I loved this restaurant once. In fact, my husband and I both did.

After we got married, we all went to eat there. Yep, all the moms and dads and siblings broke bread together with us. It was the first meal we had as a married couple…..

This was almost two years ago, though, and things have changed.

Wild Ginger, located on Edwards Rd. sort of in between Hyde Park and Oakley, expanded. I think they actually doubled their size and added in a couple hibachi grills. I applaud them on the expansion, it still has the same look and feel when you walk in and honestly looks about the same from the outside. They’ve also got a ton more staff as well. I think it makes that little corner look a lot better.

My husband and I have probably eaten there 5 times since January 2009, and each time, we’ve been disappointed.

Here’s what we ordered over the weekend:
1. Hee Ma Roll
2. Sushi Bomb Roll
3. Pad Thai
4. House Salads with Ginger Dressing

These items, according to the servers both recently and 2 years ago, say these are some of the most popular items.

Here’s my personal comparison from the past (pre-expansion) to the present (post-expansion).

Hee Ma Roll {the one in the front}
It still has about the same taste overall, which is good.
Price has gone up a couple bucks to about $13.
I think they’re using pre-packaged tempura. It’s so uniform now and it’s not as light as it used to be.
They don’t include the ends of the shrimp on either side of the roll like they used to.
They cut the pieces thinner so you get more pieces per roll but it’s still the same amount.
It’s very uniform overall. I think what was so great about the Hee Ma Roll before was that each piece had a slightly different amount of spicy mayo, tuna, tempura and roe. I liked that.

Sushi Bomb Roll {the one in the back}
Still has about the same taste, but definitely not as good as before.
Very uniform now. This roll used to be awesome when it was less ‘perfect.’
It’s been served at room temperature the past 2 times we’ve ordered it and it’s def. really great warmer.

House Ginger Salad
Salad is salad.
The ginger dressing is different than before. We both don’t like the new kind. Dancing Wasabi in Mt. Healthy has, by far, the best Ginger Dressing in the city.

Pad Thai
Tastes about the same as before.
A buck or two more expensive than before.
I miss the big pieces of egg that used to be in it. I’ve noticed they’ve been smaller the last three times I’ve ordered it.

Atmosphere:
They play Muzak type stuff; I miss the asian music they used to play.
Beautiful restaurant decor; absolutely lovely and comfortable.

So, I don’t know, there you have it, I guess. Wild Ginger is such a nostalgic-type place for my husband and I, and we are sad that we can really notice a different in many of the dishes than before, in addition to a price hike.

The info:

(513) 533-9500‎
http://www.wildgingercincy.com
3655 Edwards Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45208-1303