“What was your most amazing meal in Tokyo?”
That’s a common question, and an easy one to answer. Our friend Natsu, a Tokyo resident, took us for a spectacular dinner at NINJA. It was an experience we won’t soon forget!
Upon arriving, a costumed “NINJA-in-training” escorted us through narrow, stone walled passageways, over a drawbridge, and into our private dining chamber. After being seated at a traditional, low table near an indoor stream filled with treasure, we were introduced to our personal NINJA and cook. Believe me, friends, one course was even more delicious than the next!
Two pint-size diners each enjoyed an enviable children’s meal featuring a variety of kid-friendly meats, seafoods, and sides. NINJA star crackers, colored a bold black using bamboo charcoal, were included in the children’s meal and were also featured in the first course of the adult meal along with foie gras.
The restaurant-provided descriptions of the eight-course menu we enjoyed only hint at the deliciousness…
1.Shuriken star-blades grissini
2.Cold Appetizer of the season
3.Chicken fritter NINJA style
4.Special stone-boiled soup (Japanese bouillabaisse) ***Side note: This was one of the best soups I’ve ever enjoyed!
5.Capellini with Japanese tomato flavor
6.Meat specialty or seafood specialty of the day
7.Sushi of the season & ｔoday’s Sushi Roll
8.Today’s dessert
I tried not to annoy my dining companions with too many photos. Here’s a peek…
At home in the US, many otherwise excellent restaurants view dessert as something of an afterthought. Not so at NINJA! To kick off dessert, costumed NINJAs burst into our dining area through a small window, carrying mysterious black boxes for the kids (Really, who loves dessert more than kids?). To the delight of the children, the black boxes emitted an impressive amount of “smoke” thanks to the dry ice keeping their frozen treats cold. What a special effect!
The grown-up dessert was just as fabulous, featuring a luscious apple custard wrapped around ice cream (how, I have no idea). Look how beautiful it is!
Tokyo offers something for everyone, of this I am convinced! If you have an aspiring NINJA among your travel companions (particularly if he is pint-sized), a dinner at NINJA will without a doubt make an utterly unforgettable experience.
Thank you, Natsu. We miss you!
Crowded Earth Kitchen 