Ichiban

We forgot how much we loved the charm, food, authenticity, and class of this iconic Austin restaurant. We sat at the sushi bar and had the sushi chef pick a shashimi tray and roll to present us with. We loved what he surprised us with. Our server David was top notch too! We went during happy hour just after 4 and it was a quaint afternoon date. The koi fish pond was swooning with fish and a lovely addition to this eastside gem. The calamari was splendid, and it was cut in strips, more similar in size to how they serve it in Australia. We highly recommend it!

We went to Ichiban today. We’ve been to Japan and were looking for these vibes. When we arrived we were asked if we had a preference between standard tables or booths and we decided to seat in the booths. What we didn’t know is that the booths are like your traditional Japanese table, you need to take your shoes off and you can seat on a small pillow. So authentic! It’s also a good thing these booths have some room under the table so you can comfortably seat if you don’t want the full Japanese experience. The service was very good and fast, answering all questions and being very helpful. The food, surprisingly inexpensive, was excellent. We had the miso soup, gyozas, shumai, fried rice and different nigiri. The miso soup was delicious and the nigiri came with a generous amount of fish. My only thing is that the nigiri came with no wasabi in the actual nigiri, I like when the chef includes a bit of wasabi under the fish, like in Japan. Overall, an amazing experience for a very reasonable price. We’ll be back!

Great sushi bar experience, we had a the chef serving us at the bar, he was funny, and gave us complimentary mini salad, appetizer for my beer, and delicious secret spicy sauce. Even ending the night with a small sample of octopus

They got a beautiful entrance with lovely koi fish you can buy pellets inside to feed them. I ordered a lot because I was hungry the seaweed salad was great, so was the takoyaki, the sushi roll was much bigger than I expected. The server was great and really friendly.

I love this place. From the Koi fish who greet you as you walk over the bridge to get inside to the decor inside the restaurant- it’s superb! The inside looks like you’re outside in a way, like in a marketplace. There’s faux roof tops that line the walls around the restaurant. It’s super cool. In the back, they have tables with a sunken floor. You take off your shoes and put them on a shoe rack to enter this area. I think it’s so neat. Anyways, this is the place to go to get really good sushi in Austin. I’m talking really nice, thick cuts of quality fish! I love getting their sushi boats where you let the chef pick your fish. It’s always a hit. The staff here are so nice and do a fantastic job of making sure you have everything you need to enjoy your meal. Lastly, on my way out, I love buying the fish food for a buck and feeding the Koi fish. They’re so cute!

We absolutely LOVED this restaurant. I had it saved in my wishlist for a while and I wish I came here earlier. I loved the vibe and how authentic the interior design is. It reminded me of our trip to Japan. I had a wave of pleasant memories from sitting in the booth. The food was FANTASTIC. I had sushi and sashimi, the fish pieces were generous and the fish was literally melting in my mouth. My 4 year old absolutely loved her food. We got her an adult order. And she ate all the miso soup, all the rice and the Tonkatsu. The prices were surprisingly reasonable and the service was great. They gave us fish food and the kids enjoyed feeding koi fish outside. Overall a great experience, great atmosphere and great food. We will be back for sure. I'm already craving it lol

Overall 3.5. google doesn't let me choose half points. We ate the gyoza and sushi rolls only. Good food. Gyoza was crispy on the outside and the meat was well seasoned on the inside. The playboy and Mexican orgasm rolls were my favorite. We are couple of others too. The ginger was really really good. I will come back for the sushi but probably will do to go. The vibe was ok. Had a weird smell to the place and was humid.

Right at dinner time, so a little crowded, but we had a table right away. The Sapporo on draft is excellent. A very polite beer. Paired nicely with dinner

Ambiance: Ichiban is always a fun time, especially if you snag one of their cozy tatami rooms. It adds a unique touch to your dining experience, and they offer different sizes to accommodate various group sizes. Before heading in, I love to stop by the koi pond, which sets a peaceful tone for the meal. Service: The service is consistently friendly and prompt. This time, our server went above and beyond, surprising us with free desserts since we were celebrating a special occasion - such a thoughtful gesture! The staff here really makes you feel welcomed. Food & Drinks: We took advantage of their Happy Hour, which has great deals. We tried several HH dishes & drinks and were impressed with both. I also ordered the 5-piece sushi and roll combination, and it did not disappoint. Fresh and flavorful as always! Parking: Parking is fairly easy - lot is right in front of the restaurant, so no worries about hunting for a spot. Whether you're in the mood for Happy Hour or a sit-down meal in one of the tatami rooms, Ichiban delivers a delightful experience every time. Definitely coming back!

I thought I had given this place a review, but it appears this is my first. I have enjoyed my dining experience each time I have eaten here. The service is always excellent and the dining room reminds me of Japanese Restaurants that I visited in Okinawa. It has a sushi bar, tables with chairs as well as tables to sit on the floor (traditional). I ordered Poke (Tuna) this time. The dish was large and loaded with Tuna, caviar, veggies and rice. A great deal for the cost.

For starters, we randomly found this spot on Google Maps and took a chance on it and we were pleasantly surprised. Ambiance: - Love the interior design and the koi fish ponds leading into the restaurant - There are a few tables that follow traditional Japanese dining seating so you take off your shoes and sit on a matt, this section had a ton of privacy and space! It feels way more intimate and comfortable than a regular table, just go with friends without stinky feet. Food: Honestly, given the price point, I really enjoyed what we got. It definitely is one of the better $/$$ sushi restaurants in Austin and I appreciate the variety of menu options. - I got the Tempura Udon, it was really savory and refreshing and not too heavy at all. The tempuras were potato, carrots, and shrimp which were all very yum. The portion size was pretty great too. - We also got the Ichiban roll which was alright. We weren't the most impressed with it. Service: - Overall - the service was pretty great. It did take a while for the staff to take our orders just because we were a bit more secluded. But they were super friendly and sweet the entire time!

One of my favorite sushi restaurants in town! The service is always excellent, and the variety of seating is a huge plus. They have foor seating with cushions in elevated areas where no shoes are allowed! A very cozy and casual feel! Ordered some maki rolls and a few hand rolls! The unagi hand roll was fantastic with lots of eel! The salmon roll was tasty and fresh. Will have to come back and try more items off the menu

Simple review - food was really good, I recommend the garlic edamame to start with. We ordered an assortment of rolls each fresh and tasty. Really good quality. Restaurant was clean and had tons of seating along with a sushi bar. It didn't feel crowded and the staff were attentive and friendly. Will be there again, hopefully soon. Walked into Ichiban on a random Wednesday afternoon with family in tow. The outside of the restaurant was without any arrogance. It was obviously a sushi restaurant but without a fresh coat of paint. I'm sure the Texas sun baked it away long ago. The was a lovely koi pond just before the entrance with the most vibrant koi. The water was crystal clear, someone put a lot of effort in maintaining it. We ere quickly greeted and service was prompt and attentive. Really was a gem. I wasn't crazy about the wasabi, not enough kick for me but that was super minor. They brought the rolls out on a tiny boat which was kinda fun.

An overdue review. I have been here 3-4 times and the food is always amazing. The fish is fresh. Sushi roll is well seasoned

If you like raw fish, they got raw fish. The fish is good. If you like sitting with your feet in a pit, because your knees don't bend the way Japanese peoples' knees bend, they got pits. The pits are good. The room definitely FEELS the most Japanese of any of the sushi restaurants I have been to in Austin. We ordered the basic sushi/sashimi assortment - Which means we got a pretty boat and the standard ABC items. Salmon, tuna, yellowtail etc. There was a jalapeno dip we could have used if we didn't want to use wasabi. I understand why people use wasabi and tamari on sashimi. (It tastes good). But I still like my sashimi plain and naked. (Let me revise that last sentence. I like to eat fish that is plain and naked. I wear clothes myself.) Their ABC standard items are completely pleasant. The raw material here is good. I am curious about their more elaborate concoctions ... So as far as I am concerned, the jury is not in on Ichiban. But so far, I like what I see.

Very nice setting, loved the goldfish pond and semi-traditional seating (with a comfy twist for American audience). Took a while for the waiter to collect our drink orders, suhi was a bit hit or miss. Susan and happy ending rolls were good, but crazy roll and spicy tuna were a bit flat and the tuna roll was a little fishy. It's nice to have a happy hour option on Saturday, which brings better value to the sake and some of the rolls.

My new go-to spot for sushi in Austin! The service is top-notch and the atmosphere is quiet and cozy, making it perfect for a relaxed meal. I can't get enough of their spicy sashimi and the Happy Ending rolls. Plus, the table setup is really neat - it feels like you're sitting on the floor in Japan. And don't miss the sushi bar when you walk in - it sets the tone for a great dining experience. Oh, and feeding the koi fish at the entrance for just a dollar? It's a fun little bonus that adds to the charm of this place. Overall, a must-visit if you're craving some tasty sushi and a laid-back vibe.

The inside of the restaurant was pretty. We were sat ithr back and was told to take off our shoes and sit on the floor like japanese restaurant. We got a lot of rolls and the chef gave us free fried salmon! We got: - sexy girl - ichiban - spider roll - Mexican orgasm - tempura ice cream - red dragon - samurai roll - white blanco - spicy susan I personally had the ichiban and spider roll. The ichiban was my favorite between the two. It had more flavor and exactly what I expected. For the other rolls, everyone else I came with was pretty happy with what they got. The tempura ice cream had green tea ice cream in it. It was pretty good and big for what you get!

Much better experience this last time we ate here. Our group got to sit at one of the traditional style tables with mats on the floor. The sushi chefs are familiar with some of the members of our group so they sent complimentary appetizers, which was very nice. Loved the presentation of some of the dishes in a big boat, and in a beautiful bowl of ice lit from the bottom. The sushi was good quality for the price too.

Their online reservations does not work, I let them know through facebook page and they still have not fixed or replied to me. I also tried to call the restaurant directly for past 2 days and no reply. I think they have gone out of business or they just have horrible customer service.

Amazing place for dinner. Great, fresh sushi, super cute inside atmosphere, and wonderful waitstaff. We had not been here in years and decided to go again. Best decision!! Good staple with a fun vibe and fresh food.

I have been here several times. Great value, good sushies. Consistent quality. Good reason to spend your happy hour there

it's been a while since I ate at Ichiban, so a review would be out of date. It was good Asian food at the time

Usually the food is Amazing, today it was not good at all. My teriyaki meat was grissley and nasty and oily. I was given no condiments. I was very disappointed. I usually love this place.

I was skeptical at first when seeing the restaurant from across the street but I got it all wrong when dining here, it is actually great! It took me a while to look up the sushi restaurants around to find the one offering simple sake sashimi (salmon) and this one popped up that surprised me. When looking into the menu, I was totally sold! The variety is amazing, and the ambiance is also good. Food it fresh and not overpriced, we definitely got a good time and will come back. Parking can be tricky during dinner time because they are packed, but not a big problem. No reservation needed, we waited for 10min and got seated very quickly.

We called the morning of and asked for a reservation of 10 later in the evening. They were delighted to accommodate and upon arrival, we were seated promptly. The service we received was amazing and the staff are very sweet. It took roughly 25-30 minutes for the food to arrive but they took the time to bring out rice for the kids first which was super thoughtful. The rolls were great and fresh. The hotate (scallop) and ika (squid) tasted amazing and fresh as well. Everything came out perfect and tasted even better. The restaurant sort of transports you into another world as you cross the bridge that overlooks the huge koi fish. I'd come here again, given the chance. Thanks for accommodating our party and being so kind. 10/10

Fantastic sushi place with immaculate Japanese vibes! This specific location has the lowered tables to give you an authentic sushi experience. I went with my friend for happy hour on a Friday and got seated fast and the sushi came out incredibly fast. We ordered enough that it filled a whole boat of sushi. I will definitely be coming here again when I need my sushi fix!

We ran into this place looking for another Japanese restaurant, glad we stopped here though. The restaurant was very nice looking and clean. The staff greeted us and seated us within a minute or so of walking in. They even had these table that were low so you could take your shoes off and eat sitting on the ground (very authentic, I almost asked to switch tables to have the full experience). After about a 20 min wait our beautifully presented Nigiri and Sushi rolls came out. Fried dumplings in a cute tiny little boat with sauce. Complimentary soup, I'm pretty sure it was Miso soup (way to fishy for me). All in all, this was a fantastic experience!!! I can't wait to come back and try their bento boxes!

This is one of my favorite mid tier sushi joints to go to in Austin. I love bringing my friends here to celebrate special occasions like birthdays. If you want to impress your date, take them here and request a table on the floor. It gives your dining experience an authentic Japanese feel. One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the koi pond outside. You can pay $1 to purchase fish food to feed them. They are so beautiful to admire. My favorite things to order are specialty rolls and udon noodles. I usually order the Playboy roll and chefs nigiri selection. Overall, this is a restaurant I will continue to return to and recommend to loved ones.

Prior to COVID I rarely are sushi except for special occasions. During COVID I learned of the great lunch specials at Ichiban, a restaurant I had driven by for years. Now I frequently do take out and throughly enjoy their Udon, their teriyaki, and their rolls. My favorite roll is the Lovey Dovey!

I like this place. I have been here many times before. Sushi here is always fresh. Due to high prices I don't go there as often as I wanted, but out of all places I would prefer to go back here.

Hadn't been in so long! Everything was fantastic. We made it in for happy hour, service was great as always.

One of my fav sushi spots in town. Always is so great. Staff is friendly. Place is always clean. Their happy hour rules. I love taking my shoes off and sitting in the booth.

As far as mid-tier sushi goes, this place is exactly what I expected food-wise. Where they really shined was in the decor of the place, great service, and large portion sizes. They have little floor tables around the edges of the restaurant which I thought were really cute (we didn't get to sit there though sadly). I loved the sushi boats that they brought our food out in, it made the experience more fun! I also ordered the tonkatsu chicken here, and was expecting just one filet but to my surprise the portion was HUGE.

Came here around 5:45 with a group of friends on a Saturday evening. We ordered an Ichiban roll, 2 spider rolls, chefs choice of nigiri, salmon roll, and an avocado roll, with takoyaki as an appetizer. We asked to sit at their floor tables which requires you to take off your shoes to enter. There is actually a floor pit for you to put your feet under the table! Since we had ordered a few rolls, they served us on a boat with a little LED ball. Had a fun experience and the price ended up being between $20-30 a person based on how we split up our rolls. Their happy hour outside their door is from 4:00-6:00, but our bill did not reflect the happy hour prices. Probably would have been good to clarify if their happy hour was based off of when we received the check or when we arrived, and whether they still had happy hour during COVID. The takoyaki was superb and the ichiban roll as well! Spider roll was pretty good but I didn't try the nigiri or salmon roll to comment on them. Would come again, ... if I made it in time for happy hour.

GREAT FOOD. We went during lunch hour during the week and we didn't have to wait to sit. We ordered the jjampong because a Korean woman I met recently recommended it. It was SO good and spicy! It had lots of noodles and seafood in it. We also ordered the tonkatsu bento box. This had a little of everything, which I love about bento boxes! It had veggie tempura, miso soup, California roll, rice, and more! The food is quality for the price.

Their food is always fresh, fast, and super tasty. Their Japanese food is good, but the secret is with the Korean food. Even my kiddo loves this place. It's got great atmosphere and the servers are always so helpful. Great place for date night or even take the family.

Love everything about this restaurant from the authentic Tatami Seating (Zashiki) to the sushi rolls. The fish is fresh, gyoza are crispy, and the sake is cold! This place is a hidden gym of Austin. Every-time I come here I order different rolls and have yet to be disappointed.

Consistently amazing. The beef yakitori is my favorite non-sushi pick. We love all the rolls and the service is always amazing. Our kid asks to come here all the time and he loves to feed the fish at the front.

As long as they aren't too busy this place is delicious and consistently good. I like the hot saki, dumplings, and chicken katsu.

The best sushi in the austin area. love the floor seating/private booths. The fish is always high quality and super fresh i love this place. been going here since i was in highschool and that was like 6 years ago, try the place out you wont be disappointed!!

The restaurant was super cute and the sushi was AMAZING + very reasonably priced!! The fact that it was served on a boat was so fun and made it even better :). I'm already thinking about the food again hours later. I have no complaints about the service -- our server was friendly and everything got to the table in a reasonable amount of time (about 15-20 minutes after ordering). We went during peak hours (about 7-8pm) on a Friday night and we still only waited for 15 minutes before our table was ready. Definitely recommend!!

Their to-go sushi was incredible! Super tasty and high quality fish in a great presentation.

This place is a hidden gem. I've passed by it so many times. Finally hit it up while I was getting my car cleaned next door. There's a cool little koi pond as you approach the entrance. The food was fantastic. I'd recommend splitting the mushroom tempura and add a roll. I only had Nigiri today, but will be back to try their signature rolls.

This place is located around the corner from my apartment! Their happy hour is solid and is Monday - Saturday from 4-6pm. We ordered an assortment of their Nigiri, Sashimi and a variety of rolls along with some of their Korean options like their Bibimbap & Bulgogi and washed it down with some Hot Sake. If you're in the North Central part of Austin, give this place a try!

Solid neighborhood sushi restaurant. The lunch special is a deal--comes with miso soup and salad! Love the jjampong and the rolls. Nice Korean owners who catered to my mom's intolerance to spicy foods:)

Good spot. Not the best. But a good regular sushi place. Good service. Nice ambiance. Koy fish.

They have some of the nicest koi fish before you enter into the restaurant. They do have sanitizer if you are afraid of covid. It was not really crowded when we went do it was no wait to sit. The shrimp tempura was good. The sauce is what I wanted to be a little better. The chicken fried rice was a nice portion size. The sushi was good as well. The portion size of that was nice as well. Overall it was nice. Great experience. If you like sushi you will have something you like here! Give them a try

Service was good, food was great! Also very accommodating when it came to my severe sesame allergy. This place was recommended by a server at another restaurant we went to.

We went here for HH and it was a great experience. Service was amazing and the sushi was yummy. The ingredients were fresh and it was super cheap compared to many other HH sushi places that I have been to around town. The place, interior, plates etc. are all a little outdated but the location is nice to get some grub before heading downtown. The Korean food was a bit overpriced but was still delicious. We tried a little bit of everything and it was all pretty good so I don't think I would have a specific recommendation or anything you should stay away from either. Can't wait to go back here with friends for another wonderful HH.

Ichiban has excellent sushi and they're doing online takeout! The prices are reasonable and the sushi is much better than other take out restaurants. I love the koi pond outside the front entrance. The agedashi tofu is also really good.

Ichiban is a nice little Korean + Japanese restaurant on the north side of Austin that offers a variety of flavorful Sushi rolls as well as some of your Korean staples. My fiancé and I came in on a Friday night and the place was busy. The parking lot was completely full and it took some circling about until we could make it in. The waitress estimated a ~30 minute wait for a table but fortunately there were two bar seats available for us immediately. The staff was working at capacity and it took about 15 minutes of us sitting before we were able to put in our orders. Although the wait was not ideal, the chef at the counter went out of his way to present us with some comp'd sashimi and the waiter later brought us some miso soup, also on the house. Attentiveness to things like these always make a guest feel welcome and we were very grateful for the hospitality. We ordered a spicy tuna roll was alright, but the star of the show came through on the Korean food. They had one of the best Seafood Pancakes we've had in Austin and their ban-chan is top notch. A great place to get your pan-Asian fix if you're hanging around the north side. Overall, we had a great experience despite the busy-ness (which is to be expected on a Friday evening). The food was enjoyable and the attentiveness and quality of service from the staff made it a great night.

This place is pretty good! Thoroughly enjoyed our dishes ! Nice portion for the price. Will come back to try other items.

Food was great but as we were leaving we encountered a large rat by our shoes. How disgusting

There are normal dining tables and individual space where you need to take off your shoes. The vibe is pretty Japanese IMO. Service was really nice, our waitress kept apologizing for the wait even tho I didn't feel the wait was too long. The sashimi combination was fine, I felt that the white tuna was not very fresh and the cut might be a bit too thick, takoyaki was flavorful and not overloaded with the mayonnaise, but the inside might be a bit heavy on the flour, wish there's more octopus inside, but you can def taste crispy cabbage out of it. The unaju was pretty good with the seaweed paper and the rice! Overall I like it here, the price is with quite reasonable as well.

Ordered lunch, the 2 white fish nigiri stunk!! I ordered what I thought came with miso and salad ?? But guess I was wrong?? .. 16 dollar lunch I could have gone elsewhere w more for the buck then just a lame roll and stinky nigiris. The slots on the bento box are wasted .. they cover it up w ginger, year worth of wasabi and eel sauce

Wonderful food, appetizers, lunch special, enjoyable atmosphere & amazing service and ambiance.