I’ll be honest. I was skeptical the first time a friend dragged me to Ondo. Another trendy waterfront spot in Jersey City, I thought. Another place with good lighting and mediocre food that photographs better than it tastes. I was wrong. Really wrong, actually.
Ondo sits right at 3 Second Street, inside Harborside Plaza on the Jersey City waterfront. It opened back in April 2022, and in my experience, it’s one of those restaurants that locals quietly brag about to out-of-town guests. Not loudly. Just a little smug “oh you haven’t been to Ondo yet?” energy.
So What Is Ondo, Exactly?
It’s a modern Korean restaurant. But calling it “Korean food” undersells it a bit, because the menu isn’t trying to replicate your grandmother’s banchan spread. It’s doing something more playful. More fusion-leaning, if that word doesn’t make you cringe.
The name itself means “temperature” in Korean, which is a nice touch because the menu is literally organized that way — cold dishes, warm dishes, hot dishes. Clever, right? It’s a small detail but it tells you something about the care that went into this place.
Executive Chef Brian Kim runs the kitchen. He co-owns Ondo along with Jae Park, and the two of them also run DomoDomo, the sushi spot practically next door. So there’s a real pedigree here, not just some investor group chasing a trend.
What Should You Actually Order?
Okay, this is the part people actually care about, so let’s get into it.
The Fried Tofu Salad is a sleeper hit. It comes with a mandarin yogurt dressing that sounds weird on paper and tastes incredible in person. I was suspicious. I ate the whole thing anyway.
Then there’s the Tteokbokki — rice cakes served in a little cast-iron pot, swimming in gochujang sauce. Spicy, chewy, slightly sweet. If you’ve never had tteokbokki before, this is a solid entry point, not too aggressive on the heat.
For something heartier, the Grilled Branzino with Risotto is a standout. Boneless fish, barley risotto, a little white kimchi on the side for tang. It’s fancy without being fussy, if that makes sense.
And honestly? The Bulgogi Cream Perilla Pasta might be the most “Jersey City” dish on the menu — Korean flavors meeting Italian comfort food, with an optional black truffle upgrade if you’re feeling extra. I got the truffle. No regrets.
Save room for the Black Sesame Ice Cream. It’s not overly sweet, it’s got this nutty depth, and it’s the kind of dessert that makes you forget you were full five minutes ago.
The Drinks Menu Deserves a Mention Too
I don’t usually write about cocktails in a food review, but Ondo’s bar program earns it. The ONDO Martini blends soju, gin, cucumber, mint, and a little St. Germain — refreshing, not too boozy, dangerously easy to order a second one of.
There’s also the ONDO Fashion, which is basically an old-fashioned with a smoked-wood twist. If you like bourbon, get this.
They pour Jinro Soju and have a decent wine list too, plus mocktails for anyone skipping alcohol that night. Nice that they didn’t just slap a Shirley Temple on the menu and call it a day.
Atmosphere — What’s It Actually Like In There?
Modern. Warm wood tones. The interior was designed by a New York firm called IDBD, and the vibe is somewhere between upscale and approachable. You won’t feel underdressed in jeans, but you also won’t feel out of place celebrating an anniversary there either.
It’s what Ondo itself calls a “transitional dining environment,” which, sure, is a bit of marketing-speak, but it does capture the feel. Not stuffy. Not casual either. Somewhere in between, and it works.
Hours, Reservations, and the Fine Print
Here’s the practical stuff you’ll actually need:
- Monday–Thursday: 5–10:30 PM
- Friday–Saturday: 12 PM–12 AM
- Sunday: 12–10:30 PM
Reservations go through Resy, and you can book up to 30 days out. Heads up — there’s a same-day cancellation fee (up to $35 per guest) if you no-show or bail last minute. Don’t be that person.
There’s also a weekend brunch for $38 per person, three courses, served Friday through Sunday from noon to 3 PM. And if you’re a night owl, the Late Night Hidden Combo after 8 PM runs $65 per person. I haven’t tried the hidden combo yet, honestly, but a few friends swear by it.
Is It Worth Going To?
Look, I get recommendation fatigue is real. Everyone’s got a “you HAVE to try this place” list a mile long. But Ondo earned its spot on NJ.com’s list of the Greatest Restaurants in Jersey City for 2023, landing at number six, and it also made NJ Digest’s 25 Best Restaurants in New Jersey that same year. That’s not nothing.
For a Jersey City waterfront dinner that doesn’t feel generic, Ondo’s a strong pick. Bring a date, bring your parents when they visit, bring whoever — the food does the talking.
Go hungry. Order the tofu salad even if it sounds odd to you. Trust me on this one.
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