Walpole's Ginjo Restaurant has Made Most Out of Bad Situation

Ginjo in Walpole started off small, but manager Eddie Wong said a car accident gave them an opportunity to expand the hibachi lounge, sushi bar and restaurant.

“We used to be the Blue Orchid before the car accident,” he said. “This car just came through the building.”

Wong said at the time, the crash occurred where a UPS store was. He said sushi chef Paul Ni was the only one in the restaurant when it happened.

“It was lucky it was early in the morning,” Wong said. “It was an elderly lady, and apparently she thought she was pressing the brake when she was pressing on the gas.”

Wong said David Ng, who owns two other restaurants in the area, owns the restaurant.  Wong said after the accident, Ng was able to expand.

“We took over the UPS store,” he said. “We expanded and were able to bring in Hibachi and expanded the sushi bar.”

Wong said he started working in restaurants with his father when he was 15 at the Ginger Tree in Brookline.

“Everybody in the family worked there,” he said. “We worked well together and everybody was very happy.”

Wong said the sushi is the most unique part of the restaurant and his personal favorite.

“Our sushi is very special,” he said. “Paul makes a lot specials for customers, and because of that we have a lot of regulars. The food keeps people coming back.”

He added his favorite sushi cut is the Mimi Nori, which is tuna, salmon, avocado and mango in a soy bean wrap.

“[Paul] mixes his own sauce and everything,” he said. “It’s pretty refreshing, people come here from all over for it.”

Wong said one of the most interesting thinns about the restaurant is the Hibachi, which is a kind of performance cooking.

“It’s for family entertainment,” he said. “The chef comes out and cooks in front of you. It’s really great for parties.”

Ginjo is located on 889 Main St. and is open Mon - Thu, 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat, 11am - 11pm; Sun, noon - 10pm