{"id":205774,"date":"2026-05-29T22:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T22:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/205774\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T22:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T22:16:19","slug":"owner-of-nycs-mokbar-opening-dubu-hana-in-jersey-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/205774\/","title":{"rendered":"Owner of NYC\u2019s M\u00f6kbar Opening Dubu Hana in Jersey City"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"DubuA Korean-inspired restaurant from the chef behind M\u00f6kbar is coming to Downtown Jersey City. Image courtesy Li Architecture Studio.<\/p>\n

A James Beard-winning chef is bringing a new Korean-inspired concept to a prominent historic building in Jersey City\u2019s Downtown, as a new eatery called Dubu Hana is hoping to open by the end of this year.<\/p>\n

During their May 19 meeting, Jersey City\u2019s Alcoholic Beverage Control heard an application to transfer a liquor license inside the ground floor of the TelCo Lofts<\/a> at 8 Erie Street. The property was first constructed in 1900 for use by the NY\/NJ Telephone Company as its switching station, later used by the Jersey City Police Department before a retail-to-residential conversion.<\/p>\n

The license will be transferred to an entity called Project Dubu Hana LLC, which will take over the space formerly occupied by The Boil<\/a>, which opened in early 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0The restaurant recovered to have a five-year run but eventually shuttered last year.<\/p>\n

\"DubuChef Esther Choi is currently co-hosting Food Network\u2019s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing. Image courtesy Esther Choi\u2019s Instagram.<\/p>\n

Dubu Hana comes courtesy of Esther Choi, the Jersey-born chef who spent her childhood in Egg Harbor. Choi\u2019s formal training began at New York City\u2019s Institute of Culinary Education, and she later founded Manhattan\u2019s M\u00f6kbar, which won her a James Beard Award.<\/p>\n

M\u00f6kbar, which blends Japanese-style ramen with Korean flavors, launched<\/a> their first New Jersey location a few years ago inside Newark\u2019s Gateway Center<\/a> revamp. Dubu Hana will be Choi\u2019s second venture in her birth state, as the new restaurant recently launched a website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Promising \u201csomething SEOUL-ful is coming soon,\u201d Dubu Hana\u2019s interior revamp is designed by Li Architecture Studio. Several renderings of the future space were posted on the firm\u2019s social media, showcasing booth and table seating areas, as well as a bar at the rear of the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\"DubuThe future interior of Dubu Hana. Image courtesy Li Architecture Studio.<\/p>\n

While a menu for Dubu Hana has not been revealed, the restaurant promises \u201ccomfort food, the Korean way.\u201d They have quietly created an Instagram account at the handle @eatdubuhana<\/a>, and the eatery says they are looking to open sometime during the fall of 2026.<\/p>\n

Choi herself, who is scheduled to release her first cookbook, \u201cHand Taste,\u201d later this year and is currently co-hosting the Food Network series 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, can also be followed on Instagram at the handle @choibites<\/a>.<\/p>\n