NCL Star -- "Ginza"

[ajtraveler66]

Don't miss this wonderful complimentary Chinese/Asian restaurant.  We were on "The Star" back in April and dined there four times on our 15-day Mediterranan cruise.  Sadly, it's only on "The Star".  I can't understand why "Ginza" is not offered on other ships.  It's a small restauarant, but it's definitely worth a wait if you cannot get right in right away.

 

We're going to be on "The Bliss" later this month.  And if "Ginza" were on 'The Bliss', I can assure you that we'd definitely be going several times.

[Asawi]

If for nothing else, go there for dessert! Those chestnut and red bean triangles... YUMMY! 
I thought most ships have somethinh similar to Ginza nut under different names, but I can't find anything on Bliss.

[crazycatlady82]

Yes, we really enjoyed that restaurant on the Star! There is something similar (same menu but might be different name) on the Epic. 

[Tak8]

Was Ginza open for lunch and dinner?

[mking8288]

We haven't been on the Star since 2008, but on similar ship class including the Jewel, Gem and our all time favorite,the Dawn ... they all have that Asian themed restaurant with a sushi bar and small Teppanyaki connected. In the old days, just named different - look up the ship's deck plan, it's nearly always on Deck 7 Mid, below is usually LeBistro, bar & lounge, and the casino nearby.  The menu used to be much better with broader selections, including a few with a nominal upcharge - those are gone.  I can't recall any of them being open for lunch, even on those long sea days (maybe, if the ship is sold out and near lifeboat capacity ... check the Dailies and/or ask) 

 

The bigger *away/+ class ships do not have them - there is a Shanghai Noodles Bar with smaller seating capacity, 1/3 to 1/2 of the seating are counter/diner style on high stools, some facing the stainless steel open kitchen ... sit, wait & watch the junior chef prepare your food-to-order.  The newer Bliss & Encore, I believe, do not have them.  

 

The Epic, we're on her TA last April, has a Shanghai Noodles & Restaurants, that's quite spacious with additional seating inside - like the other "Noodles" bar, next to and near the ship's casino - again, open for dinner only and they do NOT accept or take reservations.  Epic's restaurant's dining menu is similar to the other, older, Asian restaurant by different names - used pretty much fleetwide.  

 

Portions are small and petite, the spring rolls are good, pan fried dumplings (pot stickers) are better than the boiled ones (it's the same) and the best part ... dessert options. Noodles soup too, are good, especially on a chilly evening.   We consider them to be reasonably good comfort food, something we can find in most local Asian/Chinese takeout/eat-in casual restaurants.  Happy meals ! 

 

 

[dexddd]

Right on.  We've enjoyed them on Star, Dawn, and Gem.  Miss it on other ships and lines.

 

One thing I don't like and never seen is corn in the egg drop soup.  Of all things consistent across the fleet, corn in the soup is one.

[mking8288]

@dexddd Haha, do you remember the lobster and steamed (??) fish option in those days, with a nominal upcharge and no 15% or 20% add-on.  I found this & scanned it - from Bamboo (2008-2009, maybe a bit earlier ... could've been 2005)  what varieties we had then - 

 

 

Old days ... 😁

 

That so-called chicken egg drop soup with corn is just poorly done & taste waterly ... all they need is a thicker soup stock, generous use of corn starch or alike.  The master chef should spend a day learning how to in a regular Asian kitchen gallery (some of them that once worked at one of the large land-based hotel should've learned & trained)   Whatever ... I'm not a good food critic, LOL. 

 

 

[dexddd]

I don't recall that menu and we were sailing at the time.  Quite extensive.  I don't have any pics from then but also not the curator of The Smithsonian East.

 

I do recall when Specialties were like $10 cover, half for kids, never busy.  'To Stimulate Your Palate' apparently has been replaced with 'To Fleece Your Wallet'.

[bluesea777]

On 1/10/2024 at 8:54 AM, ajtraveler66 said:

Don't miss this wonderful complimentary Chinese/Asian restaurant.  We were on "The Star" back in April and dined there four times on our 15-day Mediterranan cruise.  Sadly, it's only on "The Star".  I can't understand why "Ginza" is not offered on other ships.  It's a small restauarant, but it's definitely worth a wait if you cannot get right in right away.

 

We're going to be on "The Bliss" later this month.  And if "Ginza" were on 'The Bliss', I can assure you that we'd definitely be going several times.

 

The Asian restaurants are on some of the NCL ships, but not all:

• Spirit - Silk
• Dawn - Bamboo
• Star - Ginza
• Jewel - Chin Chin
• Jade - Jasmine Garden
• Pearl - Lotus Garden
• Gem - Orchid Garden
• Epic - Shanghai's
• Pride of America - East Meets West

 

[TrumpyNor]

We have always enjoyed the Asian complimentary restaurants on NCL ships - BUT unfortunately the menu they offer now is much smaller than it used to be just a few years ago....

[detroitlions]

18 minutes ago, bluesea777 said:

 

The Asian restaurants are on some of the NCL ships, but not all:

• Spirit - Silk
• Dawn - Bamboo
• Star - Ginza
• Jewel - Chin Chin
• Jade - Jasmine Garden
• Pearl - Lotus Garden
• Gem - Orchid Garden
• Epic - Shanghai's
• Pride of America - East Meets West

 

We loved the one on the Dawn and Star. Even though the spirit class is my least favorite ships. The Getaway has a great noodle bar with similar options

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, bluesea777 said:

 

The Asian restaurants are on some of the NCL ships, but not all:

• Spirit - Silk
• Dawn - Bamboo
• Star - Ginza
• Jewel - Chin Chin
• Jade - Jasmine Garden
• Pearl - Lotus Garden
• Gem - Orchid Garden
• Epic - Shanghai's
• Pride of America - East Meets West

 

Breakaway and Getaway have Shanghai also

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, TrumpyNor said:

We have always enjoyed the Asian complimentary restaurants on NCL ships - BUT unfortunately the menu they offer now is much smaller than it used to be just a few years ago....

A few years meaning 15 or so years

[bluesea777]

21 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Breakaway and Getaway have Shanghai also

 

Yes, but they are Noodles bar, not Asian restaurant.

 

The Epic's Shanghai is both the Asian restaurant and noodles bar.

 

[TrumpyNor]

29 minutes ago, zqvol said:

A few years meaning 15 or so years

According to photos I have of us enjoying the food at the Asian restaurants on board both the Spirit and the Jade in 2017 and 2018, it was more choices offered on the menu at that time than it is now. 

 

[v3cruiser]

The Asian complimentary restaurants have never disappointed for sure! Love the green tea ice cream. The Ginza on the star and Chin Chin on Jewel were excellent with the same menu items. Noodles on Getaway was also good and has a different menu.