers were used solely for shipping - these days, smart folks have identified that they make excellent, easy structures for all sorts of forward-thinking buildings and businesses, not least restaurants which benefit massively from the cheaper overheads. Joro is one such restaurant, housed within the Krynkl container district on Sheffield's trendy Kelham Island.
Run by chef Luke French and partner Stacy Sherwood-French, Joro combines big Asian flavours with British produce and Nordic sensibilities. The restaurant interior certainly falls into the latter category - the dining room is stripped-back and minimal, so much so that when Joro first opened in 2016, it took a little bit of time for Sheffield to understand what Joro was truly about. Soon, French's unique, bold tasting menus started to hit the mark, and Joro has gathered momentum since, becoming one of Yorkshire's most popular restaurants.
With only 12 tables in the restaurant, spaces aren't always easy to come by. French's style is difficult to pin down, but the five, seven and ten course tasting menus at Joro frequently revolve around big, bold Asian flavours, presented in a minimal way. Dishes include the likes of barbecue hand dived Orkney scallop in beef fat and scallop dashi, fermented Mayan Gold potato with smoked herring roe, Highland Wagyu knuckle with wasabi mustard and watercress, and fatty tuna belly with tare and aromatic green paste. Drinks flights are also available, with a focus on artisan producers using sustainable and natural techniques.
For those who wish to stay overnight, there is House of JÖRO down the road, which houses four overnight rooms and offers breakfast as well.