Ichiban Japanese Restaurant
Located at 2011 S Broadway Ste L Santa Maria, CA 93454, Ichiban Japanese Restaurant offers a memorable dining experience, blending the rich flavors of Japanese cuisine with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether you're a local resident or just visiting the area, Ichiban’s extensive menu and excellent service make it a standout choice for anyone craving authentic Japanese dishes. The restaurant serves a variety of mouth-watering appetizers, rice dishes, poke bowls, sushi rolls, and bento boxes, alongside a curated selection of drinks, including beer, sake, and wine.
A Diverse Menu with Japanese Delights
At Ichiban, the menu features a wide range of options that will satisfy all kinds of cravings. For those looking for lighter bites, appetizers like Edamame, Sunomono, and Ika Sansai (a mix of octopus and vegetables) are a great start. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, the Sake Don (salmon rice bowl) or Unagi Don (grilled eel rice bowl) will surely hit the spot. Poke Bowls offer a refreshing twist, with varieties like Avocado Poke Bowl, Albacore Poke, and Salmon Poke.
For dinner, Ichiban offers hearty choices like Chicken Teriyaki, Tonkatsu, and Salmon Teriyaki, served in generous portions with all the classic Japanese accompaniments. The Dinner Bento Boxes are particularly popular, combining flavors like Chicken Katsu and California Bento in one meal. Fans of sushi will not be disappointed with an assortment of fresh Nigiri and Roll Sushi, including the crowd-favorite California Roll and Salmon Roll. The Sashimi selection is also top-notch, featuring fresh cuts of Sake Sashimi and Tuna Sashimi.
Cozy and Welcoming Atmosphere with Great Service
One of the highlights of Ichiban is its warm, welcoming environment. The restaurant takes reservations, making it an ideal place for both intimate dinners and group gatherings. The interior features a comfortable, casual setting, with the option for outdoor seating—perfect for those looking to enjoy their meal in the fresh air. For those in a hurry, Ichiban offers takeout and delivery services. They also accept credit cards and Apple Pay for added convenience.
Customers often rave about the service, with many mentioning how friendly and attentive the staff are. Whether you're seated at a booth or the sushi bar, you'll always feel like part of the family. According to a recent review by customer "Terry C.," Ichiban’s sushi bar service is a standout, with sushi that is "expertly prepared" and presented beautifully. The portions are generous, ensuring a satisfying experience from start to finish.
What Customers Are Saying: A Consistently Positive Experience
The positive reviews for Ichiban are numerous, with diners frequently noting both the quality of the food and the friendly atmosphere. For example, "K W." shared their ongoing experience with the restaurant, noting the consistent high quality of food and service. "Peter and Kevin and the rest of the family are great. Food is expertly prepared and presented. We are always welcomed and have just the right amount of interaction with the two at the Sushi Bar," they wrote, emphasizing the personal touch and care that makes each visit feel special.
Another customer, "A P.," mentioned enjoying the Bento box with Teriyaki Salmon and Tempura for lunch. While they appreciated the generous portion sizes, they also pointed out that the teriyaki sauce on the salmon could have been more flavorful. Even so, the overall dining experience was praised for its freshness and presentation.
Services That Make Ichiban Stand Out
What really sets Ichiban Japanese Restaurant apart from the competition is its broad range of services designed for convenience and enjoyment. In addition to the ability to take reservations, Ichiban offers delivery, takeout, and catering services, making it perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you're having a quiet meal alone, a group dinner with friends, or a family outing, Ichiban provides an accommodating environment. The availability of Wi-Fi and bike parking shows their commitment to meeting the needs of all guests, while the dog-friendly outdoor seating is a welcome bonus for pet owners.
Ichiban also offers a selection of alcoholic beverages, including Japanese beers like Asahi and Sapporo, premium sake, and fine wines, perfect for pairing with your meal. Whether you're dining in or taking your food to go, Ichiban ensures you have an excellent experience every time.
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy delicious, fresh, and expertly prepared Japanese food in a casual and inviting setting, Ichiban Japanese Restaurant in Santa Maria should be on your list. With a fantastic menu, attentive service, and a variety of dining options, it’s no wonder that locals and visitors alike continue to return time and time again.
Reviews
Stopped into Ichibon for lunch. We were quickly and warmly greeted and seated in our choice of a booth, table, or at the sushi bar. We ordered a shashimi dish off their special menu and a Rock n' Roll roll. The Rock n' Roll was attractively plated. The generous roll was cut into twelve pieces, which was nice, without having to fit large pieces in our mouth with every bite. The fish was fresh and of excellent quality. Today's special menu listed a chef's special, "Sashmi Delight," which was a pile of shashimi over a dome of shredded daikon radish covered in various sauces. The shashimi seemed lost in this creation, and the sauces were excessive. Next time, I will order a regular sashmi or bento. The service was quite good, the premises were very clean, and the ambiance of the restaurant was appropriate.
Best of the best. Peter and Kevin and the rest of the family are great. Food is expertly prepared and presented. We are always welcomed and have just the right amount of interaction with the two at the Sushi Bar. We try to go there every other week.
Nice setting and very welcoming hosts. The food was worth the price and came quickly. The sushi was fresh and they had a cute sushi bar that you could sit at. The ramen wasn't the best ever, but it was good enough for the location and price.
The rolls are SO good! The people who work there always welcome you with a smile. I like the new openness to the restaurant.
Went for lunch last week. And ordered the Lunch special. Bento box with Teriyaki Salmon, and Tempura, which is is a two item choice. It came with Miso soup, and a small salad. Tempura was generous pietion of Two shrimps, two gyozas, and vegees. ***The lunch was good except the Teryaki sauce on the Salmon is mild in flavor. And looked like it was just poured onto the Salmon. No grill flavor. My Grandson ordered the Salmon Roll, inside and out. A great portion. But needed some seasoning. They serve a variety if Sushi rolls also. Service was good. It's a small cafe. Small * booth style walls with Chairs for seating.