Aji Ichiban — Restaurant in Cincinnati

Cute & quaint restaurant that plays big band music, ambiance was ok the waitress was eh. She came over to ask if we were done with the cocktail glasses and we said "yes, we're also done with these plates" she took the glasses and never came back to remove the empty/not touched plates at a two topper (that should've been my first sign that she was being weird to us.) Anywho, everything else was ok food wise then we got our bill with 20% gratuity listed, we proceeded to look around the restaurant and see if there were any signs that noted this policy-there weren't so kept quiet-the person with me said "well this is new" because she has been there multiple times and she raves about it which is why I wanted to try it. ANY-DARN-WHO I kept quiet until we were walking out and I noticed it was a receipt on the floor, that customer had come in around 4pm (we got there at 5ish) I skimmed over the receipt and noticed it did NOT have the gratuity charge, well now I have questions. So I took the receipt back over to the counter and laid it next to our two receipts and waited for the waitress to come back over. When she got there I asked her why were FORCED to pay gratuity and this customer wasn't to which she replied "oh they tipped $20" so at this point she was either choosing to have a miss in understanding or hoping I dropped the subject (I didn't). So I reiterated and clarified what I was asking, this party came in an hour before we did and they were NOT forced to pay gratuity and I pointed at all 3 receipts and then she said "oh my daughter rang them up I ALWAYS charge gratuity she doesn't, it's my daughters fault." She then took the receipt and balled it up, well now I'm furious and ready to raise my voice but I'm sure as soon as I did that her language barrier would be ever present and I look like I'm berating a foreigner and yadda, yadda yadda when I'm just tryna get answers because I'm taking this whole incident personal AF. Now if the gentleman that was also there on 7/23 at 7pm when all this occurred is just so happening to read this review tell me, were you forced to pay gratuity also or is it just the dynamic duo whose having all the fun with the extra charges? The lady whose name starts with an "O" did it on purpose and I won't be returning, it's enough Asian restaurants in the area that skipping this one won't hurt. ✌🏽 #ShanghaiOnElm4Ever

Edit: I should've read these reviews first she charged us those additional charges on...

I once placed a review giving them 5 stars for their food and even placed a long separate review in a food group on Facebook. After I did that, someone told me that they had issues in the past for arguing with a black customer and calling her a “Gorilla” but I foolishly defended them and said I would keep my reviews up because they garnished A LOT of interactions and I wanted them to gain more business. Fast forward to today and I REALLY REGRET THAT. I MAY HAVE made a mistake about being overcharged, which I apologized for, and their daughter said that they would still give me a free lunch because they appreciate all the things I did to get them more business, and just to ask for “Doris”. Well today I called and the husband picked up so I asked for Doris and he immediately starts calling me a scammer along with other names I couldn’t really understand, and said that if I want food I can order and pay cash but I won’t scam him…I guess after I already spent between $500-$800 with them I decided it was time to scam them out of a free lunch 🙄. I couldn’t even explain to him that his daughter told me I wasn’t overcharged but that they would still give me a free lunch; OR tell him that I was going to place a separate order for my wife that I was going to pay for, just to try to make it fair, but he couldn’t hear because he kept calling me a “Scammer”. Doris finally got on the phone and tried to apologize and say that “he wasn’t aware that I was supposed to get that” but honestly I’ve never been so disrespected in my life and I don’t trust having that man make my food anymore. The food is good but customer service seems to be terrible if they’re calling black people “Gorillas” and “scammers”. I asked him multiple times to calm down because I’m not mad and I’m not trying to scam and he decided it was better to handle the situation by calling me names and...

As someone originally from Japan, finding authentic Japanese cuisine can be a challenge. But we’ve found our new favorite in the Cincinnati area – Aji Ichiban. This hidden gem, located on the west side of downtown, offers great food in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that made my family’s dining experience memorable.

The dinner started with a surprise. Instead of the typical miso soup, we were served osuimono, a dashi-based clear broth garnished with mushrooms and fried onions. The combination of tender mushroom and the savory flavor of the onions was a creative and appreciated touch.

I think deep-fried dishes can reveal a lot about the quality of a restaurant, and it’s clear that Aji-Ichiban’s chef has mastered the art. My youngest son absolutely loved Tatsuta-style fried chicken and cleared the dish in no time. The soft shell crab, shrimp, and vegetable tempura were delicately crisp on the outside and tender inside – just the way I like it.

The tempura paired well with their Shochikubai series of sake by Takara, a brewery founded over 180 years ago in Kyoto. I chose the Rei Junmai Daiginjo, the highest quality sake, served in an ochoko cup.

For the main dish, I enjoyed a medium-rare Hibachi filet mignon – it practically melted in my mouth. As I write this review, I can still taste the juicy flavor of the mignon. The caramelized fried rice and vegetables were nicely seasoned, complementing the meat. The highlight of the dinner didn’t end with the main dish, but with a refreshing Suntory Hibiki cocktail that Doris prepared. The blend of the spirit has a fragrance of Mizunara oak, which reminds me of Japan and is so addicting.

Aji Ichiban truly lives up to its name - The Best Flavor, and I can’t wait to try their deep-fried...