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Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: TriBeCaChambers St-W Broadway (1, 2, 3)
Chambers-St-Park Pl (2, 3, A, C, E)
City Hall-Broadway (R, W)
"OMG! i found a similiar yakitori boy like philly!! woohooo!! i SOOO LOVE THIS PLACE!! i wish food was open all night though. the sushi was…" read more »
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One of our friends told us how great of a time her brother had at Ninja and she wanted to go during our visit to NY. As you enter the dark restaurant, you are taken down an elevator and then through a ninja passage before getting seated. All of the servers are dressed up and play the part of a ninja which I thought was quiet unique.
For drinks we got the rin cocktail which was amazing! They also offer $3 Sapporo and $5 Heineken, so that was decent prices for the beer.
As for food, you have the option of ordering a la carte from the menu or the pre fixed menus that range from $38 - $88. We decided to get items from the a la carte menu and just share amongst ourselves.
For the food, we ordered the Scorching Toban, Katana and Fish and Chips. I didn't like the fish and chips that much and I didn't think it was worth $18 for a few pieces of fish and yam chips. The Toban was actually my favorite dish which was similar to a hot pot of seafood. It included a large piece of salmon, clams, scallops, mushrooms and seawood. This dish is pretty large and I think can be shared amongst 3 people! The Katana which is an Angus steak and an Alaskan crab leg dish serves 2 people (per the menu) for $50. I thought that the presentation of this dish was beautiful and the food was good. Our table also ordered the bombshell and floating sushi which was a pretty small portion and pricey. These two dishes had a "ninja star" next to it, which meant that you would receive a show or magic trick with the order, but it wasn't something spectacular.
For dessert, we got the bonsai which came with some type of custard, chocolate cake crumbles and this pastry on top that looked like a bonsai tree. I thought that this dish was nicely decorated as well.
I think coming to this restaurant is mainly to go for the experience, not the food. From all of the ninja's jumping at you during your meal, I'm sure you'll have a good time!
I was so incredibly disappointed by this place. It's all about the theme, the food was pretty terrible.
I was in New York for a family reunion and we were all planning to check out Ninja. However, plans started to change later in the afternoon, and half of our group decided to put the visit off for another day.
However, my cousin, my nephew and I still wanted to give the place a shot, having heard so much about it.
Walking in to the dark Ninja cave was really a very cool experience. From the moment you step into the elevator, the expectation factor goes way high. You start thinking "Damn... They really put a LOT of thought into this place."
The servers stayed in character for the most part. Except for the one guy that acted like he hated his job more than anything. (You get to be a freaking ninja, dude! How can you hate it?!?!?!?!!!!!1111)
Anyway, the presentations were cool, we had swords randomly swinging towards our throats throughout the meal. Fire and smoke erupting from our food.
But then it came down to the food.
Barf.
I didn't finish 75% of it, because it was just not good. The only menu we were given was a pre-fixed menu, so we all ended up spending over $100 each for very mediocre (if not worse) food.
The Red Pond was awful. Whatever was in that sauce totally ruined any flavor of the black cod it was served with. And I love Japanese black cod. Or maybe, that was the intention. To cover up the lack of fresheness in the fish.
The steak, was dry, and tough. For goodness sakes... I could make better steak using the reduced priced cheap fillets from the market and on my cheapo mini charcoal grill.
I was horribly devastated about the quality of the food. What am I spending over $100 on? Why go through all the trouble of coming up with fantastic sounding menu choices, if you're just going to half-ass it in the kitchen?
Then comes the ninja that starts performing Magic Tricks. He comes off nice and friendly, starts to act a bit like a smart ass while doing his tricks, then he waits for you to give him a tip at the end of the performance, and when he doesn't get an ideal tip amount, you're left with that "You stingy bastards" look.
Hey... We didn't ask for your magic tricks. My nephew is only 12 and doesn't have a money tree in his pocket. And we're already paying an arm and a leg for dry, disappointing food. ( I still tipped him what I could despite that and his unimpressive magic tricks).
Then came the finale... It wasn't until after the restaurant, that my family asked why they didn't just give us an ala carte menu.
Wait... They had an ala carte menu?
It's definitely expected of places to have ala carte menus, but many expensive restaurants have small, prefix menus. And since that was the only menu we saw, we figured that was just how it was.
So, we basically spent hundreds of dollars for food we wouldn't have ordered had we known we had a choice, and the food we DID want, made me wish I hadn't ordered it.
Check it out for the experience. The ninja theme is real cool.
MAKE SURE they give you an ala carte menu.
Make sure you have a back up restaurant to eat at afterwards; after you've decided you want nothing more to do with the food at Ninja.
I, on the other hand, will just pay a bunch of actors to dress up as ninjas and sit in a cave with them, and eat grocery bought sushi if I ever want that experience again.
I've been wanting to go to this place ever since I read a a Forbes article on the "Top 10 Most Unusual Restaurants in the World". Ninja immediately stood out to me because I LOOOVE Naruto and I think ninjas are so cool. The other unusual restaurants was a restaurant that serves you food in pitch black, and another one that offers private dining that suspends you 1,000+ feet in the air. My brother also loved this place when he took his coworkers, and called me in the middle of work raving about this place.
Don't go to this place wanting exceptional food - you should look up Michelin rated restaurants if you're looking for that kinda food. This place is rated "unusual" because you will never get this kind of experience anywhere else.
Besides what was previously said (the "dangerous route" vs. "safe route", a ninja that performs magic tricks, and ninja dishes), I loved the ambiance and experience. We went with a group of 6 and our ninja didn't scare us excessively at all. During dinner, he only scared us once, and once when I went to the bathroom. However, it's not annoying and I felt that it was all in good fun. It's just startling because you don't expect them to be there, and the fact that it's pitch dark you're more susceptible to the slightest noise.
I'd recommend the rin for alcohol, the fish and chips, the katana, and the scorching toban. The floating sashimi and bombshell isn't worth the money. Food is probably a little above average.
Best to come here in groups versus a 1 to 1 dinner, especially for birthday dinners (just tell the host and they'll arrange a birthday dessert with their name written on it). Everyone was so friendly and made it a fun time for us. I think everyone should definitely check it out if they're in NY. Keep an open mind because as adults, we basically know how they do their magic tricks, but I'm sure free champagne for ladies (Sun-Wed) will do the trick! ;)
I was taken to Ninja the other night for a surprise birthday party and after having never heard about the experience I was very pleased. Our server, Robert, was polite, funny, down to earth and easy going. Our group of ten had an amazing time, partly due to the atmosphere, but mostly due to the excellent service that Robert (and the rest of the NINJA crew) provided. I have already been raving about this restaurant, and it has only been about 24 hours since I have been there.
Good place, good food, amazing experience. Go hungry.
One word: overrated.
Ninja is extremely pricey but you're basically paying for the experience. The food was mediocre. I've had much better sushi (NOBU= LOVEEE), and to be honest the food is forgettable. Order the sake samplers!
The ambiance is pretty relaxed. I felt it was a little too dark for me though, but I liked the cool castle feel.The ninjas constantly startling you gets really old after the first few times. I was getting annoyed as I tried enjoying my food. It could have been toned down a couple of notches. I thought I was going to choke when one opened the sliding door next to our table asking how our meal was, as I just put something in my mouth. I was afraid to go to the bathroom because I didn't want any unexpected "ninja surprises" aka attacks. I'd recommend this place for a birthday dinner or something, for shits and giggles.
Oh, and take the "ninja way" in ;).
If you are in the mood for something a little different, look no further. It is kind of like a mini-Disney restaurant in NYC. If you have kids, this would be a great night out. The staff is incredible (and they are dressed like ninjas!)!
Funny story on how I found the place: the majority of the staff took a road trip to Boston years ago and stayed in the youth hostel that I was helping manage. Never before had I met such an eclectic team who really loved their jobs. So, I vowed to visit their place of work. 2 years ago I dropped in after hours and had a tour with my father. 2 weeks ago I finally had dinner there.
The food is pretty good (I did try skate fish for the first time), but nothing phenomenal. It really comes down to the fun interior, the costumes, the attitude and the performances. The sake list is pretty nice, too:) It was fun, but I am happy with it being a one-time experience.
This is a fancy restaurant with a silly theme, something I haven't really pictured before. The food is ok nothing special, the four stars are for the experience. It's just fun and different, and for an $80 dinner it better be.
Get a group together and go here once to learn the ninja secrets. I don't know why anyone would come back a second time after they've seen all the surprises and magic tricks.
I came here for a date and I will have to say that the 'theme restaurant' actually was a great ice breaker. The decor was pretty well done throughout the restaurant and its actually pretty quiet inside besides the clapping and laughing from the 'ninja' dishes. Speaking of the ninja dishes, there really wasn't anything special about them short of some kind of flair such as a katana, dry ice, etc -- but it still was kind of fun. The staff at ninja is actually great, and they make jokes and such throughout the meal that were quite enjoyable for the two of us. We didn't get a chance to see the magic show guy as we were on our way out, so I can't comment on that. If he was anything like the waiters/waitresses it probably would have been worth seeing.
The food itself was kind of lackluster -- We started with the Batto Jutsu which really wansn't impressive and only came with 2 small pieces of meat. For the main course I had the Bonfire which was actually a decent portion size, but was pretty fatty and average at best. I did not try the fish, but my date said it was good -- though she didn't seem overly impressed with it.
Clearly the reason you come here is for the 'experience' not necessarily the food. That being said, I would give the food a 2 or maybe a 3, while the design and the uniqueness of it would get a 4. I wouldn't come back unless it was for a party or the like. Honestly there really is better food in the neighborhood, and once you have experienced Ninja, you have, well, experienced it, and there isn't really anything to keep you coming back.
I went to Ninja for my 25th birthday with my parents, brother, boyfriend and 2 friends. I went mostly on the suggestion of a friend who works near there and just popped in once after work. Ninjas are your waiters? The restaurant is based on a "Ninja Castle"? Okay, I'm there.
You have to keep some things in mind if you're going to go here: It's silly, it's a theme restaurant in Manhattan and it is ninja-themed.
My advice to you in going here is to go the "ninja way" when they offer it, have a lot of the specialty drinks and maybe some appetizers and probably skip on dinner. None of the food was great or memorable (except the one I had to pull a sword out of) but you're not really going to a place like this for the food. We had a full dinner but I'd recommend apps, drinks and fun.
I personally had a blast and even found the magic trick guy amusing but I'm kind of cheesy at heart. Okay, I'm rambling. But yes, food is overpriced, underportioned and not-that-great. But come for a drink and the ambiance and your own personal ninja room and I think you'll have fun.
went here for a birthday party the other night and while it wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, i certainly won't judge anyone who enjoys it. it's kitschy, but that's clearly what they're going for, and the food is slightly better than most other overpriced, themed places in the city.
while menu options are essentially pretty basic, they try to spice some up with "ninja signatures." for example, before eating my caesar salad, i had to break up a gigantic cheese cracker which doubled as a cruton. other diners ordered "floating sashimi" which was presented on a small plate within a huge bowl filled with dry ice. nice touch, but not worth the $25 they paid, in my opinion.
entrees were surprisingly large considering the reviews i had read - based on those, i would have thought i'd have to find a pizza place within an hour or so afterwards to properly sate myself. chicken teriyaki was good, not great, and the wing was covered in waaaaay too much black pepper.
picked at other people's dishes as well. eel and shrimp tempura rolls were about what you'd expect. the sushi selection as a whole, however, struck me as underwhelming. desserts were well presented, but again, nothing extraordinary. drinks are nice to look at, but also seemed overpriced (with the exception of the $3 sapporos).
service was corny and clearly designed to be a big hit with kids. at least the servers seemed to have a good sense of humor about themselves, which made the whole thing much more comfortable for everyone. the magician was entertaining and took our ribbing in good spirits.
if this were a more "normal" japanese restaurant with better prices, wider selection, and less corny staff, i might give it three stars. unfortunately, the food was just average, there wasn't enough of it to choose from, and my wallet still feels very alone as a result of my trip there. glad i went once, but i'm definitely not itching to go back.
To start off, if you don't like having your live threatened (even not for real), don't go here. Everyone is dress as ninjas and will try to scare the crap out of you whenever you aren't paying attention, like reaching for your neck when they are setting your food down.
The japaneseish food was tastey, pretty pricey for what it is though. I had one of the course menu items, which had sushi, salmon, and brisket. I was stuffed by the last course.
Overall, I'd go again if someone else wanted to experience it. It's pretty fun once, but I can see the ninja act getting old a second/third time around.
Ninja is an expensive cheap thrill. The Ninja theme is played to perfection but overdone. They cater to diners expectant of a fun and unique experience and surely you are given that upon your arrival, but what starts off as promising and exciting, actually ends up being a bit irritating and ridiculous.
It's great fun to be ninja-attacked while you are being led to your cozy and secluded booth in the cavernous dining area, dark and chill with that antique castle decor and mood. In amusement, you laugh off the first few "hi-yahs" with conciliatory humor, but after the progression of your evening, you feel as though you are on pins and needles between each course because your ninja waiter (or waitress in our case), will mock karate chop you "out of the blue".. it's as if you simultaneously expect it, but don't and I guess that is the point of dining here, but still, it does strike genuine terror in your system. At least it did in mine. I was even afraid to go to the bathroom in fear of being ransacked on my way to the ladies room.
That said, the food is also a bit skittish. We didn't have enormous appetites so we ordered from the a la carte menu. We had a few apps to share and some rolls. The seasonal greens salad was delicious but misleading in it's description, "a selection of fresh vegetables handpicked by our chef at the market, tossed with Japanese infused Balsamic" I was expecting something unique but all we really got was a small heap of mixed greens dressed up on a nice glass plate with a few shreds of radish. The Balsamic was excellent though. A nice blend of tangy and sweet. The Creamy Shrimp (aka Rock Shrimp Tempura) was actually quite good. The creamy mayo sauce seemed delicate and thick at the same time. I didn't really get the hint of condensed milk but it was tasty nevertheless and my friend enjoyed it very much as well. The dancing plantains were crisp and light, but a touch bland. The accompanying sauces were forgettable. Next, were the rolls. The Jalapeno Star and the Spicy Tuna Roll were just ordinary. I have definitely had better rolls elsewhere and within the same price range as Ninja's offerings.
In hindsight, I am a bit saddened by the fact that we didn't try more dishes. The tasting menu would have been interesting, I think, or even the signature dishes might have been the way to go. In any case, even though I am interested in getting more of a taste of Ninja, I can't be subjected to the Ninja theme again. It's too expensive to dine here and to have to mentally expend your energy in prepartion for your next fake-me-out attack. It is hard to focus on the meal and that is primarily my joy when I dine out. Needless to say, I was happy to have left the restaurant after my meal.
Before I forget, I did have a house cocktail which was extraordinary. The Kai (Sake--muddled blackberry mixed with dry sake, vodka, mango juice and chambord) was not too overbearing and really refreshing. And for dessert, we shared the ninja star (come on, we just had to!), and that was more satisfying in the presentation (they flame something table-side), than the actual taste.
Ninja could also really do without the magic trick show. That added to the overall cheesiness of the operation. This of course, is no insult to the waitstaff as they are not only serving you but also playing a role and performing a show with deft and skill. They really do look and act like ninja warriors. I commend them for that.
To end, Ninja might just want to rework a few aspects and tone it down a few notches. Instead of first-and-last-time diners like us, who would never go back, they should work on ways to develop a restaurant with a regular customer base for repeat business all while keeping their unique ninja theme. How to go about this however, is as mysterious as their dark, secretive passageways.
I would give it a three and a half star but i can't. It was fun going into the restaurant you can choose two different paths and of course my girlfriends and i picked the danger path and that's when the ninjas are jumping out trying to scare you. It was fun! The food and drinks are good.
The portions are extremely small and it is over priced! And trust me we did order a lot and it still didn't fill us up. Some of us had to go to gray's papaya to get full!
Went here over the summer with a group of 5. The waiter was pretty awesome, kept up with the jokes and sarcasm that me and my friend Ro spit out to everyone. He was pretty funny and very helpful with the menu and picking out sake.
This place is pretty gimmicky and to me lame (but im a pretty jaded person), but hey if it floats your boat then cool. The food was japanese-continental with some ninja gimmicks in presentation. We all did one of the prix-fix dinners and personally i wasnt impressed by any of the food - whether japanese or american. especially the potatoes au gratin side that comes with the steaks - tasted like campells broccoli cheese soup with chunks. I did kinda enjoy the bonsai tree pudding dessert though but it was missing a bit of something, perhaps not sweet enough.
On the way to the bathroom the floor felt like someone spilled a bottle of vegetable oil and smeared it all over the floor and i felt like i was going to slip and fall in flats.
Basically, this place was cool to say that i went there, but the food and drinks were not impressive at all, and a bit pricey for the quality of food.
Of course I had a great time at Ninja- after all, there were Ninjas jumping out behind corners screaming "hi-yah," doing magic tricks, and the atmosphere was fantastic... BUT it was extremely expensive for (1) very, very small portions, and (2) for only ok food. I enjoyed the batto jutsu (duck) appetizer, but my entree, the spare rib, had way too much fat on it, which made it very greasy. Also, for such a greasy meal, it really could have used some greens or potatoes, or something else, but it didn't come with anything else on the plate. My dessert, the rainbow, was alright, and I tasted everyone else's desserts, which were also alright, but again, if I am paying that much for food, it better taste AMAZING... and it just didn't reach the bar for me.
Therefore, if you decide to go, I suggest you go with a group, come with a large wallet, and don't come with an empty stomach because you might leave still slightly hungry.
It's like dining in a Theme Park. Old world Japan at Epcot or such.
Our waiter was chubby Hispanic ninja who bowed and scream "HAI" every few minutes for effect. The menu was on a scroll and all the tables are in small little "huts". Cute. The food on the other hand was so-so, the drink was syrupy sweet and gave me a headache the next morning, but all in all, we had a fun night.
I recommend this place for birthday parties and when you want a fun night.
2.5 Stars.... still debating which way my review tone should be set.
Likes:
1. Huge portions - "Do Do Do Do Do" share your tasting menu with
another person. I did share a tasting menu with another person
but still took 2/3 of my steak home.
2. Unexpected entertainment - playing cards Ninja, Joking Ninja,
Surprise Ninja and Party Ninjas.
3. Privacy - your party gets its own room deep in a Ninja village.
4. Great for Birthday/Special events - it seems every room had
something to celebrate that day.
5. Playing Cards Ninja - you were really cool man~~ he is real.
6. Bidets? (+0.005)
Dislikes:
1. Wait - 1 hour+ for the table w/ the reservation and 4 hrs long
dinner - I was sleeping while eating, dinner ended near 2 AM
(technically the next day).
2. So darn dark - even though this is simulated Ninja era, no hopeful
tomorrow 'another day will come' exists in this village. Quite
spooky and easy to trip over.
3. No real Ninjas - most were heavily accented(?) western or
American pure breed Ninjas. - oh wait a couple of real(?) ones who
greet you.
4. Extra charge for replacing dishes on the tasting menu - wasn't told
about it and found in the bill -- totally, Not Cool.
5. Surprise Ninja attacks - wasn't funny and some got pissed off.
6. Bidets? - mine didn't work (-0.0075)
Recommended?
Oh well...I am still debating... I will let you know by Christmas...
Five stars for the experience alone...
First, keep in mind that you don't go to Ninja on a budget, expecting to find some hidden gem. Part of the charm (and most of the cost) is paying for the costumed staff, the elaborate landscaping, and private booths. Pretty much a special occasion only place.
That being said, the food was very good and our waitress was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the different types of sake (we did the tasting menu). The service was excellent and the "demonstrations" were a great experience.
There was a "report card" with our Ninja bill, which was suspiciously missing a "C" grade but included an "A+" in addition to an "A" as options. Apparently ninjas are never average, just stupendous or failures.
Ambiance: B
Yes, it's novel and fun for a birthday outing. The sliding rice paper doors means even a table of 4 gets privacy. Unless your door doesn't slide easily, which makes your ninja look quite the opposite of stealth: clumsy and disruptive.
Drinks: B
Free champagne ladies! I didn't finish mine, it tasted like it would be headache-inducing. I did have a lychee cocktail and the table enjoyed various kinds of sake (one from CA even) and other fruity drinks.
Food: B-/C+
I remembered it being better than this. I would order heavy on the apps and skip the entrees. Our ninja joked that the food is stolen from Nobu. It's not.
Entertainment: A-
The ninjas work hard for the money, so hard for it honey. From putting fake machetes through our window and the magic tricks, they really put the effort in to get their 20%. My first app was set aflame and there was lots of dry ice in the house.
Overall: B
$330 w/o tip for a table of 4. There are many 4 and maybe even fancy 5-star places that would cost you $80+pp. So if you go, go for the entertainment, and the fancy heated toilets with front and back bidet action.
Meh, is right.
All fluff and no real good eating.
I knew this prior to taking the bro out to dinner for his 21st -
more about the song and dance they put on and less about the food.
I go and find that the song and dance is pretty lame and it was much, much less about the food than I had expected.
The food wasn't terrible, but if I have to pay $5 for a bowl of 'ninja-rice' that tastes like something from a box of Uncle Ben's rice (no disrepect Uncle Ben, but I can afford your rice for like a $1), no thank you.
There's a magic show that is performed for you at your table at the end of your meal. This is optional. Opt out. If you opt for it, remember to tip the magical ninja that does card tricks...???? Yes, card tricks. Who knew...
I went on a Monday evening and they gave my sister and I complimentary flutes of champagne. Ladies night, they called it. That was nice. And kind of weird.
These ninjas are so random...
Like any amusement/theme park, you go for the fun not the food. The same principal is applied to Ninja New York. The ambiance and staff deserves 4 stars and the food is 2 stars, thus the final rating is 3 stars. Ha!
Went there for a birthday. Was entertained with slightly cheesy japanese wanna be ninjas from the beginning to the end. Our waiter Johnathan was super nice and thoughtful. He had a plot of making me order the Rose chocolate cream dessert (which I did) , he then proceeded to play around and ended up with me kissing my bf in order to get a white rose that was placed in between his lips.
We went with pre fix menu and it was just fine to share between two. We had Bombshell (very fresh), Sushi rolls (not memorable... too much rice and definably not refined enough), cooked tuna fish slices over poblano pepper filled with white cheese ( fish was over cooked and dry. Poblano pepper? erm? Is this an asian fusion restaurant?) and ended with Medium rare huge ribeye which came with 3 sauces to dip (steak not too awesome, it was ok). The pre fix menu was wrapped up with Rose-something chocolate dessert.
Alcohol were all generally good but on the expensive side. The group shared the floating artsy sashimi which came with dry ice and looking kinda pretty. The sashimi was melt in your mouth goody. But the dish was too expensive ($25) for 12 very tiny slices.
Overall it was an entertaining experience for a group birthday dinner. Wouldn't go there again for the food though.
ps. Ladies, the bathroom have asian style automatic cleaning toilets. Enjoy.
First and foremost...I NEVER do reviews...mostly because I don't feel like going through the registration process on these websites. But I had to take the time to review this place because it is pure awesomeness.
I read many of the reviews on Ninja before I went, and I realized that most of the "bad" reviews were isolated incidents. While Ninja is VERY expensive (dinner for two came out to $145.00) I thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and the staff. I got karate chopped several times and a Ninja star was thrown at me!! It was AWESOME!
As for the magic show, I thought that was great too! I love watching slight of hand tricks!
If you take yourself too seriously, then maybe you shouldnt go to NINJA. But I had an amazing time, its definitely a nice place if you want to have a special, intimate but fun dinner.
Seriously Yelpers, we need the half start for the rating options....
Anyways, Ninja NY ..more than 3 less than 4. I decided 4 because at the end is such an experience.
If you are yelping and in the process to take a decision this is my advice:
- Ninja is almost a 5 (I need the half... I need the half !!) if you are celebrating something with a group of friends.
- Its a 3 if you just go for dinner.
- And definitely this is not my dreamed date place
Read the other Yelpers reviews. I organize a B-day and a Farewell party for 10 and it was really useful.
I asked something special for our guys. So they focus on them and they will receive a surprise.... that I'm not gonna tell. Talk to your waiter and explain why you are there.Is what you want right? to honor your friends
Something critical when you try to decide is: how much is it? It worth a visit besides the performance? The food is good. But if you go to Ninja is not only because the food, is all about a different experience. You want action babe! So do it right and choose some of the Ninja Art Dishes. Fire and smoke in your food, your waiter will do a 2-5 min presentation .... very interesting. Special effects apart, the food is nicely presented. Very nice!
If you order A la Carte you can't be wrong with the rolls. And the ribeye steak is huge and good (better medium red). BUT listen, do it easy and spend a reasonable amount of money: Share with someone any Course menu. Yeah, SHARE. Either the Kunoichi, Sasuke or Hanzou are more than enough for 2 and includes some of the Ninja Art Dishes and your choice of dessert (I suggest the black sesame ice cream... um mm). The drinks menu is also very good. Try the Sake tasting or some of the cocktails. I really like the Zei Ginger Martini.
If you follow this, at the end you will spend $50-60/person including tip and drinks. Which I think is very reasonable for what you get.
The service is very friendly, and professional. And if you play the game they will follow you. Hey! this is another important point: is an interactive experience. So play a little and they will give you more. But of course keeping respect....
The magician: you have to tip him independently. So, this is extra money in your dinner. He is good, very good, and funny. Card games (at least in our dinner). About 10-15 min. He'll choose one of your group as assistant. Its fun.
No questions about the beauty of the place. They recreate an ambiance. Guess like a real Ninja Castle, but I haven't been at any since I'm living at the century 21, so.... I can't tell. But looks like it should be like that. It's an underground cave, an authentic scenario like in a movie. Very nicely decorated with individual rooms for your party, either if you are 2, 4, or more people.
And now the bad experience in our dinner... 30 min wait for our table, even having a reservation. But they seriously apologize.. so well we can skip this. And also, almost 4 hours dinner, because the waiting times between dishes... But, you are in a private room with your friends... so at the end who cares?
I've always been fascinated with the ninja. So much that I decided to become one. Attempts at formulating my own smoke powder were thwarted by my mom kicking my ass, as I usually just created a giant mess in the kitchen, so I decided to leave ninjutsu to the pros. In addition to killing with the swiftness of the wind, those at Ninja Restaurant can also cook.
Before we were seated we had a choice between the safe path and the dangerous path. We took the dangerous path, of course. Because what kind of a vag takes the safe path in a restaurant called "Ninja"?
As we took our seats, in the blink of an eye, our ninja waiter drew from his forearm several drink menus. We decided to get some sake and some lychee martinis. The house sake was pretty decent, and the martini was pretty girly. We were given the choice of picking dishes a la carte or from one of four tasting menus. I chose one of the four tasting menus, which was about $50. I usually associate Japanese food with being hungry an hour later. Japanese food is great, but listen folks, I work long hours and it takes a lot to fuel this machine. However, Ninja Restaurant served a solid batch of food that left me barely able to walk. The food was good, but the dessert was great. Go for this place, even if it's just to say you have. 3 stars for the food... +1 star for the atmosphere you won't find at a typical restaurant.
Ninja exerts a better ambiance when visited as a group. The ninja theme isn't as exciting as it claims. If anything, it seems awkward and forced, but if you play along or if you get buzzed before arriving, it can be enjoyable (though I wouldn't return again unless another group of friends decide to have a celebration there).
We definitely had the better "ninja". Ask for Ichi (aka Jonathan Peter).
I definitely recommend sharing the Sasuke tasting menu (choose the bombshell as the first course instead of the batto jutsu). The food isn't great, but the Sasuke includes the 22 oz steak and has enough course varieties for you to feel satisfied (and stuffed to the throat).
The mojito cocktail is a definite pass, stick to the recommended Rin cocktail (advertised as "heaven in a glass" -- not really, but it's good).
We went to Ninja last night for my husband's birthday. My hubby loves video games and all things ninjas (I think he has gone as one for Halloween multiple times), so I thought this would be a perfect place to celebrate. I wasn't wrong.
The walk up and down stairs in a dark hallway is the most Disneylandish part of the experience and not entirely pleasant for myself. It was reminiscent of walking through a haunted house, waiting for a terrifying face to pop up around the bend. This is not to say it wasn't fun, but I'm not a fan of haunted houses, never was, so the husband got more out of this than I did.
We were seated in a small alcove with sliding panels for doors. It's nice because, even though you can hear the noises from the other tables, you still feel a modicum of privacy. The atmospheric music is not what I would call ninja-inspired, but it is very smooth and low, also helping to calm you down in what could otherwise be an overwhelming, amusement-park experience.
Our ninja, whose name I unfortunately do not remember, was fantastic. He was funny and bantered with my husband and myself all night long. When my husband slipped to the bathroom, he asked me, "What's your husband's name?".... and I will explain why later.
Drinks arrived quickly; I really liked my husband's lychee and champagne drink, but my lemonade and blue curacao concoction was a little sweet (it was also the cheapest mixed drink on the menu, which can override any saccharine flavor). We had just eaten lunch a couple hours before, so I wasn't particularly hungry. My husband ordered the sasuke tasting menu and I got an appetizer with plans to nibble off of his plates. This was actually more than enough food for the both of us and we had leftovers to bring home.
The food was certainly adequate and much of it was above average. Our dessert and steak were very, very good. This is where I differ from a lot of other reviewers; when you go to a themed restaurant like this where the entertainment is prized over the dining, the food will always be second-thought. But Ninja is certainly trying to put together a yummy show and they mostly deliver. Have I had better Japanese? Yes. Have I had better Japanese while being served by ninjas in a feudal Japanese castle? Certainly not. Compared to Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe, Ninja is serving some fancy fixings. But if you are going out purely for a meal, then don't bother coming here.
When dessert came, there was a chocolate plaque that said Happy Birthday and my husband's name. Many of the staff and the owner of the restaurant came over and sang, to the delight of my husband and the other cheering guests.
There was also a magic show by a man so tall he had to stoop to enter the alcove. They were parlor tricks, but it was lots of fun. As we were walking out of the restaurant, a ninja followed us to the elevator and, as the door began to close, pulled out a scroll that said "Happy Birthday." A great end to a great evening.
In the end, it was a fantastic time and my husband continually repeated "Best. Birthday. Ever." I thought prices were pretty high, but not outrageous for what we received and for the location (For god's sake, it's NYC). The staff was obviously having fun with their jobs and I was impressed that the owner was there on sight the whole time, overseeing. Thought has been put into every moment you spend there, from the decor to the menu to the staff to the heated toilet seats with oscillating bidets (Those Japanese and their weird toilets). I would certainly go back with a group or just for a fun, out-of-the-ordinary date. Leave your pretensions at the door, give yourself to the magic and gimmick, and leave with an experience you will relate to your friends with a laugh.
We went to Ninja New York for our group of 5 Halloween party.
The Place is very dark and the Ninja jumping out to welcome you. Food is very expensive, two slice duck is $18 dollars.
Our waiter girl didn't Hi-Ya too much to us. We ate our meal and paid over price bill ( for party of 5 or more a 20% tips is automatic including to bill )
I don't think we will go back any time soon.
Ok, I'll admit. This place was awesome! It's like Disneyland Ninja style!
When my boyfriend suggested this place to me, I was like, "WTF? Why do you want to go to a restaurant just because it's named Ninja restaurant???!" But then, I realized after reading about the restaurant and watching YouTube videos that it was much MORE than a restaurant!
The experience of just going INTO the restaurant is awesome! We made our friend, who had no idea that we were going there, go first through the "passageways."
Skipping to the meal. I ordered the Hanzou course menu. For the first course, I ordered the Bombshell, which was really good. The scallops were fresh. The presentation was also cool--but...all of the presentations are awesome!
Next came the Nigiri sushi, which was extremely fresh! I could've eaten that all night.
Next I chose the Kiriakbu. It was in a "wooden" filo block, which you pretty much had to karate chop to expose your food--but word to the wise...make sure that you don't karate chop so hard! The filo flakes will go EVERYWHERE.
My friend chose the red pond, which was extremely good. I thought it would be spicy, so I didn't choose it. It says "spicy" in the description, but it really wasn't.
Next, I chose the rib eye steak because I'm not a big fan of the lamb! The steak was HUGE. It was just OK...I only ate 1/8 of it probably.
The dessert was just ok, but the presentation was awesome.
The magic show was pretty nifty!
I'd go back to have friends experience it. :)
I hated this place!!! DO NOT GO TO NINJA. I'm upset that I dished out $70 here when there are hundreds of other restaurants in NYC that would be actually worth it.
First, they lead you through this "secret passage" and you're thinking how cool, until you exit and find yourself at the elevators where you got off in the first place. WTF. Is it that hard to design the passage so that it will lead to your dining area? Why waste our time going in a circle?
Second, the service was SUPER slow. Our party was there for almost 3 hours and we could not wait to leave. It took forever to order drinks and then to get drinks, I think that we didn't order actual food until like 45 minutes after we sat down. The waiters didn't provide forks and knives with the food, we had to wait additional 10 minutes or so to get the utensils necessary to eat the food. Our plates came out in some haphazard order where only half of us were able to eat at any given time. One guy didn't get his 3rd course until everyone else had finished eating.
Third, I knew not to expect 5 star food at a restaurant that's the equivalent of Medieval Times for Japanese food. But seriously? The food was like 2 star quality. I paid for the special 5 course menu. It's not even worth talking about the food. Let's just say that my salmon was bland and overcooked with the skin still on the bottom and I got this weird dish with braised beef mixed with cheese inside an onion bun. I have to give credit though, the portions were HUGE for a 5 course meal, I think it's too much food for one person. I did enjoy my dessert though, the rose chocolate one, partly because I got to keep my white rose.
Anyway, the entertainment part wasn't even that great. Some people get to chop open their dishes, other people got dry ice mist rising out of theirs. Our ninja was lame and did not perform any cool tricks. I repeat, DO NOT GO TO NINJA.
Average food. Overpriced.
The rolls were average.
One of our pork dish was over-cooked, dry.
Below average, according to New York standards.
Pro:
Unique ambiance.
The waiters were relaly nice and informative. They were also very into character which made the whole ninja feel of the restaurant even more enjoyable! A little bit overpriced but the restaurant is so different that its worth going. PLus the bathrooms are amazing! I wish i could have one of those washlets at my house!!
This was such a fun, enjoyable place. All the waiters were friendly and the food was yummy too!
The ambiance was very fun. When you enter street level you have to take the elevator down to some sort of ninja hideout/cave thing. You feel like you're being taken to the magical hideout of ninjas... well, foodie ninjas.
Although the food is good it's pretty expensive the most expensive being the tasting menu. There is the option of a la carte but you don't get the full fun ninja experience w/o ordering the tasting menu. Oh, what to do, what to do?! If you can spare it, I say go with the tasting menu. If you go a la carte, it's still all good. :) When you go with the tasting menu practically all your food is interactive with you. You get to pull out swords, chop up your food, have it magically appear, etc etc.
I definitely want to go back here for more ninja awesomeness. Oh! If you've ever seen the videos about Ninja New York and have seen the videos about it you may have seen the owner/creator guy. We saw him when we went and he even held our door open for us :D How humble and unpretentious... I thought that was very neat.
Decor: * * * *
Food: *
My ninja waiter: 1/2*
My sister took us here for my birthday. I was very excited to see what this place had to offer since it seemed like an interesting place/concept.
We chose the mystery path or whatever it was. Since we took the elevator down with another party and we were behind them we didn't even have the pleasure of getting spooked. Probably that would've been the highlight of the evening.
The decor was really nice - they did an excellent job. Food, however, was mediocre. Our server, even less.
They advertise Sun - Tues, complimentary champagne for the ladies. My sister and I did not get any. I guess you'll have to ask (!?!)
On the menu there is a star on certain entrees that has a special ninja presentation. We ordered a ceasar salad which had a star. The ninja that brought the salad came from behind me with a plastic knife and asked me to stab this flat parmesan thing that was laid on top of the salad. Um, THAT was the special ninja presentation.
When we got the bill, a different ninja came to our table. He said, "I'm the world's tallest ninja and the whitest. Are you guys interested in seeing a trick? It is free but tips are appreciated." Needless to say, we passed.
If you are a native New Yorker, I don't think you will be impressed with this place. I appreciate corny things (I enjoyed The Wedding Singer) but I didn't find this place amusing at all. It was very cheesy and gimicky.
I think this place would have a lot more potential if it wasn't so hokey and had regular waitstaff rather than have less enthused staff dressed in silly ninja outfits and asking for tips for tricks.
Maybe I'm just jaded... but I was not impressed. Thank god for the good company. Had I not been with an awesome group of people, I probably would have hated the experience.
First of all, we had to wait like 20 minutes for our table. Then when we go in, our Russian "ninja" asks us if we want to take the easy path or the "dangerous" path to our table. Of course, we took the dangerous path. And by dangerous, they mean you walk through a closet with no lights. *yawn*
The food wasn't all that, but I guess you're supposed to be there for the "ambiance." Whatever. The "Rock Garden" wasn't at all what I was expecting. For some reason, I was expecting an indoor koi pond with a water wall and some nice smelling flowers in a serene garden setting. But instead it was just some regular tables with some plastic flowers hanging all over the place. REALLY!?!?
The waiters were great, but after the meal, some dude with some playing cards came by to show us his card tricks and hustle some money out of us. Hahaha... it wasn't terrible (his jokes were though lol).
And to top it all off, my meal was like $80. OMG! If the food had been good, that would have been fine. But it wasn't good!
It wasn't all bad. I mean, it was a new experience. So... yeah...
I'd say that this place as a shelf life of two visits: The first time, when you get taken there as a surprise, the second, when you surprise someone else. After that, I'm worried all the Ninja mystique might start to get costly.
I was disappointed for the other reviewers with boring Ninja waiters. Our server was friggin awesome. He scared the crap out of me like 3 times with his damn Ninja stealth.
Sun.- Wed. are Ladies night, so you get a lovely glass of bubbly to start your night. They had a Ninja-magician walking around and I left with a sheet of free stickers. If that doesn't sound like a good time, then I don't know what to tell you.
Possibly the biggest disappointment I've had when dining out. We had seen the Youtube video, and read some good reviews of the place, so we were looking forward to getting one of the "paths" to our table. The elevator was not working that night, so we ended up following our waiter down the emergency exit stairs... So much for that. Although, judging from other reviewers, the paths weren't exactly worth it.
I will admit that our waiter was entertaining, and carried out his ninja theatrics just fine. I had also looked at the online menu beforehand; so I wasn't surprised by the prices. I wasn't prepared for the fairly small portions of the food, or the poor quality. It doesn't matter if your food is pierced with a katana, surrounded by mist, or literally pulled out of your waiter's ass; it won't make bad food taste good. I mean, if I wanted to pay for theatrics, and eat Japanese food, I would just go to Benihana's, for a fraction of the price at Ninja. Benihana's may not be 'authentic', but neither is Ninja New York.
Try bringing a Japanese person here, and see what they think. If you find it hard to imagine how awful this place would be, then imagine a restaurant called Cowboy Tokyo. At Cowboy, you are presented with a bastardization of the Wild West theme. The menu consists of items such as the "6 shooter burger", "The prospector steak", "Billy The Kid's hotdog". Then, somehow, the restaurant manages to make every single one of these dishes taste like pure, untreated SHIT.
Don't bother reading any reviews that give this place over 2 stars. Anything more, and they either grew up eating feces, or they're a weeaboo that loves their manga and anime a little too much.
I really had high hopes for the place as the "scare" & "surprise" elements is what ultimately attracted me. Unfortunately the adjectives will be used in a more negative light. =(
When you first walk in - the vibe starts off strong. It's dark and you have to travel up an elevator. Then when you're off the elevator they make you choose the "safe" or "danger" path. Clearly our group choose the danger but was slightly disappointed.
The interior is slightly gawdy, more designed for a disneyland type setting. The waiters do not fit the description of ninja as they are all white and flamboyant.
Then we got the portions of the food - ridiculously small. I know it's an Asian themed restaurant but my $25 sashimi plate included 9 pieces of fish.
We got a nice little performance at the end of our meal which was pleasant but by then you're so drained with with the atmosphere, it's difficult to enjoy it entirely.
What a great experience with Ninja restaurant!!! I took my date here for a surprise dinner.. of course secretly hoping I can impress him with my creativity..
I was very pleased with my experience here, the food was great as well. I absolutely loved the ninja humor. anyways let's get back to the food talk.
1. My date ordered from the fix menu 5 course( BORING :-)
2. Instead I ordered a seaweed salad, beef and sake ( portions were huge) even with 2 courses I was pretty full in the end
I've been quiet few unique places like this. I would say this is definitely on top of my chart.. in terms of uniqueness, quality of food and reasonable price
Perfect for 1. small group 2. HOT DATE ( please don't just take any date here, not everyone deserves this place) 3. special occasions ( bday, anniversary)
Sure it's not the best sushi/food you'll get in the city, but it's tasty and fun. Absolute A+ for entertainment and presentation. I've been here three times, and it's always a winner for a birthday if you're willing to dish the money. The bombshell surprise is always a winner and the sashimi served over a bowl of dry ice makes me want to smile. Other dishes involving sword tricks are always a welcome and the staff always stay in character (if not only to show you a magic trick). The little cave you walk through from the elevator is a fun, suspenseful intro to your meal, and the Japanese village set-up is awesome. Throughout the night, you'll hear laughter from every party there, and it's great knowing that others are enjoying the experience as much as you will. The bonsai dessert is good and I'd refrain from the rose pudding thing since it's really nothing special (save for the dry ice display recycled from the sashimi).
The only letdowns were the sake (not a big fan of sake to begin with) and the corny exit (where they say "sayonara" to you by holding a scroll up that says "sayonara").
It's expensive, but it's worth it for the entertainment and portions of food. My friends and I went to ninja to celebrate my birthday and it was very enjoyable. Flames and dry ice left and right, our ninja was hilarious and entertaining. Most of us had the sasuke pre fixe meal that included 5 courses. By the time the 4th course came and we saw the 22 oz ribeye steak, we were overwhelmed with the size after the prior 3 courses. We all tok 5 bites and took it to go. The food was good, not great but well worth the money if you're here to celebrate :)
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