Koro Koro: Jersey City's Go-To for Unique Japanese Rice Balls and More

Koro Koro Introduce

koro ramen & sushi

For New Jersey locals seeking a unique and convenient taste of Japanese comfort food, Koro Koro in Jersey City offers a specialized culinary experience centered around the humble yet versatile Japanese rice ball, known as Onigiri. Far from your typical sushi spot, Koro Koro focuses on these delightful, portable rice creations, stuffed with a wide array of savory and sometimes surprising fillings. Under new management, Koro Koro is continually striving to refine its offerings and service, aiming to provide a fresh and satisfying meal for its loyal customers.

Koro Koro is more than just a quick bite; it's a place that celebrates the traditional Japanese snack of Onigiri while infusing it with innovative global flavors. Their commitment to offering a 100% gluten-free menu is a significant highlight, making it a safe and delicious option for many dietary needs. While the experience might be evolving with recent management changes, the core appeal lies in the unique concept and the potential for a truly satisfying and easy meal, perfect for a grab-and-go lunch or a light, flavorful dinner. For those in Jersey City looking for something different and genuinely Japanese, Koro Koro provides an intriguing and accessible option.

Koro Koro is conveniently located at 538 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA. This address places it within a vibrant and accessible part of Jersey City, making it a straightforward destination for residents throughout the city and surrounding areas in New Jersey. Jersey Avenue is a notable thoroughfare, which aids in easy navigation for those driving or using public transport.

The location on Jersey Avenue provides reasonable accessibility for local patrons. While parking in urban areas like Jersey City can sometimes be challenging, being situated on a main street often means there are street parking options nearby, or public parking garages within a short walk. For those relying on public transportation, Jersey City boasts an extensive network of buses and is well-served by the PATH train, with stations often within reasonable walking distance of the Jersey Avenue corridor. This makes Koro Koro a practical choice for a quick and delicious meal, whether you're commuting, exploring the neighborhood, or simply craving their unique Japanese rice balls.

Koro Koro offers a streamlined set of services primarily focused on convenience and efficient delivery of its signature Japanese rice balls.

In-Store Ordering (with Tablets): Customers can place their orders directly within the restaurant using provided tablets. While cash payment requires staff interaction, the digital ordering system aims to make the process quick and self-sufficient.
Takeout: As a concept largely centered around portable food, takeout is a primary service offered by Koro Koro. Customers can easily grab their orders to enjoy elsewhere, perfect for busy schedules or a meal on the go.
Online Ordering: Koro Koro facilitates online ordering directly through their website and popular third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash. This allows customers in New Jersey to conveniently browse the menu, select their desired onigiri and other items, and place their order for pickup or delivery.
Delivery: Through partnerships with major food delivery services, Koro Koro brings its unique Japanese rice balls and other dishes directly to customers' doorsteps within their specified delivery radius across Jersey City and surrounding New Jersey neighborhoods.
Custom Preparation: The ordering system allows customers to specify how they want their rice balls prepared, for instance, "one in plastic, one ready to eat," catering to individual preferences for immediate consumption or later enjoyment.

Koro Koro distinguishes itself with several unique features and highlights that make it a notable spot for Japanese cuisine in New Jersey, particularly for its specialized offerings.

Onigiri Specialization: The core highlight of Koro Koro is its focus on Onigiri, the traditional Japanese rice ball. This offers a unique alternative to standard sushi, providing a convenient and fulfilling snack or meal. Their menu boasts a wide variety of onigiri fillings, including classic options like Spicy Salmon and Spicy Tuna, alongside more unique and fusion-inspired choices such as Miso Beef, Korean BBQ Chicken, Cochinita Pibil (spicy pork), Cuban (pork with black beans and plantains), Garlic Chili Shrimp, and even vegetarian/vegan options like Indian (chickpeas, sweet potato, curry) and Moroccan (swiss chard, red pepper).
100% Gluten-Free Menu: A significant and highly appreciated feature is that Koro Koro proudly offers a "100% gluten-free menu." This commitment ensures that individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease can enjoy nearly all their offerings with confidence, making it a very inclusive dining option in New Jersey.
Variety of Rice Ball Types: Beyond traditional Onigiri, they also offer Musubi, which often features grilled spam or other proteins pressed with rice and wrapped in nori, providing another portable and flavorful option. Varieties include Spam Musubi, Spicy Tuna Musubi, and Spicy Salmon Musubi.
Fresh Ingredients (Rice): Despite some past inconsistencies, recent reviews suggest that the "rice tasted fresh and hot," which is crucial for the quality of rice balls.
Diverse Side Dishes and Soups: Koro Koro complements its rice balls with a selection of sides and soups. These include appetizers like Gyoza (pork, shrimp, or vegan), Japanese Cabbage Salad, Japanese Potato Salad, and various soups such as Miso Soup and a daily "Soup Du Jour," which is often vegan.
Unique Drink Selection: They offer a range of refreshing drinks, including popular Japanese sodas like Calpico (Melon, Peach, Strawberry, Mango, Lychee) and Ramune, as well as Ito En's Oi Ocha Matcha Green Tea.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options: Koro Koro is very accommodating to plant-based diets, offering several clearly labeled vegan and vegetarian onigiri fillings (e.g., Umeboshi, Mediterranean, Indian, Vegan Teriyaki) and side dishes.

Koro Koro aims to provide value and convenience through various offers and bundled options for its New Jersey clientele.

Combo Sets (Setto): Koro Koro offers several combo deals that bundle their popular rice balls with other menu items, providing a more complete meal at a potentially better price. These include:
- Nomimono Setto (Drink Combo): Two onigiri of your choice plus a soda.
- Sarada Setto (Salad Combo): Two onigiri plus a fresh salad.
- Sūpu Setto (Soup Combo): Two onigiri with a Miso Soup (often vegan).
- Bento: Two onigiri plus soup and salad for the ultimate combo.
Box Sets: For larger orders or sharing, they offer box sets like the "Koro Box" (10 onigiri of your choice), "Spam Box" (box of Spam Musubi), "Musubi Box" (5 musubi of your choice), and smaller boxes of specific onigiri like "BBQ Korean Box" and "Miso Beef Box." These can offer value for group orders.
Daily Onigiri Specials: Customers are advised to "Check our Instagram Story for Daily Specials" on their "Daily Onigiri," which suggests rotating unique flavors or limited-time offers.
Online Ordering Promotions: When ordering through third-party platforms like DoorDash, keep an eye out for platform-specific promotions. These might include discounts on your first order from Koro Koro, free delivery for members, or percentage-off deals during certain promotional periods.

For the most current information on promotions or limited-time offers, New Jersey locals are encouraged to check Koro Koro's official website, their social media (Instagram), or their listings on popular delivery apps.

For New Jersey residents eager to experience the unique Japanese rice balls and other offerings at Koro Koro, here is their direct contact information:

Address: 538 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA

Phone: (201) 432-2033

Mobile Phone: +1 201-432-2033

For online ordering and to view their full menu, you can visit their official website: korokoro-ny.com.

Koro Koro maintains consistent operating hours throughout most of the week, catering to both lunch and dinner crowds. Their general hours are:

Monday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Please note that while these hours are generally accurate based on public data, operating times can occasionally vary, especially on holidays or due to unforeseen circumstances. It is always best to confirm the most up-to-date hours directly with Koro Koro by phone or by checking their official website/online ordering platforms before planning your visit or placing an order.

Koro Koro is a suitable and intriguing option for New Jersey locals, particularly those in Jersey City, who are seeking a unique and convenient Japanese culinary experience. Its specialization in Onigiri (Japanese rice balls) offers a refreshing alternative to traditional sushi, perfect for a quick, portable, and satisfying meal on the go. The extensive variety of fillings, ranging from classic to globally inspired, ensures there's a flavor for every palate, and their commitment to a 100% gluten-free menu makes it an inclusive choice for many.

The practical convenience of online ordering and delivery further enhances its appeal for busy New Jersey residents. While the experience may vary as they continue to evolve under new management, Koro Koro's dedication to unique flavors, dietary accommodation, and easy accessibility makes it a valuable addition to the local food scene. For those curious to explore authentic yet innovative Japanese snacks, Koro Koro offers a delicious reason to stop by and experience the simple joy of a perfectly crafted rice ball.

Koro Koro Photos

Koro Koro Location

Koro Koro

New Jersey Hudson County Jersey City Downtown Jersey City Jersey Avenue

538 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USA

Koro Koro Reviews

It’s under new management. There’s tablets now to order food. I asked for one in plastic, one ready to eat when the tablet asked how I wanted my rice balls. I was heading to work so I figured I’d eat one, and take one to go. I received both ready to eat… When I entered the restaurant, the employee just moved away from the counter and I asked if I could order with her or I had to order on the tablet. She said to use the tablet. I paid cash so I needed her anyway. When I ate the rice balls, the rice tasted fresh and hot but the meat was cold. Last time I came here, the rice was old and hard. It’s a hit or miss with this place now. The recipes are delicious but the quality of the products have gone down since the new management took over. Makes me sad because I really did enjoy the food here.
Jan 30, 2025 · K. A
When I went in, I ordered two rice balls. A spicy salmon and spicy tuna, the cashier took my order but seemed really tired. And then I said it was to go and they wrapped it in what looked like a tough Saran Wrap with a sticker but it was so hard to open that my rice ball came apart. And the rice ball itself had very little filling I was mostly eating rice. I have photos below of how it looked. I’ve had much much better at other places so I was really surprised. It made me sad because it is more expensive than other rice balls and I will not be going back.
May 20, 2024 · Janani Sivaram
Very delicious. It’s my first time eating at this place. I had the Onigiri of the Day which was a Coconut Curry Chicken onigiri (the yellow curry one in the photo), and I had a Salmon & Kimchi rice ball (the pink one). Both were different than the traditional ones I’m used to but they were very flavorful, creative and delicious.The customer service was awesome. The guy was polite and made my order quickly and efficient.Be careful opening the rice balls! There are instructions on the wrapping it comes in and it was a little tricky at first for me. After the first onigiri, opening the second one wasn’t hard.
Mar 23, 2023 · Angela Connell (EatPrayandSmile)
Super disappointing! I ordered the shrimp and spicy salmon. I got a tuna one instead of the shrimp so that was unfortunate. The tuna was okay, bland rice ball overall. The spicy salmon itself was good but the avocado inside of it was bad and had the stem. I would have rather the employee just tell me there is no avocado then what I received. I ate it right after purchasing so it was not sitting around for an extended period of time. Also you can see from the pictures the avocado is not just brown from air exposure but brown all through out. The employee was friendly and the rice balls themselves were wrapped correctly. Wish the quality and attention to detail was at a higher level.
Jul 18, 2023 · Patty Kochan
Came here by accident and soooo happy for it!!They have vegan options! We got the vegan teriyaki. Very yummy. My friends got non-vegan options and they were loving them as well.Not too greasy or dense. I’m very health conscious and really look places that won’t make feel super heavy after. This was a perfect filling snack or meal
Jul 16, 2023 · Nicole Gomez