Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse Jackson — Restaurant in Jackson

My friend and I were cold and hungry from a mega Christmas shopping spree and although we did not want to stop shopping, we decided it's time. We wanted somewhere relatively quick but somewhat healthy....we decided to go to eat at Ichiban. The girls at the front desk greeted us immediately when we walked through the doors and just as quickly seated us at a grill that was already taking orders. Fortunately we knew what we wanted, I ordered the chicken grill and my friend the filet minion. We received a salad and soup and before I could get my chopsticks open, the chef was verifying our orders. We wanted a quick meal but this was almost too fast. The atmosphere was noisy and busy. There were people singing Happy Birthday while chefs were fire-cleaning their grills. The energy however was not annoying but rather perked us up and breathed a second wind into us. Our chef had a good set of showy tricks up his sleeve and effortlessly made the smoking volcano, tossed eggs up and caught them again with his spatula and tossed shrimp into his hat. He also tossed food bits at people to catch with their mouths when dinner was a little further along. The chef did a masterful job cooking each element of the dinner the way I like it and he even threw in 2 free shrimp for everyone. (Veggies were a little firm, chicken was cooked thoroughly but not tough and the rice was a little crispy). I would have liked more veggies but I always have that problem. We got exactly what we wanted but if you are not in a hurry to eat and you would like to relax and chat a little while you dine, this is probably not a good choice for you. I have eaten here before and my meat was cooked to shoe leather. I mention this in case you have a visit that does not turn out as well as ours did, give them a second chance.....everyone has an off day. One last little tip, if you go at lunch time, most all meals are between...

The hibachi experience I had previously here was good, comparative to several others I've had in the past at different hibachi style restaurants. The hibachi sounded good but I just wanted it for take out. Come to find out it is not available in take out form, or at least not at this establishment, but I could get sushi. I really wanted miso soup and this looked like the only place reasonably close to get some, partially because many restaurants close in Jackson on Sundays, which I find to be very frustrating. Anyway, I went for the sushi option because miso wasn't going to be enough. I got home after after picking up my food only to find there was no tofu in my miso soup...grrr. I called to inquire, I was told they were out of tofu, unfortunately they did not convey this to me before picking up the order and leaving. The young lady I spoke with apologized but that doesn't really fix it unfortunately, especially now that I'm already home and comfy aka no option to say no to the soup unless I want to drive back over to return it possibly. Not happening. I ate the tofu-less miso and moved on to the sushi. I had two rolls, the Philadelphia roll and the Spicy tuna roll, both of which I have had more times than I can count at other establishments. BOTH were extremely salty almost to the point of inedible in my opinion. I was even using the extra light soy sauce. On top of that the tuna in the tuna roll had an extremely mealy texture and I really couldn't finish it. Moral of the story, I would go back for the in-house hibachi, but I wouldn't do the sushi again at all, or take out. This town really needs a good Thai or Vietnamese or Indian option. All three would be best. Time to start expanding the palates of the...

Two stars because it was convienent and 30% off Thursday to go but I don't feel even at 14.00 for three rolls it was worth it.

I'm going to try the hibachi lunch and report back but sushi was a no go.

Ordered: Shrimp Tempura Roll: 6.25 Spicy Tuna Roll: 6.25 Spicy Cali Roll: 6.25

I knew it was off when I got my bag and they fit in one tray.

6 small peices per roll that looks similar to something you would find in a grocery store.

That is over 1.00 a per peice for low budget looking rolls.

I'll let the photo do the rest, small rolls, subpar chefs or no love in the rolling.

Jackson is really missing out on good sushi, I'll try Akai, hear good things.

I'm near Lansing and Ukai and Sansu blow this out of the water plus E Lansing just opened all you can eat sushi, and other menu cooked to order as you order which is great!

Ukai in okemos has a killer hh (see my photos and review) and the sushi is stellar, fat rolls and same if not better prices.

Business is business and the owners are lining their pockets on naive sushi goers, real talk, I have had better sushi at Fresh Thyme market and Kroger and you get more peices.

I'm not going to ding them lower the place was packed and I want to try the hibachi but I will tell you Jackson, you are over paying for this quality of sushi, stop throwing your money away and drive 30 minutes to Lansing / Okemos and see what real sushi is.

My Ukai photo : 3.00 seaweed salad , the two rolls we're 16.00 total and the sushi boat 4 rolls we're 30.00! Happy Hour m-f 4 to close all day Sunday.

No I'm not affiliated but wake up Jackson and...