Ginza Sushi — Restaurant in San Jose

​Around the Camden and Cambrian area, where I live, there are not many great sushi places, in my opinion. This place recently opened up and we thought we'd give it a try - in hopes of finding a gem.

-Upon arrival, there are plenty of parking spaces as it is in a nice big plaza. Lots of parking is always a good thing! -Entering the place, I notice the place is big, roomy, and looked clean. It is always a positive when it's roomy and clean. -Service was very quick and helpful when we needed anything. -We ordered a bunch of rolls. The food took longer than usual to come out, but being a new place, we understood they may have some kinks to iron out. -Food looked delicious and also tasted delicious. My family members mentioned how they really enjoyed the rolls and mussels. My brother mentioned how Lion King roll and mussels had the perfect amount of sauce - compared to other places from the peninsula down. -The bill was reasonably priced.

We all enjoyed it and will definitely come back. As a matter of fact, I came back with a friend a few days later for some dinner. Service we quick and food came out fast this time. The food quality continued to be constant like the last visit.

Here is what got me to really respect the place. I left the place and had forgotten my credit card. I came back and they could not find it. After a lot of thought, I was very certain I left it here. After expressing a lot of concerns of having to spend a lot of time changing all my credit card information online, Ming, the owner, took time to get the problem fix for me right away. He didn't have too, but he did it and was working on getting video from the camera for me. Then a server found the card in her black work pouch and all is well. I really respect Ming for lending a helping hand during busy hours. I feel like some places probably wouldn't have gone to the cameras right away for me.

Super happy there is a quality sushi restaurant near me now with great service. Hopefully it continues to be like this for many...

If you're in search of your next hot sushi spot, look no further than Ginza Sushi, on Meridian & Hillsdale in San Jose. It is a chain restaurant, but you wouldn't know that from the service or the food. This restaurant features great customer service, excellent sushi, and an over all good atmosphere. Although I've been here many times, this particular trip was just the wife and I, so that I could build a review for just two people. Depending on how into Sushi you are, I highly recommend starting with the salmon skin hand rolls. They are honestly the best I've ever had. The salmon skin is crunchy and what I like about theirs, is that they leave a little bit of salmon meat attached to it to make for a heartier roll. Second on the menu, was the hamchi kama, it's the meaty jaw bone of a yellowfin tuna, grilled. It's served with a sweet & sour, lime ponzu sauce that is to die for! If you're not familiar with how to eat it, feel free to ask! as there is lots of hidden tuna steak in the bone structure, but when dipped in the lime ponzu, it will make you do a dance. Baked mussels were next served over rice, nice and hot, with a Sriracha mayo that is to die for. If you take someone that doesn't like raw fish, this is a perfect dish for them. Lastly, we had the Blanca roll. We Like our Sushi spicy, and this one didn't disappoint. I won't go over the ingredients as you can see them on their menu. Overall it was a great dining; great sushi, in a decently decorated space, watching the NBA playoffs. Price wise, for these 4 items plus two large Hot Saki's and two large cold beers, it will run you about 60 bucks plus tip. And yes, we took a little home, lots of food! Parking is hit-or-miss as there are a lot of restaurants and businesses in this strip mall, but I've never had to park far. They offer indoor / outdoor seating oh, and don't require a reservation. Try them out! I don't think you'll be...

We placed an online order and arrive at the time it is supposed to be ready. The order isn't and we are told it would be another 5 minutes. Ten minutes passes, still nothing. It is a slow night with only two tables occupied. No one else coming in to pick up. The restaurant appears well staffed with 3 employees at the host/cashier area (hanging around with zero urgency or purpose) and 3 people making sushi.

We ask again and are told another 5 minutes, however the employee doesn't confirm with anyone actually preparing the food. My husband gets frustrated and goes out to the car. I wait, then ask again. The employee says the order is ready and hands me someone else's dinner.

Now I am frustrated and I tell the guy this is why we rarely come here. Terrible service, I say. No apology, no eye contact, he mumbles, and turns his back to me. The manager comes to the front for a different matter and I tell her the same thing. She apologizes, looks baffled, but doesn't ask why the food is taking so long or what can we do to make this right. Just returns to helping a server take off an item from someone else's bill because of a problem.

I accept it could have been an off night, but I didn't feel any of the employees at the front or the manager cared. It would've been so easy to fix what went wrong: act like you value my business.

After all that, the sushi wasn't that great. Sloppy, mushy, and chewy.

I had prepaid and tipped 20% because I understand the service business isn't easy, but this is one time I regretted tipping. I live a few minutes from this restaurant and will happily drive further the next time I want sushi. I will never go back to...