Erin Lanahan 
A new Chinese restaurant and bar is joining the diverse foodie scene in downtown Jersey City. DONG BEI Restaurant + Bar is taking over the former Kitchen Step location at 500 Jersey Avenue. It’s the first New Jersey location for the Chinese restaurant, with several other locations already in business across the river in New York City. The restaurant serves authentic Northeast Chinese food and traditional Chinese drinks. Here’s what to know about DONG BEI, the new Chinese restaurant coming to Jersey City.
About DONG BEI Restaurant + Bar
DONG BEI Restaurant + Bar focuses on bold flavors of China’s Northeast region. A large part of Northeast Chinese food includes wheat and corn, which are usually in the form of noodles, steamed buns, and cornbread. The DONG BEI menu has plenty of hearty, rustic foods, including braised pork ribs, hand-pulled noodles, and savory dumplings.
On top of serving cozy Chinese food, DONG BEI also has modern bars at its locations. The bar serves craft cocktails, regional beers, and a selection of Chinese baijiu, a traditional Chinese distilled spirit.
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There are three restaurants in New York City located in Midtown, FiDi, and the Upper West Side. There is also a takeout location at Columbia University.
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A post from Historic Downtown Jersey City SID announced DONG BEI will be moving into 500 Jersey Avenue. On the restaurant’s website, Jersey City is listed as an option for online orders. No opening date has been shared.
Chinese Food Scene In Jersey City
It’s no secret there is a plethora of international cuisine in Jersey City, and DONG BEI will be joining the robust Asian food scene in Chilltown. According to a WalletHub survey, Jersey City is the second most ethnically diverse city in the United States, and Asian people make up 25% of the population in Jersey City. Locals know there are a ton of options to order traditional takeout or enjoy specialized, authentic cuisine spread across Journal Square, Downtown, Newport, Bergen-Lafayette, and The Heights.
The Former Kitchen Step Space
The Kitchen Step used to call 500 Jersey Avenue home. The restaurant served cocktails and New American foods in the Van Vorst community. The Kitchen Step opened in 2016, then announced it was closing in September 2025.
In an Instagram post, the owners said, “In an industry where most restaurants don’t make it past their second year, a decade is something we are deeply proud of. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure new lease terms that work for the business. As Kenny Rogers once said, ‘You gotta know when to hold ’em, and know when to fold ’em.’”
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In that same post, the former owners hinted at possibly taking the restaurant to a new location, saying they were exploring new places and have other exciting news coming soon. There have not been any updates on its social media pages since September 2025.
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