The dining scene in the Journal Square neighborhood is about to get a major new player as Mensho is bringing its acclaimed farm-to-bowl ramen concept to Jersey City.
Panepinto Properties recently wrapped construction on its 54-story 505 Summit development and announced that the world-renowned ramen eatery is expected to open later this year. Recognized by the Michelin Guide for nearly a decade, Mensho was founded in Japan in 2005 and has since expanded to countries including Australia, Thailand, and many more.
Their Journal Square location will mark the brand’s first East Coast outpost and will be located on the ground floor of 505 Summit. The restaurant will front a new public plaza that was created by the developer as part of the building’s construction.
“At 505 Summit, our goal was to create a building that feels connected to Journal Square, not just physically but as part of what’s happening in the neighborhood day to day,” said Joseph A. Panepinto Sr., President & CEO of Panepinto Properties. “Mensho is a great example of that. They bring something truly distinctive to the retail space, and it’s the kind of operator that serves as an extended amenity for our residents and the wider community.”
Founded by chef Tomoharu Shono, Mensho is guided by its “farm to bowl” philosophy that emphasizes sourcing high-quality ingredients and developing location-specific concepts. While details are scarce on what the Jersey City location will incorporate from local lore, the restaurant will again be designed to reflect the surrounding community and culture.
“Opening in New Jersey as our first East Coast location is a meaningful step for us,” said Tomoharu Shono in a statement. “We’ve expanded in places like San Francisco, Hawaii, and Singapore, but each new city brings its own culture and expectations around food. That’s what excites us about Journal Square. It’s a neighborhood where many cultures meet, and we felt we could really grow here—not just bring Mensho as it exists today but evolve it with the community.”
Mensho is the second higher-end restaurant to open on the ground floor of the new property in Journal Square in recent months. Ownership behind the Bib Gourmand-awarded DomoDomo launched BRBQ late last year inside the Journal Square Urby development.
Journal Square has seen an unprecedented building boom in recent years that has brought a slew of new residential developments to the neighborhood alongside investments like the Loew’s Theater renovation. The growth doesn’t appear to be slowing down, as a 55-story development that includes a proposed Whole Foods was approved last month.
