Don't celebrate Christmas? Try these Chinese, Japanese, Thai spots at the Jersey Shore

Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
·5 min read

Do you want to know a secret?

It's ok to change things up on Christmas.

If you don't want the fuss of cooking and cleaning, or you don't celebrate and want something to do, how about dinner and a movie? Channel Ralphie Parker and his "A Christmas Story" family and head to a Chinese restaurant, many of which are open on Dec. 25.

As for which movie will to see, December releases include "Wonka," "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom," "Migration," "The Iron Claw," "The Boy and the Heron," "The Color Purple" and "Ferrari," among others.

Here's where to find Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai cuisines near the Shore's movie theaters, and be sure to call before going in case reservations are required.

More: Christmas, Hanukkah: Here's the ultimate guide to the holidays at the Jersey Shore

AMC Brick Plaza 10, Brick

Ikko Japanese Steakhouse: Located in Brick Plaza near the movie theater, Ikko is a favorite for fresh sushi, hibachi and specialty rolls. Try the Lady Finger with salmon, crab, avocado and sweet mango sauce, or the Christmas roll with tuna, avocado and tobiko. 107 Brick Plaza, Brick; 732-477-6077, ikkosteakhouse.com.

Koi Asian Fusion Lounge: Years ago, this building was home to a Denny's restaurant. But instead of Moons Over My Hammy, the kitchen now serves a menu of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes, plus sushi. Try tuna and salmon dumplings, poke bowls, duck bao, pineapple fried rice, and lobster with ginger and scallions. 25 Brick Blvd., Brick; 732-255-1888, koiasianlounge.com.

Sentosa: Open for more than 20 years, this neighborhood spot has all the classic dishes: wonton soup, boneless spare ribs, crab rangoon, moo shoo chicken and beef with broccoli. 2063 Route 88, Brick; 732-892-9595, sentosainbrick.com.

AMC Freehold 14, Freehold Township

Burnt garlic tonkotsu ramen from Ramen Nagomi in Freehold Borough.
Burnt garlic tonkotsu ramen from Ramen Nagomi in Freehold Borough.

Oyako Tso's: If sushi is your family's favorite, head to Freehold Borough for the "royalty for four," a dish comprising 20 pieces of sushi, 40 pieces of sashimi and four rolls, plus soup and salad. There's also coconut curry seafood soup, crispy rock shrimp, and teriyaki and tempura dishes. 6 W. Main St., Freehold Borough; 732-866-1988, oyakotsos.com.

Pokok Southeast Asian Thai Cuisine: Break from the usual Chinese dishes at Pokok, which serves a menu of dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. 533 Solomon Way, Freehold Township; 732-414-6699, pokokus.com.

Ramen Nagomi: Try both classic and creative dishes at this downtown spot, which serves dishes like takoyaki (fried octopus fritters), shrimp bao with yuzu mayo, and ramen in flavors like burnt garlic, spicy miso and spicy vegetarian. 5 W. Main St., Freehold Borough; 732-630-1101, ramennagomi.com.

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AMC Monmouth Mall 15, Long Branch

King's Chef: Often named a local favorite for Chinese food, the extensive menu here has everything from mai fun, chow fun and egg foo young to pu pu platters, Szechuan chicken and roast pork with eggplant. 27 Montgomery Ave., Long Branch; kingscheflongbranch.com.

Pho 99 Vietnamese Restaurant: Pho fans will find a favorite at this restaurant in nearby Eatontown, which serves more than two dozen varieties of pho plus a build-your-own option. Round out the meal with papaya salad, spring rolls, sticky rice dumplings and fried chicken wings. 55 Route 36, Eatontown; 732-380-7933, facebook.com/Pho99Eatontown.

Basie Center Cinema, Red Bank

Pork belly ramen from Yumi, which has locations in Red Bank and Sea Bright.
Pork belly ramen from Yumi, which has locations in Red Bank and Sea Bright.

Muang Thai: For a pre- or post-movie Thai dinner you can walk to, visit Muang Thai for noodle dishes, curry, fried rice, fish and duck entrees. 7 E. Front St., Red Bank; 732-741-9999, muangthairedbank.com.

Yumi Sushi: This popular spot, which is a five-minute walk from the theater, serves sushi, ramen, rice bowls and more, plus omakase tastings. 9 Broad St., Red Bank; 732-842-8668, yumirestaurant.com.

Marquee Cinemas Orchard 10, Toms River

Sushi pizza at Ichiban in Toms River.
Sushi pizza at Ichiban in Toms River.

Fortune Buffet: At this buffet, located in The Orchards at Dover with the movie theater, pile your plates with sushi, made-to-order hibachi, appetizers and seafood dishes. 1311 Route 37 West, Toms River; 732-505-8383, njfortunebuffet.com.

Ichiban: Get dinner and a show at this hibachi restaurant, which serves the favorites: fried rice, lo mein, steak, lobster and chicken, plus a scoop of ice cream for dessert. There's also table service with a menu of sesame chicken, crispy red snapper, pad Thai, katsu chicken and more. 1201 Hooper Ave., Toms River; 732-736-8868, ichibantomsriver.com.

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot: It's the first Christmas season for KPOT, which opened this summer. The chain invites diners to cook at their table: You can build a ramen bowl on your own burner and grill steak, chicken and seafood on a grill in the center of the table. Don't skip the toppings bar, which is packed with sauces and extras like spicy kimchi and mini egg rolls. 2 Route 37, Toms River; 973-753-8177, thekpot.com.

More: Holiday recipes for buckeyes, jam squares, maple pecan cookies and more

Hot pot, made from meat and vegetables simmered in broth, at Fuji 72 in Stafford.
Hot pot, made from meat and vegetables simmered in broth, at Fuji 72 in Stafford.

Regal, Stafford

Fuji 72: Hibachi, sushi noodles, tempura and teriyaki fill the menu at this Japanese steakhouse, which is one of few places around serving hot pot. 626 Route 72, Manahawkin section of Stafford; 609-978-2888, fuji72steakhouse.com.

Pan Asia: Like the name says, this Barnegat restaurant serves a mix of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food. There's crispy pork gyoza, udon, Thai red curry, teryiaki entrees and sushi, plus the usual Chinese fare including kung pao chicken, pepper steak, sweet and sour chicken and chicken with broccoli. 770 Lighthouse Drive, Barnegat; 609-622-2286, panasiaonline.com.

Wonton soup from Pan Asia, which has restaurants in Barnegat and Lacey.
Wonton soup from Pan Asia, which has restaurants in Barnegat and Lacey.

The ShowRoom Cinema, Asbury Park

Asia Star Cafe: A 15-minute drive from the theater in nearby Tinton Falls, this Chinese restaurant has Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes on the menu. Think fried rice with mango and basil, General Tso’s tofu, and plenty of sushi. 4060 Asbury Ave., Tinton Falls; 732-922-1119, asiastarcafe.net.

Rice Asian Cuisine: Across the street from the small theater, you'll find a restaurant serving favorites like hot and sour soup, shumai, pineapple fried rice, and beef with garlic sauce. 718 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; 732-898-9988, riceasiancuisinenj.com.

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore Chinese restaurants to visit on Christmas Day