West Little Rock – rejoice! A new local option has opened up for sushi lovers – and upon first glance – it looks promising.
Stealthily, not unlike a martial arts master, Ninja Bar, Sushi & Grill opened its doors to the public at the beginning of August. Located on 5501 Ranch Drive, the space formerly hosted Osaka Japanese Restaurant, which closed earlier this summer.
Ninja is a family affair – and effectively a sister restaurant to the River Market’s Wasabi Bar, Sushi & Grill. The menus between the two restaurants are similar, but differ largely in the bar program.
Speaking of the bar, when Hendri Phang and his brother Ferry Chow took over the space, they wanted it to be inviting – a place where you could stop for a drink or two during happy hour.
The plans for expanding out West have been in the works for quite some time. Chow says of the location, “We’ve been planning this for a year. … Wasabi was starting to really take off so we began to think about opening another location.”
The Ninja team put two months of work into updating the space – opening up the bar and making the sushi station a focal point. The entire space feels lighter, brighter and more inviting.
The head chef – Chow – brings serious skills to the equation. From Benihana to Sushi Cafe, the chef is proud to work with a solid team.
From Hibachi to countless original rolls, there’s a little something for everyone. The drink menu is expansive as well, with extensive wine and sake offerings as well as traditional and original cocktails. While it might seem counterintuitive – ask the head bartender for a Margarita. Just trust us.
Phang also suggests sushi lovers and beginners alike try the restaurant’s namesake – the Ninja Roll. Think tuna, salmon, yellowtail and red snapper with spicy crab on top along with Sriracha, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. Plus, it comes to the table on fire. As Chow said, “That little bit of smokiness makes this roll extra special,” and he’s not wrong.
Head out to try the new hot spot for yourself. The restaurant is open for lunch on Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinners Monday – Thursday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sundays.
