Chinese restaurants (next to movie theaters) open on Christmas Day in North Jersey
Christmas is coming! But if you're from Bergen County? Odds are you don't care — because there's, like, a 2 in 5 chance you're Jewish.
And if you're from the western side of Morris? You're already waiting for next year's Diwali.
When I was in third grade, one of my classmates told me she was going to spend Christmas day at the movie theater watching Alvin and the Chipmunks. After that, she explained, it was "her mom's tradition" that they go get Chinese food. She was Jewish, of course, and "all her friends" would be doing it, too.
Later that night, I told my mom to sign me up for Hebrew school; because I'd damn well prefer shrimp toast and cartoons to another boring afternoon with my cousins.
It didn't take.
Years later, though, we jumped in — for an evening — on the tradition, catching La La Land after dinner.
And, this season, if you're looking to do the same (or actually are Jewish), here are five movie theaters and Chinese restaurants open next to each other on Christmas Day.
Soup Dumplings Plus and IPIC Theaters, Fort Lee
Soup Dumplings Plus is known by many to be one of the most authentic Chinese food gems in the Garden State. Within the past two years, NJ.com called it a Jersey Chinese restaurant you "need to try," the New Jersey Digest named it one of the top ten spots to get dumplings and we — of course — chimed in, ranking the hole-in-the-wall as one of the best hidden dumpling destinations in the state. In other words, the humble mom-and-pop is a local must-try.
If you're looking for the perfect time to pay a visit? Look no further than Christmas Day. Located only 0.4 miles from Fort Lee's IPIC Theaters, the spot is ideally located to enjoy a basket of shumai after watching the nationwide premier of The Color Purple.
Go: 0.4 miles apart; Dumplings: 1550 Lemoine Ave. #109, Fort Lee. IPIC: 2023 Hudson St., Fort Lee.
Cheng Du 23 and AMC 14, Wayne
One of Jersey's more upscale Chinese restaurants, Cheng Du 23 is a great place — whether Christmas or not — to celebrate a special occasion. Serving award-winning Szechuan dishes from Whole Fish with chili sauce to Tea Smoked Duck with crispy skin, the team of chefs makes every night feel like a holiday.
This December 25th, I'd recommend stopping in after watching Wonka at Willowbrook Mall's nearby AMC 14. The film is full of decadent, delicious imagery, and is sure to get you in the mood to devour multiple courses on luxurious white tablecloths.
Go: 0.3 miles apart; Cheng Du: 6 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne. AMC 14: 67 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne.
Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet and AMC 12, East Hanover
Holidays are all about eating and being merry, so why not go to a place where you can eat all that you want? If you don't celebrate Christmas, I can tell you — from an Italian perspective — that Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet is the closest you'll get to experiencing a bottomless, over-the-top December 25th dinner. At East Hanover's newest Asian buffet, towers of seafood and piles of desserts are the name of the game.
Beyond Chinese food, Flaming Grill also has Japanese influence, with an endless sushi selection, a made-to-order hibachi grill and an all-you-can eat raw bar. They also have at least eight varieties of chicken dishes, so you won't feel bad stopping in after watching the new duck movie (Migration) at the AMC 12 down the street.
Go: 0.8 miles apart; Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet: 240 Route 10 Ste. 10, East Hanover. AMC 12: 145 Route 10, East Hanover.
New Tasty Too & CityPlex 12, Newark
If you're a thrill seeker that enjoys sneaking food into movie theaters, I'd suggest ordering takeout from New Tasty Too and heading over to CityPlex 12 in Newark. Only a five minute drive apart, the former will prepare all of your favorite Chinese food classics for smuggling into the latter. Some of the highlights on the mom-and-pop's menu? Fried Baby Shrimp, Roast Pork with Garlic Sauce and Hunan Beef.
And, don't worry — crushing an order of General Tso's Chicken doesn't mean you can't still get the popcorn.
Go: 1.6 miles apart; New Tasty Too: 14 Green St., Newark. CityPlex: 360-394 Springfield Ave., Newark.
Empire Hunan Restaurant & AMC Garden State 16, Paramus/Fair Lawn
The interior of Empire Hunan Restaurant in Fair Lawn has red rugs and upholstered chairs just like the Chop Suey Palace featured in the last scene of A Christmas Story. At the spot's cozy tables, therefore, it's easy to escape into the magic of the holiday season (even if Christmas isn't exactly your thing).
My personal go-to order on the menu is the Whole Peking Duck, as the traditional Beijing dish is robust with flavors from sweet to umami. Whatever entrée you choose, however, make sure to chase it with a movie at the Garden State Plaza AMC. Whether you're into Aquaman or not, the ICEEs at the theater are fantastic — especially after a plate of dark meat, scallions and salt.
Go: 1.7 miles apart; Empire Hunan Restaurant: 38-16 Broadway, Fair Lawn. AMC Garden State: 4000 Garden State Plaza Blvd. 4 & 17, Paramus.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey Chinese restaurants and movie theaters open on Christmas
