January 13th is Korean American Day, which commemorates the first Korean immigrants arriving in the United States in 1903. It’s also meant to celebrate the many contributions of the Korean American community here in the United States. Hudson County is no exception to these contributions. There are so many great restaurants to enjoy authentic fare and flavors from Korean culture, so we came up with a list of all the best spots to try. Keep reading for a list of Korean-inspired restaurants in Hudson County, New Jersey.
Ahri’s Kitchen | 227 7th Street, Jersey City
(Photo credit: @ahriskitchen)
Ahri’s Kitchen is an authentic Korean restaurant right in Hamilton Park, open seven days a week. Whether you’re looking for dishes to share, Bibimbop (a Korean dish of rice with vegetables, and often meat or a raw or fried egg), soup, noodles, or Korean BBQ dishes, this is the place to visit. Don’t miss the Kimchi Fries – spicy fries topped with housemade kimchi. Patrons can eat in the restaurant or order on the various delivery apps, but we recommend checking out the storefront since it’s so Instagram-friendly.
Bonchon Jersey City | 172 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
(Photo credit: @bonchonchicken)
Bonchon Chicken is part of an international chain started in South Korea 20 years ago. The menu includes Korean fried chicken, among other sides including pork buns, Korean tacos, and potstickers, just to name a few. The company’s mission is to “share the joy of Korean comfort food around the world,” and the sauces come straight from the global kitchen in South Korea. The world just can’t seem to get enough. (Fun fact: Korean fried chicken was created back when U.S. soldiers in Korea shared fried chicken with some locals.)
Chicken Factory | 529 Washington Street, Hoboken
Chicken Factory is a good go-to spot for lunch or dinner and it’s open seven days a week. Try the chicken (wings, drumsticks, whole chicken, or breasts), with either soy garlic sauce or sweet-spicy sauce (or plain), or really any of the other Korean fare on the menu including japchae, bimbimbap, or bulgoki. Stopping by during lunch? Try the chicken meal, available until 3PM, which includes wings, coleslaw, and rice.
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Gogi Grill | 79 Hudson Street, Hoboken
(Photo credit: @gogigrill)
Gogi Grill aims to be authentic Korean BBQ but in a quick and convenient way. The Hoboken location is right by the PATH station. Customers can enjoy many menu options including Korean fried rice, bulgogi dishes, dumplings, and other Korean-inspired fare like Kimcheese tots (tater tots smothered with kimchi and melted cheese), and tacos filled with Korean-style filings.
K-Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot | 414 Grand Street, Jersey City
(Photo credit: @kpot_usa)
If a regular dine-in restaurant isn’t enough, K-POT is a “hands-on, all-you-can-eat dining experience.” It combines traditional Asian hot pot with some unique Korean BBQ flavors for patrons to enjoy. Diners cook their meals in the hot pot at the table and can also enjoy alcoholic beverages from a full bar. It is truly a choose-your-own-adventure-style meal at K-POT. Diners choose from a selection of broths, meats, seafood, vegetables, noodles, rice, and/or other items to cook in the hot pot. There are endless combinations of flavors. K-POT also offers traditional Korean barbecue, which is a similar experience to the hot pot where the food is cooked by diners at the table. Vegetarian options are available for each.
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O2 BBQ | 7000 Kennedy Boulevard East, Guttenberg
(Photo credit: @o2bbq)
If one Korean dish isn’t enough, this all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant could be the move for you. Pick between a few choices of dining packages with different meats and sides to choose from, ranging from $21.95 per person for lunch to $37.95 per person for dinner available all day. There is an incredible array of choices available, including many vegetarian options. Patrons can pair the meal with wine, beer, cocktails, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Parking can be tight, but O2 BBQ has patrons covered with access to free parking in the Galaxy guest parking garage (check out the parking directions, here).
TaKorea BBQ | 805 Frank E Rodgers Boulevard South, Harrison
(Photo credit: @takoreanbbq)
Sometimes it can be hard to pick which kind of cuisine to get for dinner (or lunch), but with TaKorea, customers don’t need to pick just one. This restaurant serves Korean BBQ and ten types of fusion tacos every day, from carnitas to bulgogi. As if we needed another reason to try TaKorea, there are different specials during the week including $5 margaritas all day on Monday and Wings Day on Thursday with six double-fried wings with a tap beer for $14. Happy hour is Monday to Friday, 4PM – 7PM with specials on drinks and some appetizers. Check out the website for weekly specials.
