JJ DAK — Restaurant in Fort Lee

JJ DAK, nestled on Main Street just across from the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, NJ, is a culinary gem that exudes a cool charm. This restaurant effortlessly combines a welcoming atmosphere with an air of sophistication, making it an ideal choice for both locals seeking a neighborhood haunt and discerning food enthusiasts.

As the name suggests, JJ DAK, short for "Jang Jak DAK" in Korean, specializes in wood-fired chicken. What sets this place apart is its unwavering commitment to using high-quality, freshly sourced natural ingredients that are expertly infused to create premium dishes. The chicken here is a true masterpiece, prepared using an on-premises wood-fired technique that employs the finest Oak and Cherry wood. This wood-fired wonder is then placed on traditional Korean sizzling stone, resulting in the signature "Nuroongji,". or Korean Crispy Paella, which is complemented by a selection of delectable sides.

What truly distinguishes JJ DAK is its mastery of the wood-fired rotisserie cooking method. The convection-style cooking process, where the meat is roasted from the outside in, allows the juices and fat within to render and drip over the rotating meat. This technique creates an unrivaled tenderness and juiciness that maximizes the natural flavors of their chicken, pork, and beef.

The best part? These mouthwatering creations pair wonderfully with an array of libations available at the bar, including craft beer, soju, spirits and of course my favorite... wine.

One of my personal favorites from JJ DAK's diverse menu is the Snow Garlic Shrimp pizza. OMG it creates a party in my mouth! It was love at first bite. This delight features a super thin and crispy crust, garlic, Fior De Latte Mozzarella, succulent shrimp, a luscious cream sauce, pineapple for a sweet twist, Pecorino cheese, and a sprinkle of scallions. The combination of flavors and textures in this pizza is nothing short of divine. To elevate the experience I had plenty of crushed red pepper and always opt for a glass or two of Cabernet Sauvignon, like their Lava Cap from Sierra Foothills, CA, which pairs exquisitely with the rich and savory notes of the pizza.

JJ DAK is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination for those seeking a local, down to earth dining experience in Fort Lee. With its commitment to quality ingredients, wood-fired expertise, and a delightful array of Korean inspired dishes, it's a place that beckons food lovers and leaves them with a memorable culinary journey. Whether you're a local looking for a new favorite or a connoisseur in search of a culinary gem, JJ DAK on Main Street is a must-visit destination that promises to satisfy your palate and exceed your expectations.

Remember.... always support locally owned family...

A great Korean fusion bar in the neighborhood that's passionate about good food! I had a buddy over from Michigan who did not mind the snow, so with wife, we went to eat through snow BLIZZARD to JJ Dak Sunday evening as they were open. Inside was chic and cozy as I expected, and we were led to a rather smallish dining room on the side of first floor. Center area was for the bar. I've wanted to try JJ Dak for a while now, so we ordered up w/ pleasant server who explained the menu for us. I. ATMOSPHERE (4/5) - Great vibe! Dimly lit with thoughtful biergarten style decorations galore, it felt warm, cozy yet stylish. Good for dates & drinks with buddies. II. FOOD (4/5) Squid Fries ($14, APP, 5/5) - Hands down the best food of the visit. Fresh squid w/ full flavor in light seasoned batter with mouthwatering ponzu mayo dip. Say whaaat? Wonderful with beer. We wanted to order one more if not for entree coming! Fried Oysters ($??, APP, 3/5) - It was a special item, but unfortunately this was nothing special. Shouldn't have ordered, as it was prob to get rid of fresh oysters getting old (not on the menu). It wasn't like not fresh or anything but taste was just okay. Nuroongji Dak ($45, ENTREE, 4/5) - This famous dish didn't disappoint! They lit it on fire for a show & added flame taste, and the dish was sizzling hot. Flavor was pretty good, though some parts of chicken wasn't seasoned through. But they give you 3 dipping sauces (honey mustard was my favorite!) for that so that's OK. This dish really felt like a treasure hunt for the 3 of us as we kept poking around and finding different ingredients. I wished that there was still a unifying sauce of some kind as meat felt a bit dry at times and variety of ingredients kinda floating on their own a bit. Maybe a splash of soya-butter? Nonetheless, this was really enjoyable to eat - we loved the cauliflower and the burnt rice (which we diligently scraped off the pan) on the bottom. III. SERVICE (5/5) - Very attentive, on a Sunday evening blizzard night! Later they did get busy (it's like we brought the town here cuz adventurous and half-crazy people kept showing up in pairs through the blizzard to eat in. Was a bit funny)

I'm a fan of this place - especially for a drink w/ buddies I can't think of a more deserving place to go to in town atm than JJ Dak! I'll be back to try many other interesting menu items in the...

I and my wife went out for an overdue date night to have my all time favorite food item pork belly and some nice cocktails. Typically whenever i go to any restaurant to have pork belly I don't have to worry about the quality and taste as I have been dining out for nearly 2 decades and never have been disappointed with the way restaurants cook pork belly or the quality of the meat. However that all went out the window when I had their smoked pork belly at JJ dak. First of all, for $38 you get a laughable portion of pork belly but I let it slide but as soon as I had my first bite into a piece there was no more hope. It was the most rubbery and toughest pork belly I have ever had and it sure didn't taste anything that had been smoked as there was absolutely no hint of it. Also they fried the bottom of pork belly which made it incredibly tough and gave me a pain inducing jaw exercise. Most importantly pork belly was not fresh as sometimes you can tell when you smell that fridge burn smell even after cooking. I know they are known for their whole roasted wood fired chicken with rice but it doesn't mean whatever they don't use quickly should be inferior in quality or just gets neglected entirely. I'm not confrontational or the type to send back dishes to kitchen so I meditated, held my breath every time I had a piece and finished the overpriced and detestable pork belly because I didn't want to waste $38 on nothing. In trying to forget the aftertaste, I just had a few bites of cute little pizza my wife had ordered and a cocktail to try to save the night but even that combo didn't work that night as the toppings on the pizza just didn't work for me and cocktail was straight up alcohol without much mix in it. On a brighter note my wife liked her cocktail so she wasn't grumpy. Thankfully, OG authentic Korean restaurant was nearby So that was the only saving grace of the...