We don’t think we’ll ever really know. But in Tribeca, New York, the doors to the secretive and enigmatic martial arts Ninja rituals are open slightly in the amazing space that is Ninja NY.

It is an enclave rich with the flavors of Japan-including a most unique space and delightful surprises that await you from the minute you enter.

The interior recreates a scene from an 18th century Japanese village tucked into the mountains of Iga-Koga, the birthplace of Ninja arts.

Once you enter, you’ll never realize you’re still in Manhattan as your Ninja guide escorts you along the secret passageway to your private dining room in the village ‘stronghold.’

Your enchanting private dining room within the Ninja village offers a menu full of modern and traditional Japanese dishes painstakingly prepared with the freshest local ingredients and the best imported Japanese ingredients. Each dish features innovative twists on traditional Japanese recipes and flavors created by a kitchen experienced in French, Japanese and Italian cuisine.

Executive Chef Michinobu Okamoto hails from a French cuisine background, learning the basics at Au Cochon Rose in Shibuya before landing a position creating French-based fusion dishes at Kihachi Restaurant in Tokyo. Head Chef Yuji Yasue began his career preparing sushi and Japanese haute cuisine at Tagoto Sohmian in Gifu and later Misobe Torii in Fukuoka. At Poisson Rokusaburo in Tokyo, Chef Yasue honed his skills under Iron Chef Rokusaburo Michiba.

Okamoto and Yasue teamed up at Ninja Akasaka to create a menu of radically new and delicious fusion dishes with Japanese and French haute cuisine as a centerpiece. The foie gras sushi is truly a masterpiece. Now these two talented chefs lead a kitchen team whose dedication to entertaining, delighting and satisfying customers is apparent in each and every dish.