Ginza is one of the few restaurants in Dhaka that goes to great lengths to ensure that each and every one of their dishes is absolutely delicious; its success led to the development of a second location in Dhanmondi, expanding the array of venues offering delectable fusion cuisine. The menu caters to diverse preferences, featuring everything from tantalizing sushi rolls to savory yakisoba noodles.
Food
For appetizers we had the prawn tempura. It was battered fresh tiger prawns dipped in a light crisp coating to create a magnificent golden hue. Served with spicy mayo and soy sauce, these tempuras are absolutely delicious. The wonderfully golden brown tempuras are the star here since their freshness is so evident in the flavour and aroma. Also, the prawns were cooked to perfection.
The next dish was the spicy crab (Kani roll), which had just the right amount of heat for our taste. Sushi roe, crab sticks, avocado, cucumber, sriracha, and black sesame seeds were all there. It was a perfect combination of the spicy sushi and the somewhat sweet crabmeat.
We continued our meal with their midori fish, a fillet of fish cooked in a green curry with green beans, white fish, coconut oil, and more white fish. The fish was so tender it melted in your mouth, and the green curry marinade was so flavorful it left a tangy aftertaste.
We followed our feast with seafood fried rice and dry beef. The dried beef was perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of fire and flavour in every bite. The seafood fried rice was fresh and had a delectable seafood combination, which satisfied our protein cravings.
The sautéed vegetables were next; they were perfectly balanced in flavour and remained so right up until the very end. Joined by broccoli, red bell pepper, and yellow squash. Despite your aversion to veggies, you could find yourself rethinking your stance after tasting this dish. It was simple, yet exquisitely toothsome.
Then we tried their chicken yakisoba, which is a dish with yakisoba noodles, boneless chicken, broccoli, sesame oil, cabbage, and soy sauce. The delicate, original flavour of the noodles, along with the ebb and flow of sweet and salty aromas, made us relish every bite of this classic Japanese noodle dish—so slippery, yet delicious nonetheless.
For our final course, we delved into the chicken nanban. The impeccable blend of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar contributed to its delightful flavor, but we wished for a crisper texture in the chicken. Despite its intended sweetness, the chicken leaned slightly towards being overly sweet.
Ginza offers a range of meals, with prices spanning from Tk250 to Tk700.
Ambience
Ginza in Dhanmondi strikes a balance between sophistication and vibrancy, showcasing marbled ceilings, hardwood floors, and a striking orange counter. The lighting, designed to accentuate the warmth of orange and wood, complements the chic ambiance.
The expansive windows flood the space with natural light, further elevating the overall atmosphere. There's a distinct appeal for the younger crowd, and it's not hard to see why – the ambiance here is just right.
Challenges
After establishing a presence in Banani in 2017, Ginza expanded to Dhanmoni a little over five months ago in June 2023, and their cuisine has been generating excitement ever since.
Part owner Md Abu Sayem Shahin explained: "After having seen the customer response for 7 years in Banani, I thought it was wise for us to open another branch in Dhanmondi for the people to enjoy our food."
Shahid explained that they opted for Japanese fusion cuisine since they knew they would need to make some minor adjustments to the flavours so that they would appeal to the majority of Bangladeshis.
They were forced to raise prices by as much as 15% as a result of inflation and the present economic situation.
"We had to raise our prices slightly to offset the rise in ingredient costs," he continued.
Instead of charging for services, they pay their employees a share of the profit each month.
He mentioned that instead of including a service charge, they get 2% of their earnings, which is determined by the amount of profit they made that month.
Verdict
We savored the deliciousness of their crab (kani) roll, seafood fried rice, dry beef, and yakisoba noodles, finding little to criticize about the entire meal. It was a thoroughly satisfying experience.
What pleasantly surprised us the most were the affordable prices, considering the exceptional quality of the food. The generous portions only added to the sense that you truly get your money's worth. If you happen to live in or around Dhanmondi or find yourself nearby, a visit to Ginza is highly recommended if you haven't already indulged in their offerings.
