South of the Clouds Lands in JC

South of the Clouds Lands in JC

South of the Clouds has quickly earned a loyal following in Jersey City since opening earlier this year. Situated downtown near City Hall, the Yunnan-style Chinese restaurant now occupies the space formerly home to Salt & Ginger. This is the owners’ first foray in New Jersey as the first two locations are in the Upper West Side and Greenwich Village.

The name South of the Clouds is a translation of the Chinese word "Yunnan" — a province in Southwest China where one of the restaurant owners grew up. The menu focuses heavily on rice and noodle-based dishes, many of which highlight hearty ingredients like beef and pork — using nearly every part of the animals.

A standout specialty is guoqiao mixian (or "Crossing the Bridge Noodles"), a comforting rice noodle soup layered with chicken, fish, pig kidney and liver, and pickled pork. That said, one of the most popular dishes here is completely vegetarian. The 18-piece Fried Tofu is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and so delicious dipped in the accompanying sauce of fermented bean curd and chili powder.

South of the Clouds is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 10 PM.

313 Grove St, Jersey City