Openings
JINYA Ramen Bar, Totowa
With more than 60 restaurants across North America, JINYA Ramen Bar has finally introduced its first New Jersey location. The popular ramen chain, which was established in 2010, serves authentic ramen dishes that pay special attention to its noodles and broth. There is a variety of ramen to choose from, ranging from vegan options with tofu to dishes with chicken, pork or seafood. Besides ramen, there are dishes like bao buns, gyoza, mini Japanese-inspired tacos, rice bowls and salads. JINYA also has a bar menu filled with Japanese beers, cocktails and liquors.
465 U.S. 46
Off the Tracks, Atco
Located just a block off the town’s train tracks, this new cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner bites and beverages. Off the Tracks boasts a menu packed with fast-casual dining options, including everything from breakfast sandwiches and pastries to cheesesteaks, chicken cutlet sandwiches, hot dogs and salads. There also is a full coffee menu, featuring hot and iced coffee, espresso and tea drinks with many flavored syrup options. There is some seating upstairs and outside.
2204 Atco Avenue
Asad’s Hot Chicken, Sicklerville
This popular Philadelphia-based chicken joint now has two South Jersey locations. Asad’s Hot Chicken has multiple locations in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, and it opened its first New Jersey outpost in Burlington back in November. Now, less than a year later, a new location has opened its doors in Sicklerville. As the name suggests, the menu at this fast-casual spot features hot and spicy chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders, and heat levels range from no spice to scorchin’. Meals come with fries and Asad’s sauce.
542 Berlin – Cross Keys Road
Closing
Kinjo, Newark
Kinjo, a Japanese restaurant that quickly turned into a downtown Newark hotspot, announced its permanent closure earlier this week. On its website and social media, the team wrote that “due to the ongoing power outage situation that has severely impacted our operations, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors forever.” Since its opening in November, the restaurant, owned and led by Jaimie Knott, one of New Jersey’s top chefs and restaurateurs, has earned multiple accolades: it became one of NJM’s best new restaurants and best restaurants of 2024, all in under a year of operation. Kinjo served unique dishes, like smashburger bao buns, Korean fried wings and shin ramen fried rice, plus elevated cocktails. Fans of Knott can still visit his other restaurants: Madame and Cellar 335 in Jersey City, the Saddle River Inn, and the Saddle River Cafe.
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