What
DomoDomo Jersey City is a new Japanese restaurant located at 200 Greene Street (in the base of the Urby tower). The family-operated restaurant originated in New York City, where it has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for the past four years. (The award is given to restaurants that offer a great value where you can eat for $40 or less). Jersey City Upfront was invited to dine at DomoDomo. (Our meal was complimentary).
Interior
Designed by co-owner Jae Park, DomoDomo is a sleek, minimalist space, that has the look of a break-the-bank sushi restaurant, but the feel of a neighborhood hangout. The inviting atmosphere is due to the friendly staff, which keep DomoDomo from feeling stuffy. Inside you’ll find a long L-shaped sushi counter made of smooth, blonde wood. The other half of the restaurant consists of smaller tables.
The Menu
DomoDomo is known for its top-notch sushi and hand rolls. They offer an $80 Domokase menu (PDF), which includes an oyster sampler, five small plates, eight seasonal pieces of assorted sushi, a hand roll, and dessert. This is their signature offering, but you can also opt for a sushi course, hand roll course, or mix of both. Prices range from $18 to $55 based on your selections and any add-ons you might choose. However, it’s not all sushi at this family-run eatery. You’ll also find a mix of hot and cold dishes like the Uni Pasta and Miso Black Cod. Heads up: DomoDomo doesn’t accept tipping. Gratuity is included in their prices.
We Loved
The Domokase option is such an excellent value. It’s not what we’d call cheap, but for the quality of fish you’re getting, it’s an absolute steal. (Restaurants in New York would charge double the amount for what DomoDomo serves you). The Uni Pasta is another excellent dish, made with squid ink pasta in a cheddar dashi and served with generous amounts of uni. We also loved the Miso Black Cod entree, which is tender, sweet, and offers just the right amount of flakiness.
Could Be Better
The sushi counter can get loud, especially when the restaurant is full. This makes it difficult to hear/interact with the chef, which in turn makes the omokase experience less intimate. The New York restaurant also appears to have a more robust cocktail/sake menu (PDF) complete with sake flights and happy hour specials, which the Jersey City menu (PDF) currently lacks.
Final Take
DomoDomo blows every sushi restaurant in Jersey City out of the water. You’ll pay a little more, but the quality speaks for itself. We visited three times (twice for lunch and once for dinner) and were impressed by both the food and the friendliness of the staff. It’s an excellent addition to an otherwise quiet nook of the waterfront.
DomoDomo | 200 Greene Street
