Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar — Restaurant in Sioux City

I wish we had a good experience, but did not. Some notes:

-Our appetizer was good, i think it was called the escaro? Nice and spicy and came in a timely manner.

-we had salads that came and the ginger dressing was good as well, comparable to other sushi places.

-service was not good. We asked the waitress when we got there we asked the waitress what she liked on the menu because we had never been there before. She said she didn't like anything but "The chicken is good". As someone with experience in the restaurant business, don't tell me this. Lie. What do other people order?? Recommend that. HOWEVER, she did sent over the bartender who helped us navigate the menu and she recommended a few things to us.

-we ordered four rolls total, one that was riceless and wrapped in cucumber that was good, but the other rolls we ordered were "meh". Nothing spectacular or to write home about.

-The biggest nail in the coffin: Our waitress and other worker sat down to fold napkins and WERE BOTH ON THEIR PHONES, fully visible to my table and pretty much everyone else's. This happened twice.

-after our food was dropped off, we lost track of our waitress. We were finished eating and needed our ticket. It was at least 15 minutes with no food on our table when I finally found her again and flagged her over. After dropping off the ticket, she disappeared again and we just went up to the front to pay.

-the soy sauce in the Kikkoman bottles on the table was NOT Kikkoman. It tasted extremely salty and I'm guessing it was a cheaper brand inside the bottle. Completely awful.

For spending $75 on dinner, we expected more. The building was decorated nicely but was a little dusty. Not sure if the hibachi is any better, but we left...

Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse in Sioux City, Iowa, is a true gem that offers a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The moment you walk through the doors, you’re greeted with a homey and inviting environment that sets the tone for an exceptional dining experience. The decor is warm and elegant, creating a perfect setting for both casual meals and special occasions.

The staff at Ichiban is always friendly and attentive, ensuring that every guest feels right at home. Their professionalism and genuine hospitality make each visit memorable, and it’s clear that the management team has set a high standard for customer service. The management at Ichiban is top-tier, consistently going above and beyond to maintain the restaurant’s excellent reputation.

One of the standout features of Ichiban is their hibachi grill. The chefs are not only skilled in preparing delicious meals but also excel in entertaining their guests. Watching them perform their culinary magic at the hibachi grill is a delight, making the dining experience both fun and interactive. They engage with the guests, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere that keeps patrons coming back for more.

The food at Ichiban is nothing short of phenomenal. From the fresh and flavorful sushi to the perfectly cooked steaks and seafood, every dish is prepared with care and precision. The menu offers a wide variety of options, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Japanese cuisine or looking to try something new, Ichiban delivers with consistency...

Always delicious, perfectly prepared food, but the service could be improved. In all the years I have been eating there (since they opened) I don't think I have ever seen a manager making sure that the servers were taking good care of the guests. There is frequently a large group of employees hanging around at the bar, while guests are needing refills or waiting for someone to come take their order.

If you are eating at the grill and have a small group, be prepared for a very long wait since they often wait for more guests to come and fill up the table before they send out a chef. We have had such ridiculously long waits at the grill that we only eat at the tables now.

Tonight, our food was cold but the server never once came back to check on us or ask how the food was. We never even saw her in our section until she came to offer boxes. Management really needs to train their servers better, and be active in the dining room to make sure the servers are taking care of the guests. In the future I think I will stick with getting the food to go so we can warm it ourselves, since it has been cold our last few visits. They must plate up the rice and noodles and leave it sitting out while they finish cooking the meat so it is cold by the time...