Minka, a “modern Japanese restaurant”, has opened in Cliffside Park.

Chef and managing partner Alexander Lee is a recent Jersey transplant, having been NYC born and raised.

A NYC hospitality veteran of over 10 years, he started his career after graduating from the French Culinary Institute. After training in some high-profile kitchens, he moved to the front of house management at well-known Japanese concepts like Morimoto and various Michelin-starred restaurants across the city.

He decided to open Minka to showcase Japanese cultural food offerings that are present in day-to-day life, the food that the Japanese eat at home: the way grandma would make it, but with a modern touch. He’s ultimately going for something different than the mainstream offerings like sushi and ramen.

The menu (View Menu) it’s subject to change regularly — is “small but diverse”. The planned focus is seasonal items — with more cultural offerings, such as pickled vegetables, farm-to-table ingredients, locally sourced proteins, grilled fish dishes, and anything else that can be found deep in the roots of traditional Japan. This means many vegetable and seafood-heavy options including those served “Tapas-style” (small plates) and “Teishoku-style” (entree sets).

The space includes about 40 seats along with a 10 seat reclaimed wood communal table.

It’s currently open Wednesdays thru Sundays from 4:30pm till 10:30pm.

Minka Japanese Kitchen
364 Lawton Avenue
Cliffside Park, NJ
Website

[photo source: Minka]