SIP ON THIS. Ninja Japanese & Chinese Restaurant is celebrating a grand reopening after renovations and its bar is open for service again for the first time in roughly two years, bringing with it numerous additions and specials.

Nestled into its location on Barstow Street since 2015, Ninja Japanese & Chinese Restaurant has spent more than a decade serving the Chippewa Valley between its former location at the Eastridge Center and other eatery endeavors. For roughly two years, however, Ninja’s upscale bar has been closed. That’s about to change.

Though Ninja reopened for dine-in after the height of the pandemic, some things never fully bounced back. Much has changed over the past few years in the local food scene, and Ninja co-owner Binh Lu said Ninja’s clientele has changed too.

At one point, Binh was serving six days a week on top of managing Ninja, and since opening Madden Ramen down the street at 10 S. Barstow St., folks often see her whizzing past on her scooter as she goes back and forth between the two restaurants. Now, with both eateries finding a steady groove, Binh and her husband, Andy, knew it was time to put their efforts into revamping Ninja.

Renovated booth seating features a "ceiling" of flowers.

“Andy has been pushing for almost six months to get (Ninja’s reopening) together,” Binh said. With the addition of bar manager Krystal Williams to the team – who is no stranger to the area, working at joints like Heartbreakers, Slim’s Tavern, and Reboot Social over the last decade-plus – Ninja’s bar is officially back open, accompanying recent renovations also made to the restaurant (such as upgraded booth seating).

“We’re super excited to have Eau Claire in our seats again. With an upscale bar where the drinks are as great as the food, there’s so much potential to add more options as people continue to sit in these barstools again.”

KRYSTAL WILLIAMS

ninja japanese & Chinese restaurant bar manager

Patrons can expect more specials and deals, an upcoming rewards program for returning customers, new food menu items, and more alongside the plethora of updates made to its bar – including some exclusive offerings.

“We’re super excited to have Eau Claire in our seats again,” Krystal said. “With an upscale bar where the drinks are as great as the food, there’s so much potential to add more options as people continue to sit in these barstools again.”

Ninja's bar.

Reopen for the first time in a few years, Ninja’s bar features eight taps that are expected to rotate monthly – area favorites like Spotted Cow and Coors Light available alongside Alaskan Amber, Hazy Little Thing, Bent Paddle Cold Pressed Coffee (Black Lager), and more – as well as seltzer and hard lemonade options, stock to create just about any mixed cocktail, and some exclusive drinks such as the new Ninja Old Fashioned made with Tokyo whiskey.

Ninja’s bar is the only spot in Eau Claire serving Silver Gate wine, Krystal said, and will be offering its special sake (Binh adds a secret ingredient that brings a unique flair to it).

A lineup of events from April 18-19 will mark Ninja’s Grand Reopening event on Saturday, April 20. On April 18, Ninja will offer specialty drinks and a special on the Foxy Lady Roll in celebration of The Pablo Center’s show, Girls Night: The Musical. On April 19, Ninja will be host to musician Steven John Rindt from 6-9pm as part of downtown Eau Claire’s Jazz Crawl, and on April 20, the reopening event will offer many of its specials, all day long. 

Ninja is open now for lunch and dinner, six days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11am-3pm for lunch and 4:30-10pm for dinner. On Saturdays, Ninja is open noon-11pm and Sunday from noon-9pm (their “Sunday Funday” special is BOGO sushi, draft beer, wine, and sangria, all day long). The bar will be open the same hours as the restaurant, with happy hour offered noon-2pm and 4:30-6:30pm.

Keep up with Ninja Japanese & Chinese Restaurant (405 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) on Facebook • Check back in with the restaurant for its new website, coming soon