Walk into the Staten Island Mall parking lot and you'll see the usual suspects: a Target, some sprawling asphalt, and the general hum of suburban commerce. But tucked into a corner of the E.J. Korvette shopping plaza is something that shouldn't exist anymore. Jade Island Staten Island NY is a legitimate fever dream of 1972 Polynesian pop culture that survived the death of the "tiki" trend, the rise of health-conscious dining, and the literal collapse of the shopping malls around it.
It’s weird. It’s loud. It’s glorious.
Honestly, if you grew up on the Island, you know exactly what the air smells like the second you push through those heavy doors. It’s a mix of fried wontons, maraschino cherries, and that specific, heavy scent of a tropical drink that could probably strip paint off a boat. While most themed restaurants feel like a corporate board decided "retro" was a good aesthetic, Jade Island is different because it never bothered to change in the first place. It didn't "go retro." It just stayed.
The Design That Time Forgot (And Why We Love It)
Walking into Jade Island is a sensory slap in the face.
You’ve got these massive, dark wood booths that feel like they were carved out of ancient mahogany. Then there’s the lighting. It’s dim—dark enough that you can’t quite tell if it’s 2:00 PM or 10:00 PM. That’s the magic of it. Above you, there are glowing pufferfish lamps and thatched roofing that looks like it’s seen some things.
Most people come for the nostalgia, but the architecture of the place is a masterclass in the mid-century Tiki movement. This wasn't just a "Chinese restaurant." It was part of a specific American subculture where Southeast Asian flavors met South Pacific escapism. Think Trader Vic’s but without the pretension and located right next to a Burlington Coat Factory.
It’s one of the few places left where the "Pu Pu Platter" is served with a literal flaming hibachi in the center. You’re sitting there, in the middle of Staten Island, roasting a piece of skewered beef over an open flame at your table while a 1970s-era waterfall trickles in the background. It’s tactile. It’s kitschy. It’s awesome.
The Legend of the Tiki Drinks
Let's talk about the Scorpion Bowl.
If you're going to Jade Island Staten Island NY, you aren't ordering a craft IPA or a skinny margarita. You’re ordering something that comes in a ceramic bowl the size of a birdbath, decorated with painted hula girls, and filled with a lethal combination of rums, fruit juices, and brandy.
They use these long, neon straws.
The drink menu reads like a history book of tiki culture. You have the Zombie, the Navy Grog, and the Mai Tai. These aren't the balanced, artisanal cocktails you get in a Brooklyn speakeasy where the bartender wears leather suspenders. No. These are heavy hitters. They’re sweet, they’re strong, and they’re garnished with an aggressive amount of fruit.
A Menu Stuck in a Better Decade
The food at Jade Island is "Old School New York Cantonese."
This is an important distinction. We aren't talking about authentic Szechuan peppercorns or trendy soup dumplings. We are talking about the food that defined dining out for generations of New Yorkers. We’re talking about egg rolls that are thick, bubbly, and actually have some crunch to them.
- The Spare Ribs: They are bright red. They are sticky. They are exactly what you want when you're leaning into a "cheat meal."
- Wonton Soup: It’s clear, salty, and comforting, usually arriving in a heavy ceramic bowl that has probably been in the kitchen since the Reagan administration.
- Chicken Chow Mein: It’s the kind of dish that relies on texture and that specific savory-sweet profile that modern fusion places just can’t replicate.
Is it "gourmet" by 2026 standards? Probably not. But that’s missing the point. The point is the consistency. People go back to Jade Island because the Shrimp with Lobster Sauce tastes exactly the same today as it did when their parents took them there after a Little League game in 1988.
Why Jade Island Survives When Others Closed
Staten Island has lost a lot of its landmarks over the last decade. The retail landscape changed. The mall went through massive renovations. Yet, Jade Island stayed put. Part of that is the fiercely loyal local customer base.
There's a specific "Staten Island" vibe here. You’ll see a family celebrating a 90th birthday in one booth and a group of twenty-somethings who think the tiki aesthetic is "ironically cool" in the next. The staff, many of whom have been there for decades, treat everyone with the same brisk, efficient kindness.
It’s also one of the last places where you can get a full meal and a heavy drink without taking out a second mortgage. In a city where a burger and a beer can easily run you $45, Jade Island feels like a win for the working class.
The Celebrity Factor
Believe it or not, this place has a cult following outside of Richmond County.
Anthony Bourdain—rest his soul—was a fan. He grew up with this kind of food, and he understood that places like Jade Island weren't just about the calories; they were about the soul of a neighborhood. When he visited, he didn't mock the pufferfish lamps. He celebrated them. It gave the restaurant a bit of "cool" factor that it honestly didn't even need, but it definitely helped put it on the map for foodies who would otherwise never cross the Verrazzano Bridge.
The Reality of the "Tiki" Experience
Look, let's be real for a second. If you’re looking for a quiet, minimalist dining experience with white tablecloths and a sommelier, you are going to hate it here.
It’s loud. The decor is "a lot." The carpet has a pattern that was designed to hide spills from 1975. But that’s why it works. It’s an escape. When you're inside, you aren't in a borough of New York City. You're in a weird, wonderful version of Hawaii that only existed in the minds of mid-century architects and restaurateurs.
The "Island" in Staten Island usually refers to the geography. At Jade Island, it refers to an atmosphere.
How to Do It Right
If you’re planning a trip to Jade Island Staten Island NY, don't just show up for a quick lunch. You have to commit to the bit.
- Go with a group. Tiki culture is communal. You need people to help you finish that Scorpion Bowl and to split the Pu Pu Platter.
- Order the "Old School" stuff. This isn't the place to ask for a kale salad. Get the Moo Goo Gai Pan. Get the Sweet and Sour Pork. Embrace the nostalgia.
- Bring cash. While they take cards, it just feels more authentic to peel a few twenties off a roll when paying for a round of drinks under a giant wooden tiki god.
- Take photos. The lighting is terrible for your phone’s sensor, but the background is gold. The wallpaper alone is worth a post.
The Future of Jade Island
There’s always a fear that these "mom and pop" landmarks will eventually succumb to rising rents or a lack of interest from younger generations. But Jade Island seems different. It has reached a level of "kitscy icon" status that protects it.
It represents a time when going out to dinner was an event. It wasn't just about refueling; it was about being transported. As long as people still want to feel like they've stepped into a time machine—and as long as they keep serving those spare ribs—Jade Island isn't going anywhere.
It’s a reminder that Staten Island isn't just a "bedroom community." It has these deep, weird pockets of history that you can't find in a sanitized Manhattan neighborhood.
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Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're heading to the mall specifically for this experience, keep these logistics in mind to make the most of it:
Timing is Everything
Friday and Saturday nights are the peak "vibe" times. This is when the regulars are out, the bar is full, and the energy is at its highest. However, if you want to actually hear the person sitting across from you, a late Sunday afternoon is the move. It’s a classic "family dinner" time on the Island.
The "Secret" of the Pu Pu Platter
Most people don't realize you can usually ask for substitutions on the platter. If you hate chicken wings but love the beef sticks, just ask. The kitchen is surprisingly flexible for a place that looks so set in its ways.
Parking Logic
Don't try to park right in front of the restaurant during holiday season or busy weekends. The E.J. Korvette plaza (where Jade Island is located) gets notoriously jammed. Park a little further out by the main mall entrance and walk over; it’ll save you twenty minutes of circling like a shark.
Respect the History
Remember that for many people there, this isn't a "theme park"—it's their local spot. Treat the staff with respect, and they’ll usually give you the best seat in the house (the ones near the back waterfall are the most coveted).
Final Pro-Tip: If you're ordering the Scorpion Bowl, make sure you have a designated driver or a rideshare app ready. Those ceramic bowls are much stronger than they look, and the Staten Island Expressway is no place to be after a run-in with three different types of rum.
Go for the food, stay for the pufferfish, and enjoy one of the last true relics of 20th-century New York dining.