Ninja Japanese Steakhouse brings hibachi, sushi and private karaoke to new downtown location
Milwaukee's newest hibachi and sushi place, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse, opened Wednesday and is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday beginning at noon.
It is the third location for the restaurant, which first opened in West Bend in 2011 and Menomonee Falls in 2013.
The three-floor downtown location, in the former Catch 22 spot at 770 N Milwaukee St., is Ninja's biggest spot yet.
"A regular customer recommended the space. I saw a lot of offices and no good sushi place around, so I thought we would be a good fit," said Li Chai Chen, owner of Ninja Japanese Steakhouse. "It's great that it's bigger too. I like to have space for families and groups and people celebrating. That's what makes me happy."
The first floor features a raw sushi bar where cooks make sushi in front of customers at the bar, along with booths and tables for customer seating.
The large menu includes more than 50 sushi roll recipes. Sushi bar entrees include spicy maki combo dinner; a spicy tuna, spicy salmon and spicy kani (crab) roll ($23); and sashimi dinner, 15 pieces of chef's choice of sashimi, served with a bowl of rice ($32).
The top floor has three teppanyaki grilling tables for hibachi-style dining available for walk-ins and by reservations. Another two grilling tables are in a private room for groups up to 50 people.
Hibachi entrees include 10-ounce chicken ($20), 8-ounce New York steak ($28), and tuna ($32), along with combo options.
The lower level of the space features seven private karaoke rooms with space for 15 to 20 guests. Karaoke rooms cost $159 for one hour, $259 for two hours or $300 for three-plus hours.
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The liquor license for Ninja Japanese Steakhouse is pending; it's on the City of Milwaukee's licensing committee agenda on Feb. 14.
If it's approved, the restaurant plans to serve Japanese beers on tap, such as Sapporo, Kirin and Tsing Tao, all $8. Cocktails include Happy Buddha, made with Bacardi Coconut, pomegranate liqueur, pineapple juice, grenadine and a splash of Sprite ($12); and Plum Blossom Express, made with plum wine, Nigori sake and Ty Ku Soju Japanese liquor ($14).
The restaurant also plans to have a large selection of sakes, and red or white wine by the bottle or glass.
Prior to the approval, Ninja Japanese Steakhouse will have only non-alcoholic beverages available for customers.
Ninja Japanese Steakhouse launched with a soft opening on Wednesday. Its hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday 3 to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 3 to 10 p.m.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New Milwaukee restaurant Ninja Japanese Steakhouse has hibachi, sushi
