Fans of Taiwanese food may already be aware of Gulp. The restaurant’s original location is in Long Island City, NY. But now the restaurant has a second home in Jersey City. But now NJ residents don’t have to travel as far to enjoy the selection of authentic Taiwanese cuisine.
The new location for Gulp was previously occupied by a bubble tea shop. As a result, the restaurant still offers some bubble tea drinks. Their interior which can seat 24 guests, “embraces a simple and clean style,” says co-owner William Kuo. The restaurant has white brick walls paired with a wooden counter, reminiscent of classic Taiwanese street food eateries. Other nostalgic Taiwanese elements include traditional toys and signage, carefully selected tableware, and background music. “Our goal is for guests to not only enjoy our delicious dishes but also feel as if they are dining right in Taiwan,” William explains.
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Taiwanese Specialties
The Gulp menu specializes in authentic Taiwanese food. Their signature and most popular dishes include braised pork rice (Lurou Fan), beef noodle soup, and popcorn chicken. In addition to these classics, they recreate other famous Taiwanese street foods. Fan favorites include chicken rice, Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet, and Taiwanese sausage. “We’re bringing the true flavors of Taiwan to the United States,” William says.
Beyond traditional offerings, they also experiment with fusion creations. One standout is their spicy mala fries, crispy fries topped with their house-made Taiwanese-style mala hot pot sauce. “This unique combination has quickly become a crowd favorite and a signature item on our menu,” William says.
In addition to offering more authentic Taiwanese dishes, they plan to offer a light meal series. These options are meant to debunk the notion that Taiwanese food is oily and heavy. We hope to show a more diverse side of Taiwanese cuisine,” William explains. “We understand that many people want to enjoy delicious food without adding extra calories or burdening their bodies. Therefore, we plan to present Taiwanese flavors in a different way, allowing everyone to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine while also eating healthy.”
About Gulp
The owners behind Gulp are three young men from Taiwan. Jeff Liu has extensive experience in the food and beverage sector, covering everything from renovation and design to vendor relations. William Kuo brings extensive marketing consultation experience for domestic and international well-known restaurants. Michael Hsu is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, handling everything from kitchen operating procedures to recipe development.
Visit Gulp at 110 1st St in Jersey City. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Gulp
