Craving the best Indian food in the United States? Head to New Jersey

Each year, over 60 million visitors swarm to New York City. For those with a taste for Indian cuisine, the hotspots are Queens’ Jackson Heights and Curry Hill on Manhattan's East Side.

Yet, New York often overshadows the rich cultural offerings just beyond its limits. This is especially true for Jersey City, located across the Hudson River, home to one of the nation's most vibrant Indian communities, just beneath the Lower Manhattan skyline.

Jersey City’s significance is no secret. Over 11% of the population is Asian-Indian — a higher proportion than in any other major U.S. city. The city has hosted one of the nation’s largest Holi festivals every spring since 1992, and its prominence as a Hindu center has been recognized by regional media since the 1980s. Yet, it remains a hidden gem for most tourists.

India Square

The heart of the story lies in a two-block stretch of Newark Avenue known as India Square. This bustling area is a vibrant mix of restaurants, grocers, jewelers, and clothing stores, representing one of the fastest-growing ethnic communities in America.

Satinder Saggar was among the pioneers to open restaurants in this area. For 23 years, he has been serving traditional Punjabi dishes at Rasoi, a beloved diner.

Originating from northwestern India, Punjabi cuisine is known for its hearty dishes with rich gravies and tender meats. Favorites like chicken makhani and lamb vindaloo have been staples on Rasoi’s extensive menu for years.

“When I first opened, I was only the second restaurant here,” he recalls. “Now, there are more than 20 Indian eateries along this stretch, and over the past decade, the area has become increasingly popular.”

Today, Rasoi is joined by other popular spots like Raaz, where diners can savor an array of dishes including kadai paneer with Indo-Persian influences, the vegetable-packed navratan korma from Punjab, Bengali-style fish fingers, and north Indian rara gosht, a rich goat curry, as well as a fragrant south Indian vegetable biryani.

At Curry On, the classic biryani is made with chicken, roasted on the bone in the Hyderabadi style, and slow-cooked using the traditional dum pukht method. The menu also features rogan josh, a rich Kashmiri curry flavored with alkanet flower and red chilies.

Traditional, modern, and fusion dishes

Recently, specialty shops have been emerging, each focusing on specific ingredients or regional dishes.

Paratha Junction shines with its signature flatbreads, often filled with potatoes and paneer. Korai Kitchen, a recent addition, offers an extensive Bengali menu. At Sri Ganesh’s Dosa House, you’ll find a variety of vegetarian options of the classic southern Indian snack.

While many of these spots maintain a humble, ‘home-cooked’ atmosphere, a more refined, upscale vibe is beginning to emerge.

“There’s definitely been a rise in upscale places,” says Suvir Bhalla, a first-generation immigrant who has called Jersey City home for eight years. “Raaz and Vaibhav have a more modern feel. At Mantra, they’re incorporating some Manchurian flavors — Asian fusion is definitely trending.” A whole section of the menu is dedicated to ‘Indo-Chinese’ rice and noodles.

Although he enjoys the creativity, Bhalla prefers the dishes that remind him of home. “If I’m not eating my mom’s cooking, I’ll be at Rasoi,” he confesses.

Before even settling in Jersey City, Bhalla's connection to the area ran deep. “Even before I moved here, my parents would always come to Jersey City for groceries,” he says. “It’s the hub for our community.”

This feeling is shared by many Indian immigrants in the Tri-State area. In an unexpected twist, more and more New Yorkers of all backgrounds are venturing out to Jersey City for a taste of cultural exploration.

‘India, but in America’

“Jersey City is like India away from India,” says Vikas Khanna, Michelin-starred chef and former host of MasterChef India. “The smells, food, and traditions here remain deeply rooted in the community. I often visit from New York City for inspiration. I’m proud to see how the heritage has flourished and how India is embraced here. It’s now a broader version of Jackson Heights.”

Saggar attributes much of the area's growth to the period following September 11, when many New Yorkers sought refuge in a nearby place that still felt like home. With the towering skyscrapers of the Financial District in view, it’s easy to forget you’ve left the city.

More than just a meal

But he also highlights the deep cultural acceptance his community has found on this side of the river. It goes far beyond just food enthusiasts.

“We’re the only city in the U.S. that shuts down streets for four different Indian festivals each year,” he proudly states, noting the local government’s active role in supporting these celebrations.

This support has been especially vital throughout 2020. Like many other businesses in the food and beverage industry, Rasoi has struggled with pandemic-induced closures, despite thriving with high-volume takeout before the pandemic hit.

With indoor dining limited to just 25% capacity, the city’s swift approval of expanded outdoor dining—taking over parking spots and enhancing streetside dining areas—has been a lifeline. “Mayor [Steven] Fulop has been a great ally to the Indian community,” Saggar notes.

Fulop, who took office in July 2013, is quick to shift the praise back to the business owners. “The real credit goes to this community for transforming an area that was in need,” he shares with Dinogo.

The city has been instrumental in providing key resources such as grants, streetscape redesigns, small business loans, expanded branding, and additional support to enhance efforts and make the area more attractive.

It all adds up to a winning combination. On any given weekday evening, you’ll find a younger crowd eagerly waiting outside EggMania, anticipating their favorite street food dishes from this trendy fast-casual spot.

With paper bags full of egg bhurji and surti gotala in hand, they rush out the door—not because they’re in a hurry to leave, but because they need to catch the last PATH train back to the other city they call home.