May is Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, where we celebrate, honor, and learn more about the contributions of the AAPI community to our culture. The month of May was deliberately chosen because it was during the month of May that both the first Japanese immigrants came to the US in 1843, and in May 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed in the US and was built with an incredible contribution from Chinese workers. The date of May 10th is known as Golden Spike Day to mark the railroad’s completion.
Asian-owned businesses make up a portion of our local melting pot and contribute greatly to Hoboken’s culture. They lead with the example of what it takes to innovate and grow during a time that has so many challenges of its own. Asian-owned businesses refer to businesses whose owners are of Asian descent — from Indian to Pakistani, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Pacific Islander, Chinese, and more. Here is a list of Asian-owned businesses to support in Hoboken — today and every day.
We know this is a growing list — any omissions were not intentional. Please email hello@hobokengirl.com to request an addition.
Ally’s Bridal | 636 Washington Street
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Brides all know there’s one place to go in Hoboken when it comes to alterations — and it’s Ally’s Bridal. This shop can work magic on the most intricate of dresses. Its owner and designer, Joon Choi, is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in Pattern Making and has worked for several big-name designers including J. Mendel, Vera Wang, and Reem Acra. She specialized in customizing bridal gowns and trained in hand draping, hand embroidery, hand pleating, appliques, and other precision techniques.
Aspen Prime Med Spa | 74 Hudson Street
Local entrepreneur Sandra Gail Frayna, PT founded Aspen Prime Medspa when she saw the need for an elevated beauty concierge service. Naturally detail-oriented, Sandra is focused on learning + growing with the aesthetics industry and has a passion for helping clients. This passion motivated her to open Aspen Prime Medspa as a haven where guests can indulge in beauty and wellness in a luxury setting.
Baking Mama | 88 Hudson Street
Tina Rivera opened Baking Mama in the spring of 2016, not far from the PATH. She serves up ready-made desserts, coffee, and custom-baked goods. She started baking in 1994 — a few months prior to the birth of her son — who became a student at Stevens Tech. “I was working in a bank, and the pregnancy downtime provided me with the opportunity to learn something new. In this case, baking. I was hooked.” The rest is history.
Read More: A List of Women-Owned Hoboken + Jersey City Businesses
Bangkok City Thai | 335 Washington Street
Bangkok City Thai serves up some of the most authentic Thai food in the area and the decor will make you feel as if you are transported to Thailand. HG pro tip: Order a Thai tea.
Be Happy Dog | 235 Hudson Street
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Be Happy Dog is a pet grooming business that provides pet bathing, facials, blowouts, haircuts, nail trimming, and teeth cleaning, among other services.
Black Rail Coffee | 800 Jackson Street
There’s nothing better than a good cup of coffee, and Black Rail Coffee, located off the beaten path in Hoboken right by the 9th Street light rail, will definitely prove this to be true. Specialty coffee is served here as well as delicious food like sandwiches made in-house with gluten-free options, vegan treats, and salads. The best part is the assortment of milk — which is a great complement to freshly brewed coffee and some of the teas and other hot drinks served here.
Courtyard Cleaners | 800 Jefferson Street #2
Courtyard Cleaners is a dry cleaning company located in mid-town that provides all of the services one would need like cleaning, ironing, and more.
Dana Chau Fitness
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It’s about time we add some fun to our workouts to get the summer body we have dreamed of. Dana Chau is the woman for that. She specializes in helping women obtain their fitness goals without feeling bored — it’ll feel more like you are at a party. Dana is an expert in fitness, being a personal trainer for 18 years. Some of the many services she provides are barre, dance studio, and indoor cycling, among other options.
Dao-Sheng Acupuncture | 109 Grand Street Suite 101
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Dr. Shi-Hong Loh, founder of Dao-Sheng, is a medical acupuncturist located in Hoboken and Hackensack. He is a former oncologist who combines both Western + traditional Eastern Medicines, including acupuncture.
Dreamz Salon | 900 Jefferson Street
Owned by Bhumi — the eyebrow and beauty queen herself — Dreamz has become a go-to among locals when it comes to eyebrow threading and waxing. The salon also provides blowouts, cut + color, massage, and facials, among other services.
Erotori | 51 Newark Street
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Justin Guerra-Sarreal is the owner and chef at Erotori, which opened up in November of 2022 in Hoboken. To learn the art and craft of yakitori, a Japanese cuisine specialty, he worked at Michelin-recognized New York City restaurant Yakitoriya Torishin for three years. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Justin worked at the Starbucks on Newark Street, the same place in which he would end up parking his yakitori cart and starting Erotori. Eventually, he went full-time with the businesses and has been serving up yakitori street food to locals ever since.
Cheese + Wine | 720 Monroe Street C102
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Cheese + Wine’s mission is to provide the world’s finest selection of artisan and farmhouse cheeses, hand-selected wines, charcuterie, imported foods, gourmet sandwiches, and craft beers available.
Green Garden | 1202 Washington Street
Every neighborhood needs a go-to Chinese restaurant designated for delivery. Green Garden is just the place for that. With its fast customer service and delicious menu items, it is definitely an all-around great Chinese restaurant. HG Pro Tip: Order the dinner combos, you get more add-ons to choose from like soup and an egg roll, and it is cheaper.
Gogi Grill | 79 Hudson Street
With great service, generous portion sizes, and fresh food, Gogi Grill is a Hoboken favorite, serving traditional Korean food. The best part of the menu is that Gogi serves Korean tacos and burritos, chicken tenders with soy-garlic-infused sauce, dumplings, teas, and other items.
Hidden Grounds | 700 Garden Street + 79 Hudson Street
Founded by Spoorthu Kumar, Hidden Grounds is a one-of-a-kind coffee shop, dedicated to selling top-of-the-line coffee sourced from India. The story is pretty cool, as Hidden Grounds started as an idea between two friends, and has quickly expanded to multiple locations. Everything in the store is hand-selected, and patrons have the option to order chai, matcha, and a large assortment of teas, as well as handmade food items like sandwiches. There are also two locations in Jersey City.
Hoboken Dream Nails + Spa | 601 Observer Highway
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Established in 2016, this nail salon provides a variety of services including gel manicures, relaxing spa pedicures, and waxing. The nail techs specialize in unique and advanced nail designs.
Hoboken Smile Specialists | 33-41 Newark Street #2A
Dr. Radhika Kapoor is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, and she works with experts in the field to provide the best service at Hoboken Smile Specialists, a multispecialty practice. There are a variety of services provided here, like Invisalign, Pediatric dentistry, adult dentistry, and all special healthcare needs.
Hudson Flowers | 92 Hudson Street
Hudson Flowers specializes in custom bouquets for events, providing a wide range of flowers and assortments for any occasion. Pick-up and delivery are available for all flower and plant needs.
JP’s Bagel Express | 52 Newark Street
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A go-to for all things breakfast, JP’s cafe serves up breakfast and lunch fare including deli classics, juices, smoothies, coffee, and of course, bagels. The downtown spot also has gluten-free bagels.
Karma Kafe | 505 Washington Street
Known for its restaurant decor and large menu, Karma Kafe is located in the heart of downtown Hoboken, home to exquisite Indian food since 1999. It provides catering, dine-in, delivery, and pick-up options. With over 1,500 Google reviews, it is no surprise that this unique restaurant has made an impact in Hoboken. Patrons can try vegetarian options or classic Indian staples, like naan or lamb curry.
Keming | 1006 Washington Street
Located in the heart of Washington Street, Keming is a Sichuan restaurant listed under “fine Chinese cuisine” and it stays true to its name. Patrons can pick up or have food delivered, as well as in-house dining (BYOB). Keming serves lunch specials and an authentic Chinese menu with all types of dishes, from soup to chicken and duck, as well as vegetarian options.
Kung Fu Tea | 536 Washington Street
Kung Fu Tea makes made-to-order classic teas, milk teas, fruit teas, slushies, and more. Each drink is customized by you including picking your toppings, sugar levels, and ice levels. The toppings range from bubbles and milk caps to different types of beans and jellies. There are also seasonal flavors and toppings.
Lo Fatt Chow | 720 Monroe Street C-103
Located on the ground level of the Monroe Center, Lo Fatt Chow has been serving health-focused Chinese food to locals for the last few years. The menu comes free of MSG, and all options are able to be made steamed or fried. HG Pro-Tip: Order the steamed or fried veggie dumplings.
Modern Nails + Spa | 728 Washington Street A
Modern Nails is a popular nail salon for many residents because of the amazing services that include complimentary shoulder massages as your nails dry, hot stone pedis, and a great environment. Might we add that the spot has won The Hoboken Girl’s ‘Best of’ Awards annually for several years, as well.
Moonlight Spa | 722 Washington Street + Alley Spa | 106 5th Street
Moonlight Spa + Alley Spa are great spots for unwinding and relaxing on a budget. The spas are hygienic with great prices, and after one visit, you will leave relaxed. Call ahead for an appointment and you will be able to get body massages that focus on reflexology, and much more.
Mystique Beauty 2 | 377 Washington Street
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Owned and operated by Rita Suthar with the help of her daughter-in-law Bija, threading is Mystique’s most popular service, but the beauty spot also caters to several other beauty needs such as full body waxing, brow and lash tinting, lash extensions, facials, hair cuts, blowouts, hair color, and more for both men and women.
The Nail Story II | 101 Clinton Street
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The Nail Story is a popular nail salon in town that provides regular mani/pedis, gel, and powder tips, among other nail services.
Natural + Plus | 97 Washington Street
Natural + Plus is a local grocery store located across the street from City Hall that carries everything from fresh produce to beautiful flowers.
Nurturing Life Acupuncture + Wellness | 650A 1st Street
Nurturing Life is an acupuncture practice in Hoboken that not only serves clients and provides expert acupuncture treatment for back pain, neck pain, fertility, and stress, but also sells teas and other medicinal products in-house. It’s worth a visit.
Organic Basic Food | 204 Washington Street
This grocery store sells organic, raw, and gluten-free foods — plus a broad selection of dietary supplements. If you’ve ever been, you know that it’s a small but mighty grocery store with someone always on-hand in the supplement section to help you find the perfect vitamin for whatever is going on. “We buy in bulk, and we try to pass the discounts we get from vendors to customers,” Eric, Organic Basic Food’s owner, told The Hoboken Girl. He is actually the second-generation owner of the store, having taken over the business from his father, an immigrant from Asia, who opened the store in Hoboken more than 20 years ago.
Pho Express | 732 Washington Street
Photo Credit: Hudson County Chamber of Commerce
Pho Express opened its doors in the former Lemongrass Sub + Noodle space at 732 Washington Street in Hoboken in February. Customers can indulge in authentic Vietnamese culinary heritage with its diverse menu. It is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11AM to 9PM and on Friday to Saturday from 11AM to 10PM.
Precious Chinese + Japanese Cuisine | 128 Washington Street
Precious Cuisine is a Hoboken favorite, serving Japanese and Chinese staples. With an extensive menu, Precious definitely will satisfy any craving, from sushi and sashimi to sesame chicken and tons of vegetarian options.
Prime Gourmet | 720 Monroe Street
Prime Gourmet is a Hoboken staple that has been in business since 2006, starting with PrimeTime Convenience, Inc. It has now blossomed to become a neighborhood favorite, selling an assortment of snacks, ice cream, drinks, and much more — a one-stop food shop.
Project Sculpt | 319 Washington Street 2nd Floor
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Project Sculpt is focused on ensuring its customers are achieving their fitness goals and staying consistent with them. With expert trainers available, clients can expect 50 minutes of carefully programmed classes that will definitely leave you wanting more. There is also a Jersey City location of Project Sculpt located at 133 2nd Street Suite A.
Purely Juiced | 262 1st Street A
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Purely Juiced is 100% vegan and serves cold-pressed juices daily using a unique science that brings health to Hoboken. Patrons can also buy smoothies, specialty drinks, and cold-brew coffee. There’s also a variety of juices that help with cleansing, and with the team’s extensive knowledge, they will help decide what works best for you.
Purple Rice | 832 Washington Street
Purple Rice opened its doors in 2023 and is the sister eatery of Keming — a go-to spot for Asian cuisine and authentic teas, smoothies, and fruit drinks. This family-owned business serves up dishes like LuRou Minced Pork, fried pork buns, and braised pork ribs.
Riverpoint Wellness Group | 42 Newark Street #203
Before Dr. Brian Chang pursued medicine, he embarked on a much more ‘traditional’ career path, as he calls it. After graduating from Columbia University in NYC with a B.S. in Engineering + Management Systems, he worked for Wall Street firms as a strategy consultant and pharmaceutical compliance analyst. Then one day, he was involved in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma. He was left completely immobile for three months and incurred severe injuries, including 70% hearing loss, loss of smell, severe migraines, and vertigo. Undeterred by US doctors saying they’d exhausted their options for medical procedures + treatments, he flew to Asia where he was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine for several months. The results were nothing short of miraculous: his 70% hearing loss improved to a 15-20% loss, his migraines and vertigo were completely eliminated, and he was even able to jog again. After returning to the States, he decided to take a leap of faith and pursued a career in acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Robongi | 520 Washington Street
A go-to for sushi in the Mile Square, this Japanese spot serves creative sushi that’s also popular for takeout.
Saka Sushi + Hibachi | 618 Washington Street
Theresa Chen, the mind behind Saka Sushi + Hibachi in Hoboken, has been in the food industry for over 15 years. Saka’s offerings here are pretty expansive — ranging from salads and soups to sushi, hibachi, and teriyaki. Some of the sushi rolls here include an avocado cucumber roll, a yellowtail scallion roll, a white tuna jalapeno roll, and a crab mango roll, among others.
Shokudo | 61 14th Street
Shokudo quickly became a Hoboken favorite. This is the place to be for ramen lovers and for anyone who can appreciate a new wave of modern Japanese cuisine. Shokudo is located on 14th Street in the heart of Uptown Hoboken, so patrons can dine in, or takeout. There is a variety of ramen on the menu, so patrons can keep it simple or spice it up with the spicy ramen.
SOHO Flower + Garden | 264 1st Street
SOHO Flowers specializes in incorporating nature into what can otherwise be boring flower arrangements. The shop provides flowers and plants to purchase, styled for each customer’s preference, as well as plants and potting soil. The spot also specializes in events, from centerpieces to boutonnières for one’s special day.
SOHO Nails | 1216 Washington Street #1
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Soho Nails provides great customer service with friendly staff and expert manicures and pedicures. The shop provides all types of salon services, such as spa pedicures as well as regular manicures, gel, and powder manicures, plus waxing. Kim and her family are sure to make clients feel at home and welcomed as soon as they walk in the door.
Sri Thai | 234 Bloomfield Street
This Thai restaurant serves up delicious food in a cool dining environment. Patrons can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Sweet Hoboken | 343 Garden Street
This bakeshop, owned by Angela Park, opened in 2008. Angela often jokes that she was “thrown into” the business, and luckily for the Hoboken community, she clearly found her niche. Her cupcakes have made national headlines, and are — of course — delicious and beautiful to boot.
Toast X Bowl | 328 Washington Street
Located at 328 Washington Street, Toast x Bowl came to the Mile Square in 2023 with an incredible résumé + team behind the innovative Asian-fusion restaurant. Owner Wenxu Wang has been in the restaurant business for nearly ten years. He uses his expertise to bring Asian-fusion sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, coffee, and drinks.
Tutti Spa + Nails | 1119 Hudson Street
This nail salon provides a range of services in its spacious salon, including gel and high-quality mani/pedi services.
See More: Asian-Owned Businesses to Support in Montclair
Yeung II | 1120 Washington Street
Yeung II is a Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi rolls and also serving Chinese items on the menu, like sesame chicken and lo mein. It’s BYOB which is always a plus and has great indoor-outdoor seating options available — plus delivery. HG pro tip: Try the sweetheart dumplings if you like peanut sauce or the famous ramen.
Ubu | 205 Hudson Street
Ubu is a hidden gem on Hudson that serves Japanese and Korean cuisine, with speedy service, great prices, and some character. Its ambiance is no-frills and BYOB. There are numerous sushi rolls on the menu as well as ramen, soup, and different types of bowls that range from vegetarian to fish and meat. The lunch menu has a lot to offer, with low prices and lots to choose from.
