09/20/09

Great food, but service needs work

by yavora

Food is typically excellent in this small establishment; Last night we waited for 10 minutes for a table, then were seated at the bar and waited for 10-20 more. The servers didn't seem to understand us very well (heavily accented English) which led to some awkwardness.

• Pros: Food is generally above "I love sushi" quality
• Cons: Servers don't speak English well; Overcrowded

02/02/09

Authentic Japanese food in a homey atmosphere

by fdawn1

This is the greatest place for raw seafood, small dishes like beef tongue and/or croquettes, or for simple comfort food like ramen and bento. The food is prepared delicately and every aspect that goes into the meal is very refined and top quality. It's a very small restaurant, but the owners and staff make it quaint and comfortable when you walk in. The service is moderate, patience is a virtue when it comes to Japanese food. I recommend the sashimi - uni is fresh, so is tuna belly (toro) and salmon. Ask them for special imports - they'll have geoduck at times and some other rare fish from time to time. Beef tongue is great if you are in for an unusual but savory bite. I love the pumpkin fried rice and the asari ramen. The unagi don is also very great. I love this place! There is an ever-changing menu, so be sure to ask them what is fresh for the day. They give you fruit and chocolate after dinner, what a nice gesture. I enjoy this place and consistently go there with my family for Japanese food. I hope their business continues to thrive. I suggest you try Ginza out when you are around the old Bellevue area.

• Pros: Fresh seafood, authentic Japanese food
• Cons: Parking, service may be slower at times

11/21/08

A good spot for sushi lovers!

by foodandi

I have been to Ginza t least 8 time and service and food was pleasent and consistent; A small space can be very busy and could result in a long waite. There are two rooms in traditional Japanese style that can be reserved for larger groups. I would mostly reccomend sushi and sashimi. The service is friendly and attentive for most of the time. The food is fresh. They serve lovely friute on ice after your meal and that adds an elegant touch.

• Pros: nice service, small private feel of a family owned palce,fresh food and lovely presentation
• Cons: could be hard to get a seat

09/07/08

The food is great, but customer service has fallen

by kristylsummers

The sushi, sashimi and appetizers are wonderful. And, while the servers are nice and cordial, they are just not on top of it like they once were. I had to ask several times for more water, asked for a different sauce with an appetizer and didn't come, had to ask for a box/the check. Not sure what is going on at Ginza, but the service has fallen down. Food remains excellent - try the fried oyster appetizer, the yellowtail and salmon nigiri and the shrimp tempura roll. A note on the other, more fancy rolls - they are HUGE, the the point that there is too much rice and you can't put a piece in your mouth. A little too Americanized. If you like rolls, stick to the simpler, less expensive selections.

• Pros: Fresh fish, delicious appetizers
• Cons: Service lacking these days

03/18/08

Terrific place for a date or anytime

by Franklin50

great place to take a date or dine anytime. Real authentic sitting tables and staff. Ambience was great to enjoy our meals. Repeat business in the near future.

• Pros: Great atmosphere, easy parking, prompt staff
• Cons: tucked away (but makes for private dining)

03/17/08

Awesome Sushi & experience

by WestBellevueKing

great service & great food. Sushi is the best in town (eastside and westside) There should be more places like this around. Very friendly and prompt staff. Very knowledgeable chefs & waitresses. Great place

• Pros: sushi, soup, ambience, parking

08/21/07

High Quality Sushi, Inconsistent Service

by nwesterner

Ginza is my favorite Sushi on the Eastside And I am a Sushi perfectionist! The portions are always ample and the quality is excellent. I sample the safe choices like spider rolls etc...but also lean towards more adventurous items like Ikura (salmon eggs) and fried fish heads and they are all fresh and tasty. The service can sometimes be lackadaisacal and slow especially during busy times. Even tho there is a few waitstaff that have been there since the beginning..they seem to have a lot of turnover w/the younger crew and they always seem to be in training and can appear lost. That said, the food is always consistent and a treat!

• Pros: Quality Food and Portions
• Cons: Sometimes slow Service

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Sushi, sashimi and cooked Japanese specials at this restaurant tucked away in Bellevue's old town.

03/25/07

Great raman noodle, especially the pork belly

by lex3y

Good sushi and wide range of selection. There is a dish where you can cook on hot rocks. It's something you should try. Sorry, I forgot the name. The sushi and the sashimi are good, although the rice could be a little more softer.

The thing to try differently than other Japanese restaruants is their ramen - pork belly miso one. They also have a dish with pork belly and green onion which is also very good. Not for those on diet. One thing I like about Ginza is the desert. Regardless what you order, they always give you complimentary fruit presented on ice and a zen like plate leaving you wanting to come back.

Happy Eating !

• Pros: Good Ramen
• Cons: sushi rice could be a little more softer

05/18/06

huge selection of delicious appetizers

by buster_baxter

This restaurant is the place to go if you like to try out delicious things not found anywhere in this area. The huge menu of appetizers is fun to navigate through and I've tried at least 50 of them, and all are good. The food looks beautiful, tastes delicious and is very authentic.

The chef definitely loves to cook as it shows in his creation.

I recently tried their tempura too (I am usually too busy with the appetizers than to try to usuals) and was surprised. The tempura is not greasy at all and just unlike those in many other local restaurants. Once again I am impressed by the chef's skill.

My extended family has gone to Ginza with me for an omakase dinner and they were equally impressed.

• Pros: authentic, attention to details