Authentic Japanese flavor! Excellent service and very reasonable prices. Kids-friendly too. It has become our favorite Japanese restaurant!
Frances
This restaurant has an ordering system that is accessed through a QR code. All of the ordering except for the yakitori is done on the phone. If you don't have a phone or are not tech savvy it may challenging. However there is a booklet menu on the table and is easy to see what they offer instead of scrolling on your phone. Skip the bento and order the izakaya way (small plates) and share at your table.
Christophe Gaboury
It is a nice izakaya food place. The staff there are very kind and attentive. We were able to get a table and order easily. Came during happy hour so wasn’t too busy either. The ordering was quite quick as you can order the happy hour dishes through the online menu. The skewers you order through the paper. Once we ordered the food came quickly. The skewers were pretty tasty. I liked the chicken skewers and the sausage skewer. We also tried the carbonara udon, and it was nice. The curry fries though, it was really tasty. Almost taste like a poutine. Overall a lot of yummy stuff.
Overall it was good, with good service, although some items took longer to be served. I was disappointed that they did not have everything on the menu. Even the items they list on the wall were not available, and I was told they were only decoration.
Branko
Izakaya Ginji is a true gem, cozy and inviting just like the small spots in Tokyo. We immediately noticed the care in each dish: the layers of flavor, the thoughtful presentation, and those subtle, distinct tastes you don’t find at most Japanese restaurants in the valley. The miso pork is insanely good, the daikon salad is fresh and crisp, the wagyu beef skewers melt in your mouth, the fried chicken perfectly crispy and seasoned, and we even tried the spider roll, which was surprising for an izakaya but they knocked it out of the park. Everything far exceeded what we expected from the photos and reviews.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Catherine Ye
A small cute joint for Izakaya. We enjoyed almost every single dish that we’ve tried from two visits: tapas, salad, skewers are all highly recommended! The skewers are particularly flavorful given the special wood coal they use. They may seem a little short staffed on the service side so it takes a little patience, but not severe enough to impact the overall experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Steven Calhoun
Went out with some coworkers while visiting the area and was blown away with the food. We wended up ordering a lot of dishes which all had their own amazing flavors. My favorite was the Ebbi Chile, but the chicken karaage was a close second. Very cheap beer plus mouth watering food made for a very memorable outing. Friendly staff as well! Thanks y'all!
Eugenie Ooi
Skewers were juicy, well seasoned and overall yummy. The beef finger and lamb were my favorites. We ordered a lot of the tapa plates and enjoyed most of them, the pork cheeks were very crispy and reminiscent of chicharrones, the karaage chicken comes in very large chunks, and the eggplant(miso nasu dengaku) was nice and saucy. I enjoy pork belly but the buta bara miso glaze was okay. I wish it was more tender. The ika maruyaki or grilled squid is a go to for me, as well as the ankimo. The fried hotate or scallops were nice and crispy with yummy slightly chewy scallops inside. The chuhais were fruity and very easy to drink.
Abbey Keck
The Corn Butter and Tosaka Roll were both good. Not a fan of the Age Mochi Oroshi
Hans G
Very mid restaurant. Overpriced skewers, not that good. Meat didn't taste fresh.
The quality of the cuisine and the attentiveness of the service staff are both exceptional. I highly recommend the gyudon, as the combination of rice and beef is a harmonious blend of flavors. Additionally, the beef skewer is a delectable option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cary
We've been coming here for 2 decades. Lovely family owned business. Delicious authentic izakaya food, excellent service, fun area
Jason Chou
Ginji has remained one of our favorite izakayas in the Bay Area.
Authentic Japanese flavor! Excellent service and very reasonable prices. Kids-friendly too. It has become our favorite Japanese restaurant!
This restaurant has an ordering system that is accessed through a QR code. All of the ordering except for the yakitori is done on the phone. If you don't have a phone or are not tech savvy it may challenging. However there is a booklet menu on the table and is easy to see what they offer instead of scrolling on your phone. Skip the bento and order the izakaya way (small plates) and share at your table.
It is a nice izakaya food place. The staff there are very kind and attentive. We were able to get a table and order easily. Came during happy hour so wasn’t too busy either. The ordering was quite quick as you can order the happy hour dishes through the online menu. The skewers you order through the paper. Once we ordered the food came quickly. The skewers were pretty tasty. I liked the chicken skewers and the sausage skewer. We also tried the carbonara udon, and it was nice. The curry fries though, it was really tasty. Almost taste like a poutine. Overall a lot of yummy stuff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori, Wagyu \u0026 Pork Blended Sausage Skewer, Mentaiko Carbonara
Overall it was good, with good service, although some items took longer to be served. I was disappointed that they did not have everything on the menu. Even the items they list on the wall were not available, and I was told they were only decoration.
Izakaya Ginji is a true gem, cozy and inviting just like the small spots in Tokyo. We immediately noticed the care in each dish: the layers of flavor, the thoughtful presentation, and those subtle, distinct tastes you don’t find at most Japanese restaurants in the valley. The miso pork is insanely good, the daikon salad is fresh and crisp, the wagyu beef skewers melt in your mouth, the fried chicken perfectly crispy and seasoned, and we even tried the spider roll, which was surprising for an izakaya but they knocked it out of the park. Everything far exceeded what we expected from the photos and reviews.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A small cute joint for Izakaya. We enjoyed almost every single dish that we’ve tried from two visits: tapas, salad, skewers are all highly recommended!
The skewers are particularly flavorful given the special wood coal they use.
They may seem a little short staffed on the service side so it takes a little patience, but not severe enough to impact the overall experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Went out with some coworkers while visiting the area and was blown away with the food. We wended up ordering a lot of dishes which all had their own amazing flavors. My favorite was the Ebbi Chile, but the chicken karaage was a close second. Very cheap beer plus mouth watering food made for a very memorable outing. Friendly staff as well! Thanks y'all!
Skewers were juicy, well seasoned and overall yummy. The beef finger and lamb were my favorites.
We ordered a lot of the tapa plates and enjoyed most of them, the pork cheeks were very crispy and reminiscent of chicharrones, the karaage chicken comes in very large chunks, and the eggplant(miso nasu dengaku) was nice and saucy.
I enjoy pork belly but the buta bara miso glaze was okay. I wish it was more tender.
The ika maruyaki or grilled squid is a go to for me, as well as the ankimo. The fried hotate or scallops were nice and crispy with yummy slightly chewy scallops inside.
The chuhais were fruity and very easy to drink.
The Corn Butter and Tosaka Roll were both good. Not a fan of the Age Mochi Oroshi
Very mid restaurant. Overpriced skewers, not that good. Meat didn't taste fresh.
Staff is friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
I always have a great time when I dine at Ginji. The food and service is always on point. I will definitely be back.
We go at least once a month. Always great flavors and friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ginji Salad, Seaweed Salad, Tempura, Yakitori
The quality of the cuisine and the attentiveness of the service staff are both exceptional. I highly recommend the gyudon, as the combination of rice and beef is a harmonious blend of flavors. Additionally, the beef skewer is a delectable option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've been coming here for 2 decades. Lovely family owned business. Delicious authentic izakaya food, excellent service, fun area
Ginji has remained one of our favorite izakayas in the Bay Area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Yakitori, Wagyu & Pork Blended Sausage Skewer, Chicken Wings, Grilled Hamachi Collar Dine in: Yes Outdoor seating: Yes Takeout: Yes Delivery: Yes
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