BRBQ will bring Korean-American cuisine, wood-fired flavors and vibrant café energy to Journal Square Urby at 532 Summit Ave. in Jersey City. — Courtesy: Journal Square Urby
By Joshua Burd
The team behind two restaurants in Jersey City is expanding its presence in the city, with plans to open a new eatery at the Journal Square Urby property.
According to the developer, the concept known as BRBQ will bring Korean-American cuisine, wood-fired flavors and vibrant café energy to the 317-unit apartment building when it opens on June 20. The restaurant at 532 Summit Ave. will be the third location in Jersey City by Jae Park and Brian Kim, the co-owners of DOMODOMO and ONDO, bringing a new option to the fast-growing Journal Square neighborhood.
“At Urby, we see this area as a key opportunity to spark community engagement,” said David Barry, founder and CEO of Urby. “BRBQ captures that spirit perfectly. With Jae and Brian’s vision and impressive legacy in Jersey City, it will be a dynamic, street-accessible restaurant that brings real energy to Journal Square and becomes a lively gathering spot for both residents and the surrounding neighborhood.”
The announcement comes roughly a year after the arrival of Journal Square Urby, a 25-story building directly across from the Journal Square PATH station. Designed by Amsterdam-based firm Concrete, with HLW serving as executive architect, the project is part of a surge of construction in Journal Square that began more than a decade ago, expanding on a residential brand that began in downtown Jersey City and has expanded to other markets.
According to a news release, Park and Kim opened the award-winning DOMODOMO in Manhattan before expanding across the Hudson River to Jersey City in 2019. Their subsequent venture, ONDO, opened on the waterfront shortly thereafter.
BRBQ will serve brunch and dinner from a space adjacent to Journal Square Urby’s lobby, with a laid-back lounge atmosphere and a menu that leans into smoky, wood-fired cooking and bold Asian-American flavors, the news release said. Signature dishes such as double side cut L.A. Galbi, Korean barbecue short ribs and mochi pancakes will be paired with a warm, modern interior featuring wood accents and neon-inspired artwork that nods to the fluorescent light works of Dan Flavin.
The eatery will open Tuesday through Thursday from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, 3 to 5 p.m. for happy hour and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. On Fridays through Sundays, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.
“We’re thrilled to bring BRBQ to Journal Square and to partner with Urby to further expand our brand in Jersey City,” Kim said. “We can’t wait to share our passion for creative, Korean-American cuisine with this incredible community and are excited to be part of this vibrant, innovative development.”
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