Ichiban Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Albuquerque

The first time was about a year ago, which was before their remodel. For the first visit, I would have given 3 stars. I ordered soondubu jigae and it wasn't as flavorful as I hoped. The service at that time was also slow and our server was absentminded.

My recent visit from just two days ago deserves 4 stars. My husband ordered the sashimi dinner and the cuts of fish were large, of great quality and very fresh. Both of us were surprised at the great cuts of sashimi. Totally worth the money.

The Volcano roll, which got a lot of great reviews here, was not what I expected. It may be my fault though. I expected something spicy, considering it was called the "volcano" roll, but it was sweet and tangy. If you're in the mood for something sweet and tangy, give it a try. If you want spicy, this isn't it. Like I said, it's my own fault.

The tempura udon was a nice surprise though. I expected a bowl with a few pieces of tempura in the broth, but it came with a full plate of tempura placed on top of the bowl. No soggy tempura! The batter was light and crispy and the shrimp and veggies were cooked perfectly inside. The noodles weren't mushy, but had a great chewy texture. The broth was good, but a tiny bit salty for me. There was nothing else in the broth, except the noodles and tempura bits. I was expecting a few slices of fish cake, green onions, mushroom or something.

The reasons for not giving Ichiban 5 stars is the salty udon broth and the fact that there was nothing besides tempura bits in the udon. Otherwise, it was a great meal. The service was much better this time as well. I'll definitely be returning. Next time, I'll ask our server which rolls are spicy, instead of just going...

If I could give a no star review, I would. I am so disappointed and so upset. I have been coming here since I was 14 years old, that’s over 15 years of loyalty and even supported during the pandemic shut down. I came in today with my mom, husband and 3 children. We order a few menu items and a whole lot of sushi. The miso soup was barely luke warm, the seaweed salad had hair in it, (coming from a restaurant manager, hair is my biggest pet peeve) then we order a Yaki soba noodle dish for the kids, which they ended up giving us the completely wrong yaki soba dish. My children barely ate there food because it was just that unappetizing, I sent the seaweed salad back, some of the fish on the sushi didn’t taste right (I worked at Slapfish for years, I know what fresh fish tastes like) and to top it all off the servers and waitresses only checked on us twice throughout the hour and a half we were there. Being a restaurant manager, I know how important it is to tip servers, but these group of ladies put a gratuity of 23 dollars on our tab, which I believe was about 18%, when I feel they didn’t deserve that because their lack of inconsistent table side service. I was also listening in on some of the conversations around me, our table wasn’t the only table to have gotten wrong orders. I won’t be coming back after todays visit. Also your not suppose to tax gratuity as...

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant is a hidden gem that delivers an exceptional dining experience. From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the tone for a delightful meal. The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive, and eager to ensure your visit is nothing short of perfect.

The menu boasts a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone. The sushi is incredibly fresh and beautifully presented, with flavors that truly stand out. I particularly loved their specialty rolls, which were both creative and delicious. Their teriyaki dishes are equally impressive, perfectly cooked with just the right balance of flavors.

The restaurant's attention to detail extends beyond the food to their service and ambiance. The clean, modern decor, combined with subtle Japanese accents, creates a relaxed and enjoyable setting for dining with family, friends, or even a special occasion.

The pricing is very reasonable, especially considering the quality and portion sizes. It’s clear that Ichiban prioritizes its customers’ satisfaction, making it an ideal spot for a memorable meal. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or just looking to explore Japanese cuisine, Ichiban Japanese Restaurant is a must-visit. I can’t wait to return and try more of their...