The beauty of Jersey City lies in its melting pot of businesses offering residents a variety of cuisines and services. The hustle and grind for business owners never stop – especially during the pandemic, and this AAPI month, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the Asian-owned businesses in our community who have prospered during these difficult times. Asian-owned businesses refer to businesses whose owners are of Asian descent, from Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, Pacific Islander, to Chinese, and more. Here is a list of Asian-owned businesses to support in Jersey City.
Disclaimer: We know this is a growing list – please email hello@hobokengirl.com to add to it.
99 Ranch Market | 420 Grand Street
99 Ranch Market is an authentic Asian grocery store with additional locations all over the country. This market was founded in 1984 by a Taiwanese immigrant, Mr. Roger Chan, to fill the gap of Asian markets that seemed to be nonexistent during this time. 100 years later, this market has expanded its stores by offering online shopping and even an app for same-day delivery. Customers are able to buy all types of Asian produce and items like beverages, meat, seafood, condiments, snacks, and more. The best part about 99 Ranch Market is the desire to give back to the Asian community, with its program “Gateway to Asia,” which encourages American families and global customers to experience Asian culture, in particular, Asian cuisine.
Ahri’s Kitchen | 227 7th Street
Ahri’s Kitchen is a family-owned Korean restaurant near downtown Jersey City. The restaurant serves authentic Korean food in a chic environment. A group of two can easily have a full meal by sharing a few appetizers. Pro tip: Order the kimchi fried rice.
Amiya | 101 Hudson Street
The restaurant serves modern North Indian fare with a light touch of fine dining. Crowd-pleasing options such as curries and samosas are served, but the menu also offers unique dishes less seen elsewhere.
Ani Ramen House | District Kitchen, 210 Hudson Street + 218 Newark Avenue
Ani Ramen believes that good food is a sign of love, and we could not agree more. The ramen is nurturing and delicious, offering a great ambiance for dining in Jersey City. buns and small bites are also fan favorites on the menu. Don’t miss the inventive cocktails with names like Tokyo Sour and the Samurai Old-Fashioned.
Baonanas | 210 Hudson Street
Baonanas was founded by Jersey City natives Trisha Villanueva and Lloyd Ortuoste. This dessert shop is known for its unique flavors of banana pudding and Instagrammable aesthetic. The classic flavors, which are all layered with sliced bananas, include s’ mores, BlueBeary, and cheesecake. The shop also carries non-banana flavors such as its Peachy-Mango Cobbler, Mocha-Cookie, and Lychee-Rose, a lychee-rose flavored mousse with layers of softened Nilla wafers and fresh lychees and strawberries.
Beechwood Cafe + Market | 290 Grove Street
With an extensive weekend/weekday menu, Beechwood Cafe serves classic breakfast and lunch staples and is known for its freshness and variety. Its sister location, B18, has all of the same tastes in a quick-serve setup just a few blocks away.
Bonchon Chicken | 172 Newark Avenue
Owned by Jinduk Seo and founded in South Korea, Bon Chon Chicken has made its way to multiple locations across the world, including Jersey City. It serves crunchy fried chicken, with a signature flavor and savory sauces to boot.
Complete Physical Rehabilitation | 75 Montgomery Street # 501
CPRNJ is a full-service rehabilitation center, specializing in treating a wide range of injuries and pain, focusing on all parts of the body, while using unique therapies and an expert team, led by Dr. James Pumarada and Mr. Humberto Colmenares.
Downtown Med Spa | 115 Christopher Columbus Drive
Downtown Med Spa is a family-owned business, providing services like anti-aging, laser hair removal, and all sorts of cosmetic improvements, directed by Eric Reynolds, DPM.
East Flour | 103 Christopher Columbus Drive
East Flour serves Asian-American comfort food and is known for making all of its bread, noodles, and pasta by hand. It has a considerable menu with items to choose from, with an Asian mastery found throughout.
Egg Mania | 14 Liberty Avenue
This cafe devoted to eggs was founded by five friends who missed the street food they had when growing up in India. Here, one can find curries, biryanis, kati rolls, with eggs boiled, scrambled, fried, or folded into omelets to accommodate all forms and flavors of Indian cuisine.
Future Restaurant | 216 Newark Avenue
With good service and fresh ingredients, Future Restaurant stays consistent with delicious Chinese food for takeout in Jersey City. It has typical Chinese flair on the menu, as well as vegetarian options.
Grand Sichuan | 342 Grove Street
Authentic Szechuan dishes are found at Grand Sichuan, offering great ambiance for sitting indoors, or contactless delivery. With a large menu, fresh ingredients, and affordable prices it is definitely on the list of being a Jersey City staple.
Honest Restaurant | 811 Newark Avenue
The perfect place to fix a carb craving, Honest Restaurant’s style can be loosely described as “fast food” — quick dishes for breakfast, snacks, late-night comfort food, or really any meal of the day.
Honshu Sushi Lounge | 95 Greene Street
Honshu Sushi Lounge was opened in 2005, and since then has become a Jersey City favorite, specializing in contemporary Japanese dishes. It is located in Downtown Jersey City and is a full-service restaurant, complemented by a full bar, also offering catering and delivery. Honshu is known for its fresh sushi and great ambiance, and customer reviews definitely agree. Happy hour is a must-try, with lots of drink and food specials to choose from.
Ichiban To-Go | 365 Palisade Avenue
Ichiban To-Go is a family-owned business, with its name meaning “number one” or “first place”. The eatery has provided 20 years of great food and service. The sushi from Ichiban is unmatched, along with its classic Japanese menu and extensive food options. Because of COVID-19, the owners of Ichiban had to revamp the business model, changing it from a catering service, to including delivery and takeout, as well as offering specialty menu items like sushi pizza and tacos.
J Nail + Spa | 265 Grove Street
With good service, fast accommodations, expert manicures, and a large nail color selection, J Nail + Spa is a go-to. The prices are affordable, and the location is right near the Grove Street PATH station.
JC Sakura Japanese Cuisine | 362 Grove Street
Specializing in sushi and Japanese dishes, Sakura satisfies customers in Jersey City, especially with its service and friendly staff. From appetizers to dessert and everything in between, Sakura serves authentic Japanese food worth trying.
Jersey and Co Gelato | 55 Mallory Avenue
Founded by Peter Jose, Lekendrick Shaw, and Ivan Almonte, the vibe at Jersey and Co Gelato is hard to beat, welcoming patrons with high-quality gelato, as well as vegan sorbets, serving up a huge variety of delicious flavors, all made fresh and homemade in-store.
Korai Kitchen | 576 Summit Avenue
This family-owned restaurant is the first of its kind in Jersey City, serving traditional Bangladeshi food, prepared the old-fashioned way. Since opening in 2018, Korai Kitchen has quickly become a Jersey City favorite. The eatery offers catering, weekly specials, and unique entrees that are sure to make mouths water. The restaurant is currently offering takeout only, and all orders must be placed in advance.
Little Quiapo | 530 Newark Avenue C
This low-key spot in Jersey City serves up tasty Filipino classics, with great customer service and affordable prices. It is closed on Tuesdays and is one of the best local spots to enjoy halo-halo, a classic Filipino dessert.
Milk + Cream Cereal Bar | 175 Newark Avenue
Cory Ng created Milk + Cream Cereal Bar with the help of his best friends, Thomas, and Justin, in Chinatown with the vision to combine ice cream and cereal together. Now with a second location in Jersey City, its cereal flavors mixed with classic ice cream continues to create a nostalgic feel for customers.
Mithaas | 795 Newark Avenue
South Asian desserts are unique for their distinctive ingredients and subtle flavors. Pistachios and fresh chess are widely used, and they are spiced with cardamom, rosewater, and saffron.
Miso Ramen | 189 Newark Avenue
Miso Ramen focuses on serving all different varieties of ramen, like chicken, tofu, and beef. The flavors range from spicy to savory, using a 20-hour process to create homemade goodness.
More Express | 281 Grove Street
This casual Thai eatery located in the heart of Jersey City serves up Thai curries, noodle dishes, and sushi. Labeled as “Thai street food” it is comfort food elevated, with an extensive menu and great ambiance to eat in, along with delivery and pick up available.
Nails Tek | 154 Newark Avenue
Nails Tek is a clean and sanitary nail salon located in Jersey City. The salon is open until 7:30PM. On Sundays, it closes at 5:00PM which leaves ample time to make a last-minute appointment.
New Asian Fusion Grill + Noodle | 900 Bergen Avenue
With great dine-in and take-out options, New Asian Fusion serves up Chinese and Japanese dishes, offering extensive menus for both.
New Thanh Hoai | 234 10th Street
New Thanh Hoai is a Vietnamese restaurant that offers dine and delivery. The eatery posts new items on the menu frequently and also has an extensive wine and drink list, as well as lunch specials that allow patrons to indulge in a combo platter.
New Zion Nails | 248 Bay Street
New Zion Nails specializes in manicures, while also offering waxing, pedicures, and a range of nail styles to choose from in Jersey City.
Oriental Spa | 300 Newark Avenue
Oriental Spa is known for offering body massages, leaving Jersey City customers feeling refreshed. The spa is clean and affordable, with quality massages and friendly staff.
Pariwaar Delights | 827 Newark Avenue
The restaurant has made a name for itself with its gorgeous biryani. The fragrant dish uses eighteen different spices, some shipped directly from India, and is cooked in the traditional “Hyderabadi dum style”.
Pinwheel Garden Dumpling + Noodle Bar | 318 Communipaw Avenue
This family-owned restaurant serves its customers using fresh seasonal produce and non-GMO, preservative-free ingredients. With many awards to speak of, Pinwheel Garden is known for bringing cultures together through its food. The menu is mouth-watering and includes dumplings, ramen, and coconut curry, to name a few.
Philippine Bread House |530 Newark Avenue
Philippine Bread House continues its family tradition by serving patrons in Jersey City all types of quality products like cakes, desserts, and pastries, stemming from Filipino roots.
Pokay | 283 Newark Avenue
Pokay serves up fresh poke bowls in Jersey City, varying from house favorites including a classic bowl to spicy options and build-your-own. Explore Pokay’s hot bowls, which are a unique twist on the classic cold poke bowl and sure to satisfy a cold-weather craving.
Rasoi | 810 Newark Avenue
One cannot talk about local Indian food without mentioning Rasoi. Since 1996, the restaurant has been serving delicious North Indian dishes with consistent quality and service.
Rickie’s Hair and Beauty Salon | 544 Jersey Avenue
This salon is a full-service salon, offering haircuts, hair color, and much more, with skilled staff and a clean environment. The quality value at Rickie’s is spot on, and customers rave about the friendlessness of the staff, which is always a plus.
Saigon Cafe | 188 Newark Avenue
Kim Le, the owner of Saigon Cafe, has created an authentic, family-owned Vietnamese staple in Jersey City. Its large menu serves up Vietnamese dishes, from chicken to pork to vegetarian. Don’t forget to check out the long dessert list, with sweet dumplings available and banana bread pudding.
Sapthagiri | 737 Newark Avenue
For a small eatery that is strictly vegetarian and kosher, the menu offers a stunning range of south Indian delicacies. Masala dosa is filled with potatoes, onions, green peas, and cashew nuts, all boldly spiced with ginger, turmeric, and cilantro.
Sen Hai | 303 Newark Avenue
Sen Hai serves up Chinese food for pickup or delivery, offering patrons a classic Chinese menu with vegetarian options and a variety of beef, chicken, and fish. Moo Shu is also a featured menu item, along with Chef’s specialties.
Short Grain | 183 Montgomery Street
Short Grain is a neighborhood-style cafe, serving coffee, sandwiches, small plates, and brunch. The beauty of Short Grain is that mixed in with classic breakfast staples like eggs and avocado toast, diners will find Asian-influenced dishes which are described by the owners as “things we love to eat and recipes that reminisce our past, present, and future” on the menu. Make sure to take a look at the drink menu, offering Vietnamese coffee, matcha, and juices.
Spa Nature | 18 Park View Avenue
Spa Nature is a nail salon in Jersey City, offering a variety of services like massages, manicures, and pedicures. Its clean environment and variety of nail colors are sure to leave patrons satisfied.
Spice Spirit | 900 Bergen Avenue
This hidden gem in Jersey City serves authentic Chinese food, specializing in spicy dishes and a quality assortment of food.
The Old Spot | 523 Jersey Avenue
The Old Spot serves up authentic Chinese cuisine with friendly service and good vibes. It offers traditional hot pot meals, which are raw meat and seafood cooked in hot, seasoned broths at the table.
Tidal Poke | District Kitchen, 210 Hudson Street, Plaza 3 + 337 Grove Street
Tidal Poke serves exceptional poke bowls, located on the Jersey City waterfront and in downtown Jersey City near the Grove Street Path. Using the freshest materials possible, Tidal Poke relies on its Hawaiian roots to make sure every bowl has variety, with a twist on traditional poke bowls. Patrons can build their own or choose from their classic list of bowls. The restaurant also serves smoothie bowls and offers catering for your next gathering.
Urban Quack | 153 Ogden Avenue
Urban Quack is a farm in The Heights that consists of 25+ chickens and four ducks which are all free-range. The chickens and ducks are raised with care and love. Locals can visit the farm and purchase fresh duck or chicken eggs and meet the ‘producers’.
Yama Seafood | 43 Edward Hart Drive
Yama Seafood is a seafood market. Since 1980, Yama Seafood has made it a mission to be a go-to local seafood supplier. The market specializes in high-quality tuna ranging from wild to farmed tuna as well as has an array of seafood available. Yama Seafood is a wholesaler that typically sells to restaurants and markets but has added retail customers to its roster. Patrons can visit the online storefront to see what’s in stock or to place a special order.
