Ninja Japanese Steakhouse Express — Restaurant in Lincoln

I'm writing a new review instead of editing my original because it would just get lost and I feel the first review was accurate for my original experiencd

I was last here in April 2025, the last time we were in town. I gave a glowing review because it was a mind-blowing breath of fresh air for the area that had nothing but Chinese food that would be a travesty in other parts of the country.

We went in again on Tuesday July 15 and I was disappointed with my meal as were my wife and daughter. The protein was good but the portions definitely got way smaller. For instance I had the salmon and scallops hibachi and I got a tiny strip of salmon and a few scallops with a mountain of fried rice.

Let me continue on the fried rice. It was one of the things I noticed most last visit. I haven't had legit fried rice in all my visits to Maine, through most of the state until this place, last visit. This visit was not it. I'm Asian and make great fried rice on my own, so I know what's wrong. This visit it was sticky and clumped together, meaning it was made with fresh out of the pot rice, rather than dry, refrigerated, or less than new rice. The seasoning was off/lacking, there were no eggs. Fried rice is how I judge an Asian place. Kinda like I'll judge an American diner on their meatloaf, a banh mi place on their bread, a burger place on their burger. Rice is the foundation of any Asian place. It is not a side addition, it is a serious piece of the whole puzzle.

Maybe I got spoiled because the owner made our meal himself last time. But really that quality should be upheld throughout whoever is cooking.

I'll give this place one more try before finalizing my decision of whether or not to come here again (and it's not cheap so I'm not going to keep supporting a place if the quality is not the same), when we come back in October.

But rather than constantly being on social media and doing publicity gigs and trying to expand, I think first, the owner should make sure the quality of every dish and every aspect of the food is staying true to what it should be. So that the quality doesn't decline, because it'd be a shame if this business goes downhill. I'm rooting for them to succeed because Lincoln needs a...

Wow, I've been waiting for this place for some time. Let me first say that I was raised in LA, have been to NYC and San Francisco. And Toronto many many times, so I know great Asian food.

Sadly, I've had horrible experiences all throughout Maine (I've been up and down the state) with Asian food and have not had anything Chinese, Japanese, or Thai (Korean food is not even on the list because I have yet to find a Korean restaurant) that I would even qualify as decent. Maine makes a specific fried rice that I have never encountered anywhere else, that is just horrible in comparison to a good fried rice. Lincoln is no exception. Looking at you Wing Wah.

I've given up on any chance of finding good Asian food when I'm visiting Maine. Until now.

I hope Lincoln understands how lucky they are to have a legit good Asian place in town now. When I was last here in October 2024, they weren't there yet, but just today my wife and I saw that they suddenly popped up and they were by chance open even though Google says they were closed today. I think he had deliveries/business and just decided to operate while he was waiting.

I got the Steak and Scallop Hibachi (although he brought out steak and chicken I was so pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted that I didn't even say anything), and my wife got the shrimp Bento. And we shared a Ninja Roll.

The fried rice was the first normal fried rice I've ever had while in Maine. The food was amazing. The homemade YumYum sauce was delicious.

And the man that was there running things and cooking was SO friendly and helpful and hospitable. He kept bringing things out for us to try and talked to us and treated us like family. I felt like I was at a pot luck with my family as he sent us home with so much delicious food, and he even topped off my fried rice for my togo container .

My wife and I will be back every time we are in town, to eat and catch up. I wish these people and this business all the luck in the world. And like I said I hope the people of Lincoln understand how lucky they are and help them become successful.

Thank you for the amazing food and great convo. All...

Was recommended this place by a coworker and they definitely didn’t disappoint!! The host was so friendly and fun, I noticed that when she was cleaning or getting take out orders ready she was quietly singing to herself and honestly I loved her voice! Her singing made things feel more like home. We were welcomed in right off and the atmosphere was great. You don’t get that kind of experience much lately. The dining area was pretty clean! Soooo much cleaner than others. The time it took for us to place our order and get the food was a lot quicker than most fast food places. The food itself was amazing! Once you start eating, you just can’t get enough of it! They have both seafood and non-seafood options. I will definitely be going more often. I can’t wait until summer hits and see...