Ninigi

For those in the Culver City area of Los Angeles always on the lookout for authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine, names of great local spots often circulate through word-of-mouth. One such name that previously garnered attention for its offerings was Ninigi, a Japanese restaurant operating out of a ghost kitchen in Culver City, California. While Ninigi was known for its flavorful katsu don and tonkatsu, it's crucial for locals to be aware of a significant update regarding its operations.

As of June 26th, Ninigi is unfortunately CLOSED and is no longer serving food at its previous ghost kitchen location. This is a critical piece of information for anyone in California looking to try their dishes or place an order. While past reviews praised their food, the operational status has changed, and online ordering systems may still be active, leading to potential issues for unsuspecting customers.

This article aims to provide a factual overview of what Ninigi was known for, based on past customer experiences, while emphasizing its current closed status to prevent any inconvenience for local users in California.

Ninigi was located at 5660 Selmaraine Dr k10, Culver City, CA 90230, USA. This address corresponds to a ghost kitchen facility, which is a commercial kitchen space optimized for food delivery and takeout services, rather than a traditional dine-in restaurant with a storefront.

For customers in Culver City and surrounding areas of Los Angeles, the appeal of a ghost kitchen is typically its convenience for ordering food through delivery apps. While there was no physical dine-in option, the location was accessible for quick pickups. However, with its current closed status, this location no longer serves Ninigi's offerings. It's important for users to understand that attempting to order from this address for Ninigi will not result in food being prepared or available for pickup.

When Ninigi was operational, its menu focused on popular Japanese comfort food, particularly excelling in fried cutlets and bowls. Based on past customer reviews, here were some of the key services and dishes offered:

• Katsu Don: This savory dish, consisting of a deep-fried breaded pork or chicken cutlet (tonkatsu) simmered with egg and onions over a bed of rice, was a highlight. Customers praised it for being "delicious" and having a "tasty, juicy chicken cutlet that isn’t overcooked."

• Tonkatsu: The standalone fried cutlets, both chicken and possibly pork, were noted for being "crispy but not over-breaded," a sign of well-prepared katsu.

• Asian Food Offerings: Reviews indicated a general appreciation for the "good Asian food" available from this establishment, suggesting a broader appeal beyond just katsu dishes.

• Takeout/Delivery Only: As a ghost kitchen, Ninigi operated solely on a takeout and delivery model. This meant customers placed orders online through various delivery apps and either picked up their food or had it delivered.

• Fresh and Tasty Food (Historically): Many early reviews highlighted the food as "very fresh and tasty," leading to high recommendations from customers.

It is crucial to reiterate that these services are no longer available from Ninigi.

In its operational period, Ninigi had several features that made it a notable option for Japanese food in Culver City:

• High-Quality Katsu: The "delicious katsu don and tonkatsu" were significant highlights, praised for their perfect crispiness, lack of over-breading, and juicy, well-cooked chicken cutlets. This indicated a strong mastery of these specific dishes.

• Focus on Flavor: Despite being a ghost kitchen, the emphasis on "tasty" and "flavorful" food resonated with customers seeking authentic taste profiles.

• Convenience for Delivery: As part of a ghost kitchen, Ninigi was ideally set up for modern delivery services, catering to the growing demand for convenient, at-home dining, especially during periods when dine-in options were limited.

• Early Positive Reception: Initial reviews were very strong, indicating a promising start and a product that initially met customer expectations for quality and taste.

However, it's important to acknowledge that more recent customer experiences, prior to closure, indicated challenges with "declining food quality," "extended wait times," and issues with order management, which ultimately led to customer "disappointment."

Since Ninigi operated primarily through online delivery apps, any promotions or special offers would have been managed directly through those platforms. These typically include:

• App-Specific Discounts: Delivery apps often feature discounts for first-time users or specific promotions (e.g., "$5 off your next order," "free delivery") that could apply to orders from restaurants like Ninigi.

• Bundle Deals: Sometimes, ghost kitchens offer meal bundles or combo deals to encourage larger orders.

Given that Ninigi is now closed, any such promotions are no longer valid, and users should be cautious of any active listings on delivery apps that might still attempt to process orders.

While Ninigi is no longer operational, for the purpose of providing historical contact information and for those who may need to follow up on past orders (though communication with the delivery app provider is recommended), here are the details:

Former Address: 5660 Selmaraine Dr k10, Culver City, CA 90230, USA

Former Phone: (310) 400-0676

Former Mobile Phone: +1 310-400-0676

It is critical to note that these contact numbers may no longer be actively monitored for Ninigi operations, given its closure. If you encounter issues with past orders, directly contacting the delivery app through which you placed the order is the correct course of action for refunds.

Historically, when Ninigi was fully operational and performing well, it was indeed suitable for locals in Culver City due to its focus on delivering delicious katsu don and tonkatsu directly to their homes. The convenience of being a ghost kitchen meant it catered perfectly to the modern demand for quick, easy, and high-quality Japanese takeout. For residents craving a satisfying fried cutlet without the need for a dine-in experience, Ninigi offered a compelling solution, initially praised for its "very fresh and tasty" food.

However, and this is a critical update for all California locals, Ninigi is now definitively closed as of June 26th. The most recent customer review explicitly warns that "Ninigi is no longer serving at this ghost kitchen. Their system is somehow still taking orders and payments online via delivery apps so beware. If you order, no food will be awaiting you and you’ll have to email your delivery app provider to refund." This means that while its past offerings were appealing, attempting to order from Ninigi now will unfortunately lead to frustration and the need for a refund process.

Therefore, while the concept of a dedicated katsu ghost kitchen was appealing, and early experiences were positive, current information indicates that Ninigi is no longer a viable option for locals seeking Japanese food. Residents should be vigilant and confirm the operational status of any establishment, especially those operating out of ghost kitchens, before placing online orders to avoid inconvenience.

Ninigi

5660 Selmaraine Dr k10, Culver City, CA 90230, USA