Gilroy is fortunate enough to have one of the greatest sushi
restaurants I’ve ever visited. Ninja Sushi on First Street packs in
sushi lovers and keeps them coming back for more with fresh seafood
and generous portions.
Gilroy is fortunate enough to have one of the greatest sushi restaurants I’ve ever visited. Ninja Sushi on First Street packs in sushi lovers and keeps them coming back for more with fresh seafood and generous portions.
I dined at the newly expanded Ninja Sushi on a recent week night and was pleasantly surprised with the recent addition of a full bar area that is beautifully sleek, clean, and equipped with several large flat-screen TVs. The space gives patrons room to sit down and enjoy the wait for this popular restaurant. Until recently, the waiting area was standing room only, and hungry customers would spill out onto the sidewalk.
My party of two was seated immediately upon arrival. We were greeted in unison with a “hello!” from all three sushi chefs behind the sushi bar. We chose to sit at a table rather than the bar and were presented with menus. Our drink order was taken only few minutes later.
I ordered a large Asahi Japanese beer ($5.50) that was delivered ice cold and accompanied by a frosty glass. The cold beer was a smooth and refreshing treat for a warm September evening. For an appetizer, I ordered a bowl of edamame (steamed soy beans) that was served salted ($3.95). Edamame is heart-healthy, sweet and extremely addicting, but this batch was tough – it was hard to break the beans free from their skins.
Next, I chose a side salad ($1.95) served with miso dressing. The salad was a chilled mix of iceberg lettuce, cucumbers and a few coins of carrots. The miso dressing was delicious, with a hint of peanut-buttery flavor.
When I go out for sushi, I don’t shy away from the raw fish. I find it cowardly to order the more traditional Japanese box dinners that contain teriyaki or tempura. For non-sushi lovers, though, those menu choices are certainly available at Ninja.
I am always intrigued by the different arrangements of edible art served at different sushi restaurants – some of the creations can be quite beautiful. I generally stick to a la carte sections of the menu so I can pick and choose my feast.
Here, the sushi selections were served on small Japanese boat-like platters. I ordered maguro, a slice of sushi-grade tuna with wasabi (the green, hot Japanese horseradish paste) over a small brick of sticky rice (2 for $4.50). I also chose the sake – fresh salmon – served the same way but with a delicate slice of lemon on top (2 for $3.95). The lemon adds a zing of freshness to every bite of the raw salmon. Both orders were fresh, delicious and appetizing, without a hint of fishy flavor or smell. The sizes of the filets are generous – I don’t think I’ve ever been served larger pieces of fish at another sushi restaurant.
Continuing on with the meal, I ordered several sushi rolls: the Dynamite Roll ($3.95), the Spider Roll ($6.95) and the Monterey Roll ($4.95). The Dynamite Roll, more commonly known as a spicy tuna roll, contained raw tuna with a spicy chili sauce wrapped in rice and dry seaweed. The chili sauce had a huge bite to it, but I found the whole flaming flavor irresistible.
The Spider Roll was on the sweeter side. It contained deep-fried soft-shell crab, cucumber and avocado. All were rolled in rice and covered in a sweet sauce. The name “Spider Roll” was quite fitting. I couldn’t decide if the presentation bordered on artful or creepy with the crab claws reaching out of the center. The crab and cucumber supplied a delicious crunch, and the sweet sauce was not overpowering.
The Monterey Roll contained unagi (cooked eel), cucumber and crab. We ordered ours without the sweet sauce that came with the roll. I should make a disclaimer here and admit that I don’t care for unagi. It has a texture and aftertaste that just don’t agree with my palate. It is very popular with rookie sushi eaters because it is one of the items that is always served cooked.
Like all other servings of sushi, I dipped my rolls into soy sauce spiked with a generous dose of wasabi and pickled ginger. With each bite, my nose burned, my eyes teared up and my mouth felt like it was on fire – but I immediately went back for more of this delicious torture of the senses.
For dessert, I was intrigued by the mango ice cream. It was very light and tasted more like orange sherbet – a wonderful cleansing of the palate after the spicy meal. I also thought three scoops for $1.50 was a heck of a deal!
A good sushi chef will slice the fish in such a way that each bite melts in your mouth with without getting stuck in your teeth or being too stringy. Ninja Sushi has perfected this art. The restaurant offers generous portions and fast service in a friendly and casual setting. Domo arigato!
Jane Dough  was raised in Gilroy and returned after graduating from California  Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She enjoys cooking, caring for her husband and three small children, and dining out every chance she gets. Reach her at sl*******@***oo.com. All reviews for The Dish are anonymous, and all reviewers’ meals are paid for by South Valley Newspapers.
