Ginza Fish House

Here's a place that's had any amount of discussion, but not its own thread on this board. Saturday night around 8:00, after first checking out Oysy and deciding we didn't need a 30-minute wait for the sake of style, we made what turned out to be an excellent choice to walk around the block to Ginza Fish in the Tokyo Hotel.

First, I'd like to put an end to a bit of common wisdom about Ginza that seems to keep coming up in various posts -- i.e., the notion that Ginza is "dingy" or low-rent. Though small (I prefer "cozy"), not cutting edge in design, no techno beats or LED waterfalls behind the bar ... Ginza was one of the cleanest, friendliest, cheeriest places I have ever dined. Nothing sketchy about Ginza whatsoever.

So, Mrs. JiLS and I proceeded to vastly over-order. We started with a California roll, Mrs. JiLS's choice, and it was a fine example of the type. I'm not a fan of rolls in general, and the California roll doesn't ring my bell, but I could admire the care and quality of the ingredients in this offering.

We then each ordered the $30 chef's special plate. I'm so not a sushi expert, but I know the flavor and texture of good, fresh fish, and that's what we were served. Eight or nine varieties, including eel (my favorite), two varieties of roe, a half dozen different types of raw sushi. We were only able to finish maybe two-thirds of what we were given, and we were forcing it down by that point (because it tasted so good we wanted to make a yeoman's effort. Total cost under $100 (including two large Sapporo's).

Ginza Fish House
19 E. Ohio Street
Chicago
(312) 222-0600

I spent a couple years in Japan in an earlier life and will add that for me this is without question the most authentic Japanese sushi experience in the city. It does seem a little run down, but not in a bad way. It has more of a the slightly worn feel of the local sushi-ya that dot the areas around suburban Tokyo train stations. Places that have been around for forty or fifty years and keep on attracting locals year after year. When I enter Ginza fish market I feel transported back to Japan.

I was also there once during the Christmas season for lunch at the bar watching a stream of Japanese ex-pats flow through the restaurant presenting gifts to the owner, a testament to the popularity of this locale with Japanese nationals who probably feel like I do when they stop by - like they have stepped back to Japan for a brief moment.

Thanks so much for posting this review! I have walked by Ginza many times and have been both skeptical and curious! After reading your reviews, I am going to give it a try. It is always hard finding tasty, reasonable priced food downtown.

They have a lunch special (around $8-10?) where you pick one item from column A and another from B. If my memory serves me correctly, column A has items like sashimi salad, Japanese fried chicken, gomae, etc. I always order the broiled fish on column B, so I can't remember what other dishes are on there.

This is also the only place I have found so far that offers tarako onigiri (cod roe in a rice ball), which is one of my favourite Japanese "snack".

This thread reminded me that I haven't been there in a while. I might stop by and order carryout tonight!

With the new wave of jalapeno-studded, mayo-mortared, gold-sprinkled sushi available in Chicago, this place remains a steadfast classic, serving it old school. Thanks for creating this thread, JiLS -- it's deserved.

I have on good authority that the legendary RST once lived on the upper floor of the Toyko Hotel.

It's easy to see why people overlook this place. Sushi places are usually associated with squeaky clean minimalist decor, and the exterior of the restaurant doesn't exactly give that vibe.

I've had pretty much everything but the sushi at Ginza since thoughtfully prepared traditional dishes seem like an afterthought at other sushi-centric places. It is certainly not the case here, although the sushi seems to be getting favorable reviews so far.

Behind the sushi counter is 60-70 year old Japanese guy, and I'm sure he can show the sushi "chefs" at that other place around the block a thing or two. This place satisfies the umami craving when Sunshine Cafe is a bit out of the way.

Great broiled fish. And they are among the few spots that still serve natto. Mmm natto.

JeffB wrote:Great broiled fish. And they are among the few spots that still serve natto. Mmm natto.

I second the yakizakana (or grilled fish) rec (can't say the same for the natto). My standby order there was always the grilled mackerel and they never faltered.

The conventional wisdom on Ginza, even among Japanese expats, was always to steer clear of the uneven sushi and stick to the kitchen dishes.

It is a place, though, that transports you to old-school Japan—especially the tatami rooms in the back.

Maybe I've never had good natto. Ginza's was slimy and smelly. Maybe it was spoiled?

I was hoping a thread like this never gets created, for my own selfish reasons

JeffB wrote:Maybe I've never had good natto. Ginza's was slimy and smelly. Maybe it was spoiled?

Had a bowl tonight -- it was slimy but not smelly. The toothsome beans seemed bitter-sweet to me, with hints of chocolate. I found it somewhat tasty on top of other things -- for instance, I dropped some of the beans in my yamakaki, much to the benefit of both.

David Hammond wrote:for instance, I dropped some of the beans in my yamakaki, much to the benefit of both.

I find that eating natto does not really benefit my kaki, but to each his own.

cilantro wrote:

David Hammond wrote:for instance, I dropped some of the beans in my yamakaki, much to the benefit of both.

I find that eating natto does not really benefit my kaki, but to each his own.

I found that the kaki was challenging to eat with chopsticks; adding the beans gave the white goo purchase on my chopsticks. I don't claim that this is orthodox, but I was improvising, and I appreciated the added texture, though both were somewhat glutinous.

David Hammond wrote:

cilantro wrote:

David Hammond wrote:for instance, I dropped some of the beans in my yamakaki, much to the benefit of both.

I find that eating natto does not really benefit my kaki, but to each his own.

I found that the kaki was challenging to eat with chopsticks; adding the beans gave the white goo purchase on my chopsticks. I don't claim that this is orthodox, but I was improvising, and I appreciated the added texture, though both were somewhat glutinous.

I think you are referring to yamakake (mountain potato).... Kaki is oysters (or persimmons).... Never had natto with oysters (or persimmons for that matter)

CrazyC wrote:

David Hammond wrote:

cilantro wrote:

David Hammond wrote:for instance, I dropped some of the beans in my yamakaki, much to the benefit of both.

I find that eating natto does not really benefit my kaki, but to each his own.

I found that the kaki was challenging to eat with chopsticks; adding the beans gave the white goo purchase on my chopsticks. I don't claim that this is orthodox, but I was improvising, and I appreciated the added texture, though both were somewhat glutinous.

I think you are referring to yamakake (mountain potato).... Kaki is oysters (or persimmons).... Never had natto with oysters (or persimmons for that matter)

C, the menu (or rather, my notes from the menu) have the spelling as "yamakaka." This glossary indicates it's "yamakaki," and the accompanying explanation does describe the dish I had last night:

http://sushiref.com/glossary/beans:yamakaki.html

To complicate, I also had the oysters (panko-dusted & deep-fried) which were very good.

I think cilantro was referring to another kaka altogether

JimInLoganSquare wrote:Nothing sketchy about Ginza whatsoever.

Mr. JiLS,

In full agreement, nothing sketchy in the least, in fact cozy, friendly and nicely, in an old school fashion, appointed.

Ginza Restaurant


We sat at the sushi bar and with input from the genial Itamae designed a very nice lunch.



Highlights were yellowtail, chu-toro and cooked scallop.



Squid with shiso leaf is a favorite and Ginza's was particularly good. Uni and ikura were tasty, though the uni just missed the eye rolling creamy essence of the sea which is the stuff of culinary dreams.

Squid w/shiso, tamago, gari (pickled ginger), ikura w/quail egg, uni.


Broiled mackerel, crisp, rich, meaty, looked so delicious we were half way through before I realized I had not snapped a picture. Grilled Yellowtail collar, which I did snap a picture of, seems to only be offered at Japanese run Japanese restaurants, Katsu for example, I liked Ginza's version, but would have preferred crisper skin.

Yellowtail Collar


Ramen staff meal looked so good I almost asked if they had any openings.

Ramen



Enjoyable well priced lunch with quality ingredients, good service and friendly staff. I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Enjoy,
Gary

Ginza Restaurant
19 E. Ohio St.
Chicago, IL
312-222-0600

I needed a quiet lunch. This was like a visit to a spa. I sat at the sushi bar with my book and ordered the combination with chicken teriyaki. This was WONDERFUL.

I received a large cup of green tea that I never saw the bottom of. A bowl of very good miso with a ton of seaweed and tofu and then a huge platter - reminiscent of Renga Tei's combinations. Tempura (A shrimp, a large piece of squash, and some onions), a whole skin on boneless chicken thigh. A very tangy and fresh seafood salad, a piece of steamed tofu, 4 large pieces of pristine sashimi, a large bowl of rice and some sliced radish.

$21 after tip - this is an outstanding deal. I left satisfied, renewed and calm. I'll be back.

I'll second (eighth?) the positive reviews of Ginza. It does look a lot like the little Tokyo sushi joints I've seen on TV, and the staff is very friendly (the traditional "arigato!" choruses you hear whenever anyone leaves crack me up ) and attentive.

I've been mostly lucky with the sushi - we ordered the $35 sashimi plate, and loved every piece of it. We asked for uni...the waitress returned to apologize profusely because they had run out, and recommended the monkfish liver instead. I'm now a huge fan of monkfish liver, and plan on asking about it every time I go there. In the past, the uni at Ginza has been some of the best, and some of the worst, I've had. Mostly best though.

I kinda like that their menu is simple...all the sashimi & nigiri greatest hits are present, and there's no need to wade through 40 variations of "Ultra Super Late-Summer Millipede Tempura Maki", each with complicated descriptions, to find what I like. Here I'm fairly confident I can't go wrong with any of the 10 or so rolls on offer, and know I'll be able to taste the ingredients.

I haven't tried any of the cooked dishes, but after reading some of your reviews, I can't wait to give some of them a try!

A should-be GNR, for sure. Next time.

When my office moved to the River North area, this place became a regular in the rotation. It always felt like I was entering into a secret little world when I walk through the curtains. They have great lunch specials. So much so, that I have yet to actually eat any sushi there after the numerous times I've eaten there! The curry rice, ramen, and broiled mackerel are my usual go-to dishes.

I agree this should be on the next GNR. This is one of the more authentic Japanese restaurant in the city. It is also the only place where I can get the grilled yellowtail collard. Their combination platter comes with a lot of food for the money. The only downside to this place is trying to find parking.

I have been going to Ginza for over 10 years now. And I love it! I used to go for the lunch specials which has gone up $1-$2 in the last 10 years! This is the only place in downtown where you can get tonkotsu ramen. And I think the only place in Chicago you can get my favorite tarako onigiri! Hmmmm....

Adding some pics from a while back... Why? Cause I can!

Tonkotsu Ramen


Sushi


Grilled Saba

Agree with all the praise. How cool is it that Ginza (and the Tokyo Hotel) are even there at this point. It's hard by pizzaria uno and a bunch of tourist hotels. It's a slice of urbanity that barely exists in Chicago and Manhattan these days. Anyone evr see the great documentary about the diminutive half of the Vaudeville act starring an extremely tall guy and a very short one (High and Low or some such). He was living in the Tokyo with a bunch of other characters. Also, I believe the immortal RST recounted living there.

One correction, though. Yellowtail collar is more widely available than the poster above says. Definitely a good option at Katsu and Matsuya. I wouldn't be surprised if it's also at Sunshine, Tampopo, Cocoro or others.

I don't know if collar is the same as jaw, but you can get it at Kuni's in Evanston as well.

leek wrote:I don't know if collar is the same as jaw, but you can get it at Kuni's in Evanston as well.

I've seen it translated as "neck" in quite a few places I've been to as well.

First-time poster, long-time lurker.

I've probably been to Ginza half a dozen times--and it made a not-too-big-on-seafood guy into a believer (or at least, the nigiri did). The foreigner factor is also off the charts--my party is always the only non-Japanese crew in the place. Prices are reasonable, it's not too pretentious, and if you like stepping out of River North and into a different world...no better place.

They have a nice tonkatsu with this really pungent sauce--I think it's actually just horseradish, not wasabi, but still potent.

While I am a total noob, I do think Ginza has GNR potential--food isn't always perfect, but good enough. Combine that with the above-mentioned gift-giving and clientèle/staff interactions, and it really does fit the 'neighborhood' aspect of the award.

I went to Ginza last night for the first time and right away knew it was my type of japanese restaurant. I want the authentic quality basics not the mayo, tempura, cilantro, wasabi foam, godzilla roll served flaming in a bowl while club music plays in the background and Ginza delivers from this standpoint.
It is a very good value for the quality of fish and the chef is talented with his cut skills but my standard for nigiri is Katsu and this is not in the same league. Maybe it's unfair for me to make this comparison because you pay double at Katsu. The fish is fresh but the melt in your mouth flavors and texture were not there. The highlight was the Toro and I also enjoyed the Uni and Saba but was disappointed with the White Tuna and Aji Mackeral.
To be fair I think Ginza offers a lot more quality and authentic dishes than just nigiri which I did not try and for those items this might be the place to go; but for just straight forward nigiri I think i'd rather go to Katsu once per month for the same price as Ginza twice per month. Again, good value and i'll be back but I just really wish I could find something with the quality of Katsu but without the price.

forzagto wrote:I wish I could find something with the quality of Katsu but without the price.

I feel the same way about Bentley's.

At the end of a day spent listening to a coworker rave about my nemesis Sushi X, I sat at the sushi bar at Ginza and enjoyed a good (but not earth shattering) meal.

First of all, the serenity of this place (especially in light of where it's located) is a huge attraction and gets tons of points just for that.

I started with a nice bowl of oshinko and then ordered a sushi and sashimi platter. For $38 I received a pretty nice selection of fish and roe, along with a tuna/scallion roll. All of the sushi tasted fresh. Not the best quality I've ever had, but certainly better than most places here. I finished off with my usual dessert of a salmon skin handroll. The handroll was a little disappointing as the salmon skin used was not freshly grilled/toasted (it was taken from a bowl that had been sitting out for who knows how long).

In a better sushi town, I think Ginza would be fairly unremarkable (if not for the extremely warm and friendly atmosphere/service). But, in a town filled with mayo and fashion maki, Ginza is a real gem.