ICHIBAN Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Waitematā

Ichiban ramen is located along a very secluded street in Auckland CBD. First time in this city and at night 90% of the shops are closed at 8pm on a Friday night. Ichiban opens 6 days a week (not 7 days).

If you peep through the front window, it appears to be a very tiny restaurant with a U-shaped seating adjacent to the kitchen. We did not know nor did the staff offer us to sit inside (more for the regulars or for Japanese people). There’s a bar area and a large screen for karaoke.

Have you ever noticed when your inside a Japanese restaurant, whether the staff are Japanese/Korean or Chinese? At Ichiban it’s run by Japanese so what you eat is guaranteed authentic Japanese food. The menu is very simple and only offer their signature dishes, mainly rice and ramen dishes.

The dishes highly recommend to try in no particular order include: Ichiban chaysu ramen Teriyaki chicken don Buta don Ichiban curry Pork dumplings Jigoku seafood ramen Jigoku chaysu ramen

My favourite is the ichiban chaysu ramen which has a delicious spicy broth topped with pork slices, bean sprouts and corn.

The dishes were served very quickly, well presented and tasty. Portion of the bowls are reasonable but could be slightly bigger or at least offer option for more noodles. Prices are quite expensive, average bowl costs $20 (is this the new norm?). For dinner we ordered 3 bowls of ramen, 1 teriyaki chicken don and 1 dumping the total was $99. Lunch menu is...

A Taste of Japan!

I stumbled upon this gem of a ramen joint, and it was like a culinary time machine whisking me back to the streets of Japan with each flavorful bite.

The ramen here is nothing short of perfection, from the springy noodles to the rich, aromatic broth that warms both body and soul.

The menu boasts a variety of options, each crafted with attention to detail and authenticity.

The toppings are fresh and abundant, adding layers of texture and taste to every bowl.

The ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for solo diners seeking a comforting meal or groups of friends sharing stories over steaming bowls of goodness. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready with recommendations or a warm smile.

If you're in search of an authentic ramen experience that transports you to the heart of Japan, look no further than this hidden gem. It's a culinary journey worth taking time...

As "something of a heatseeker", I knew I had to try this ramen joint when I saw their ichiban chashu had 5 levels of heat to select from. After being disappointed with the level of heat offered across the rest of the North Island, I can safely say that this restaurant does not disappoint. I ordered level 4 on the heat scale and found it to be very spicy and still full of rich ramen broth flavour. I honestly don't think I could have handled the full level 5 heat.

I will say that it is on the upper end of the price range for ramen, but I feel that it is definitely money well spent. The portion was ample and the meat and vegetables were of high quality. Pair a bowl of ramen with an L&P or an Asahi and you've got a great start (or finish) to...