Jersey City, NJ is one of the most diverse cities in the country. With people from all over the world living right here, you have the opportunity to experience a wide range of cultures without leaving town. Of course, this also means we have access to restaurants serving a variety of exotic cuisines like you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s a list of exciting eateries showcasing exotic cuisines in Jersey City to get you started on your world food tour.
EFES Mediterranean Grill
If you’re looking for extraordinary food at an unbeatable price, don’t miss your chance to grab a bite at EFES Mediterranean Grill. The restaurant gets its name from the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, which is a large archeological site today. The menu at EFES offers a variety of delicious soups, appetizers, salads, and entrees that are sure to make your mouth water. Try the savory Turkish lentil soup that takes you to the Mediterranean the moment it touches your lips. You can get either hot or cold appetizers like cheese rolls, falafel with hummus, or stuffed grape leaves.
For your main course, try the popular gyro doner with rice or the chicken pirzola that’s grilled to perfection. If you prefer a meatless meal, the vegetable casserole is right up your alley. Some of the specialties at EFES include moussaka, sac kavurma, and lamb saute, just to name a few.
Cellar 335
From the minds of a few creative people came the concept that today is Cellar 335. This upscale eatery brings globally influenced cuisine to the people of Jersey City. Their menu offers a variety of foods made from locally sourced ingredients. Bring your friends and enjoy a shareable plate of spicy cornbread, warm hummus, Korean-style wings, or avocado fried rice. If you’re still hungry, try the braised pork shank. It comes with eight bao buns, kimchi, and white barbecue sauce that will tantalize your palate.
Don’t eat too much, though, as you’re sure to want dessert before you go. The passion fruit panna cotta is exceptional, but don’t take our word for it. Go and try it for yourself.
Satis Bistro
Satis Bistro is a popular place so you may want to make a reservation, especially on weekends and holidays. Executive chef Alexander Diaz creates unforgettable meals, and your server will be more than happy to recommend the perfect wine pairing to go with whatever you decide to order. Start your meal with a savory appetizer such as the crispy golden Brussels sprouts, seared day boat scallops, or patatas bravas. They have some amazing pasta dishes that you may want to try as well, like the short rib bolognese or house-made ricotta gnocchi.
If you’re here on a date, get the mixed grill for two. This dish comes with Wagyu sirloin, lamb chops, and andouille sausage covered in a tasty Spanish sauce. Other entree options include the truffle-roasted organic half-chicken, burgundy-braised natural lamb steak, and Scottish wild salmon.
Mamak House
Serving some of the best Malaysian and Chinese cuisine in Jersey City, Mamak House is a top choice when you’re craving exotic food. They have a long list of appetizers that are sure to please. You might enjoy some steamed shumai, Thai lettuce wraps, a Malaysian curry puff, or Mamak dumplings. But don’t fill up on appetizers, because they also have delicious soups. You can stick with a classic like the hot and sour soup or branch out and try some fish porridge or the clay pot pearl soup.
When you’re ready for your main course, you can order poultry, fried noodles, or a vegetarian dish. A few of your options are ginger scallion chicken, kung pao chicken, Hokkien char mee, seafood chow fun, and Thai basil eggplant.
Clove Garden Of India
Can any cuisine be more exotic than that of India? At Clove Garden Of India, you’re sure to find a new favorite dish that originates from this faraway land. The restaurant is known for its wonderful service and high-quality food. Using a variety of spices and herbs, they create dishes that will excite your taste buds. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll appreciate the numerous menu options for you, including appetizers like lasooni gobi and tamarind eggplant. Vegetarian main courses, such as the paneer butter masala and vegetable korma, are filling and delicious.
Of course, they have plenty of offerings for meat eaters as well. The goat curry is very popular, but you can also get chicken, lamb, and seafood meals. Try the shrimp masala if you like seafood or chicken korma if you’re in the mood for poultry.
Korai Kitchen
It’s true, you can even get food from Bangladesh here in Jersey City. Korai Kitchen is, in fact, Jersey City’s first Bangladesh restaurant, and a place you’ll want to try if you’re ready for a truly exotic meal. Since 2018, the mother-daughter duo who founded the restaurant has been feeding the hungry people of Jersey City. They make food from scratch, just like you’d find in a typical Bangladesh kitchen. You can check out the daily specials to not only get some great food but also score a sweet deal.
You can get entrees for one or entrees for two if you want to bring a friend. On the menu, you’ll find traditional dishes like goat korma, koi mach, and Hilsa fish curry. For dessert, they have mishti dhoi, a Bangladesh yogurt that’s both sweet and tart. That’s our list of exciting eateries showcasing exotic cuisines in Jersey City. The team at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars has you covered when it comes to interesting things to do in the city. Have you tried any of the exotic dishes at one or more of these restaurants? We’d love to hear about your experience and what you loved (or didn’t love) about it. If you have any suggestions, contact us so we can give them a try. We might even add your favorite eatery to our list.