Best Sushi spot in PB. Can't beat the prices. So much food, for such little cost and delicious. I have been going to Ichiban for years and I'm never disappointed. My family and order Calamari, Crunchy roll, and the chicken bento box that's always on special. And we share among the 4 of us. The only bad part about it is the parking, you're lucky if you can find parking right in front of the restaurant.
(5)
Steve W.
Always great specials, big quantity servings, and above all...good taste. Order the spicy mayo as a side dipping sauce....creamy and soooooo good....mmmmm!
(5)
Alessandria R.
The ordering system is weird. You pay first before you sit down. Not your typical sushi restaurant. However...after nearly walking out because of the weird first impression I'm glad we stayed. The sushi rolls are HUGE and delightful. Fresh, good taste & textures. I will be back. Price is cheap too. I paid $6-8 per roll. A surprisingly good sushi joint. Now I can believe the 4-star hype. Definitely recommended for a casual sushi dining experience. Update: went back for lunch and found the large benro boxes were a great bang for my buck as well.
(4)
Mike F.
Super cheap and fresh! Love this spot. Go for happy hour which ends at 7pm pretty much everyday. Kiren on tap for 2$
(5)
Richard C.
Thus is great sushi and and very reasonable prices. This is first place that serves cilantro. Which made the sushi really yummy. They also have sukiyaki.
(4)
Laura L.
Takes just like grocery store sushi. Don't bother. Very disappointing. We ordered four different rolls and all of them tasted like paste. Prices super cheap. I guess ya get what you pay for.
(1)
Dino C.
Been going here for years. Even though it's been months since I've been back, my coworkers and I love going here due to the food selection, the quality, and the price. We do get full eating here. . .try the Curry...big plate! Parking can be a bit of a challenge since it's located in PB but worth it during lunch. Sorry, haven't tried it out for dinner. So, yes, recommend this place and also Niban in Kearny Mesa area.
(5)
Elisa E.
I'm fairly new to sushi, so my review should be taken with a grain of salt. So far, I've tried a handful of places (Sushi Deli in Kearny Mesa, Ra Sushi downtown, and Mika Sushi). This place is definitely my favorite - they have great specials on sushi before 7PM every night and you can get some cheap sake to go with it. Definitely try the Paradise roll, which has tuna, avocado, salmon, and crab mix. Delicious! Important: They close during the afternoons on Saturday / Sunday, which is understandable since it's dead quiet.
(4)
Melissa L.
My husband and I live in the area and Ichiban is a regular in our week night dinner rotation. We like it because it provides a casual, affordable, consistantly tasty, sit down hot meal with no fuss. Some of our favorites include the chicken katsu curry, stamina noodle soup, lion king roll, and dynamite roll.
(4)
Zulma O.
Super fresh and affordable. Went here with my boyfriend and his mother and for 3 rolls and a bento box we only paid 30 some. The bento boxes are a great deal! My favorite roll is the salmon. Like I said, super super fresh! Great date place and their service is super fast. Will definitely make this one of my regulars.
(5)
Jay G.
Food was good for the price. Not the best sushi money can buy, but I came here because it was cheap. Only downside is that it is in PB, so there's a chance you may have to deal with a drunk asshole. I took my family here twice and once there was a very large guy who was drunk making a scene.
(4)
Glo A.
The Sushi tasted good last night until this morning, when I started to feel awful with Stomach flue... Wash you hands Ichiban people !!!!
(1)
Breanne T.
I like Ichiban because it's further down Garnet, away from the craziness of the bars. I came here with a few friends for dinner and to catch up so it was the perfect spot. If we wanted to get crazy with sake bombs though, I think a different sushi place on Garnet would be better for that. The best thing about Ichiban PB is CHEAP. For less than 10 bucks, I got the mixed sushi combo which came with 4 pieces of CA roll, 4 pieces of spicy tuna, and 6 pieces of nigiri, plus edamame and miso soup. Some of the nigiri pieces tasted a little fishy and I could tell it wasn't fresh. But I guess you get what you pay for! You definitely get decent sushi and a good amount for your money!
(3)
Richard C.
Previously reviewed this place but quality seems to have slipped...sushi happy hour is great deal but fish was not fresh...much better places for sushi despite discount prices...bento box still great deal along with happy hour beer prices at $3 for large Saporro! Service mixed, not very attentive staff. Stay with specials but go elsewhere for sushi...they need different fish vendor for sure...
(3)
Ryan B.
Low. Quality. This sushi has the art and flavor of a Big Mac, and I think I would rather have the Big Mac. The quality of the ingredients is just not there. The fish did not taste fresh and one of our dishes came out on a soggy plate of torn lettuce. This could be the worst sushi I have ever eaten. The wait staff was friendly, but the lady at the counter is painfully slow. I question the standards of the 4-star reviewers.
(2)
Amanda W.
Great food and great service. Sometimes can be a little crowded, but overall a wonderful little hole in the wall sushi place.
(4)
Asianboi T.
Really yummy place not expensive to eat sushi or bento boxes my favorite are the rolls and chicken katsu and etc. I recommend lion roll and Diego roll my favorite is crunchy roll and Baja roll and etc The bentos box are yummy like teriyaki and chicken box
(5)
Mark V.
We were surprised by the great reviews of this place. The service was acceptable but the food itself was a let down. The lion king roll wasn't deep fried properly and the tempura had a dough-like texture. The nigiri was mediocre at best as the freshness wasn't there, at all (tasted like it was a day old). I ordered miso soup as well, which you'd fine comparable to the miso packets you buy at Von's...The Asahi wasn't chilled to an acceptable temp but I'm being nit picky at this point. I don't recommend this spot unless you're looking for a drunk meal in the middle of the night. I'm sure the food tastes phenomenal then.
(2)
Taimane U.
I came here with high expectations and I got some really bad udon and an on fried shrimp roll. My udon tasted like they put water in a broiler with some vegetables and som shrimp tempura and they just dumped a packet to make it taste like beef broth when it was just blah. The staff was nice but the sushi was ok but definitely not fresh and also on the udon the noodles had no taste at all.
(2)
Amber C.
I'm a regular to this and the Niban location on Clairemont, it's my favorite sushi place in SD. The albacore supreme is the bomb! Expect a little bit of a wait during prime hours though, this place is popular.
(5)
Sandra G.
I like this place. They're alright. Decent/Ok sushi. Awesome price. Quick service. Friendly service.
(5)
Bob W.
Been coming here since the early to mid 1990's and I still don't know why . Maybe because I hope that it will be better this next time, maybe cause it's nostalgic, maybe because its familiar, maybe because its one of the few options out there for lunch. Another thing that is familiar is what it does to me the day after I have their Teriyaki Chicken combo specials. I usually get the quick trips to the bano. It's been this way for the past 15 years or so. Because of this I only go here every other year or so but now I'm still reeling two days later after my last trip. This one is severe.be I'm giving them two star cause the food is just meh, and I can't prove or pinpoint that this last visit in mid Dec 2014 was what gave me this stomach bug/food poisoning. It is winter so it could just be a stomach flu bug, but because of past experiences, I'm raising my eye brows. Every time I go here I'm suspect on the possibility there's cross contamination occurring with their food practices and their temps. I once sat at their sushi bar in the past and noticed that the thermometer reading was quite high, I passed it off as it being dinner rush. So for the food, it's barely two stars. The teriyaki chicken and sauce is the same as it was in the 1990's, lacking any real depth, all dark pieces without any breast, uncooked mushrooms and watery zucchini. Glass noodles, California roll, iceburg lettuce with a poor ginger dressing, and a cold (coolish) surprise. The surprise this day was intimation crab with some small pieces of octopus in a salad style form. Hate to say it I'm suspect of it all. I consider this my community and I want this place to step up. I know you know your business and what pricing/quality works for you, but with that, I hope you continually train your employees on food safety and temp safety. PB resident.
(2)
Jordan K.
I'm a big fan of ichiban... I'm writing this as I'm sitting at the bar with my phone in one hand and $17 worth of amazing sushi, miso soup, cucumber salad, some sake and a sapporo. That's right my friends (all 4 of you that I have on here) it cost me $17 for all this. Paradise roll is bomb, and everything else I've had here is as well. I've been coming here since if was 14.. I'm 24 and it's still just as great. The staff is always super friendly and this is by far the fastest service I've ever had from a sushi place. So I may be getting some Fukushima radiation as we speak.. so 10 more years down the line I may not be so stoked on seafood but for now... I highly, highly recommend Ichiban :-)
(5)
Angela P.
I've been coming here for almost 10 years. There are not enough words to express how much I love ichiban. This place is my go to sushi spot above everyone else in San Diego. I love the shrimp crunch roll, their chicken teriyaki, miso soup, and I get so excited for their monthly specials. They also I have adorable $2 coupons they give away with every purchase during December. No sushi place will ever make me as happy and feel at home like ichiban.
(5)
henry m.
Think Sushi diner: cheap, unpretentious, almost decent quality. You get what you pay for here. That is the quick and dirty. Now for the detail for you aficionados out there. Maguro sashimi: fresh decent yellowfin decent sized cuts. Nigiri was not secured properly and the rice was a little loose. You can easily get breaks from a regular grab with the sticks (yes, I know nigiri is supposed to be eaten with hands traditionally). The nigiri also did not pass the seasoning test when checking under the fish. For those of you unfamiliar with this test, all nigiri should have a smidgen of wasabi on the rice directly under the fish. Hamachi could have been better quality but like I said, middle of the road but not bad. katsu was perfectly cooked but not amazing and the shumai was on the small side. This place is great for a quickie lunch break on the cheap and take it for what it is. If you want higher quality and an amazing sushi experience this is not the place for you.
(3)
Marisa P.
Loved this place while on vacay! The fish was super super fresh, which is what I had been hoping for so close to the coast. The rolls were very affordable, and for soup, beer and sushi this was the perfect place to just relax and enjoy a good meal. Every roll I tried was delicious, and even though I was full I would keep eating because it was that good. The staff was always nice, and the tables were comfy too. The way the tables are sectioned off it would be a good place for a larger group, and the volume level is perfect for daytime dining with kids also.
(5)
Jermaine J.
Great sushi for a very affordable price!!!! Try the Lion King Roll.
(5)
Selene E.
This is my favorite sushi place, to be honest. I always order the Dragon Roll and the Fried shrimp roll, which are both extremely good with the spicy mayo! I do have to say that one time I was eating in here I was loving my Dragon Roll until i felt something sharp in my mouth and when I spit it out it was the eel skin and I swear I could feel the scales on the roof of my mouth! It was incredibly scary and I stopped eating the dragon roll because it grossed me out and had cut the roof of my mouth. But anyway, that was only one time. I'm still coming here for all the other sushi, which is seriously to die for.
(4)
Becky S.
Ichiban PB is where I go when I want affordable sushi that still tastes great. Though it may not be the best in PB, its reasonable prices and variety of Japanese foods along with the sushi make this a destination of my friends and I. They have great happy hour specials and fill their rolls up with lots of fresh fish!
(4)
Mira C.
we ordered the orange bloom , caterpillar, and lion king. it was all so yummy. the price wasn't too bad but the portions were bigger than other places. all the rolls we ordered had 10 pieces vs the normal 8 pieces at other places.. the only thing was that the wasabi was NOT spicy at all...and I love wasabi with my sushi. food was very quick but you order food and pay at the counter first.
(4)
Andrea P.
I've eaten A LOT of sushi. Good not great. Food came out quickly and service was just so-so... depending on what you're looking for this place may disappoint. Don't count on service or ambiance; however, if you're into fast and reasonably priced have at it!
(3)
Rosellen W.
After walking past this small storefront restaurant on restaurant-crowded Pacific for several months, we stopped in for an excellent lunch. Prices are right, food is fresh, tasty, and nicely presented, service at the counter is friendly. Definitely worth stopping at this one!
(4)
Wendi H.
Can't say I would recommend this place. ... You order and pay before sitting down kinda weird. ... Lots of traffic in and out but if you like sushi I have to say you get what you pay for its cheap and low quality fish. I ordered sashimi and it was very fishy smelling for tuna, salmon and yellowtail. I ordered a combo rice *cold edamame *old salad * some weird crab salad loaded with mayo and sashimi I couldn't finish. Sad this place had such good reviews I love sushi but I won't be back
(2)
Stephanie P.
Garnet st is loaded with sushi places, so we turned to yelp for help! Ichiban is super casual and you order at the counter and then find a table. We got a sashimi platter which came with 3 types of fish, rice, miso, and crab salad. We also ordered a seaweed salad which was a good size and of course kirin light & sake. The sashimi tasted fresh and was a great value with the "extras" that came with it. Clean bathrooms and good service too.
(4)
Amelia F.
Love Ichiban. Cheap (especially cheap beer !!!) and tasty! Great service. This is a go to place for sushi in pb that's casual and you get a good bang for your buck.
(4)
Christian M.
Finally found my new spot in PB! Sushi in PB sucks... But not here!! It's affordable and a great value. Part of the reason it can be affordable is that you order at the counter and are brought the food, so there were less employees working. SO STOKED
(5)
Hannah F.
I am obsessed with this sushi. The fish is fresh. The service is friendly. The rolls are creative. YUM
(4)
Jennifer R.
Im used to service at my table at the sushi spots that I go to but at this one you order before you sit down. When I went the line was almost out the door so I knew it must be a great spot to try. The only slightly disappointing thing was their pitchers of beer, they look huge but then when we actually got it we noticed there was a big cooler in the middle I guess to keep it cold. Besides that its a great place to check out.
(4)
Travis B.
per yelp, this was a great option for sushi. and yes it was. i was expecting a little more formality, even coming from scottsdale where the norm is flip flops even at 5 star restaurants. but you order from the counter and they bring out the food. we ordered a sashimi platter with 3 types of fish. the fish was fresh and tasted like sashimi should...cool, soft, buttery. the crab salad side and miso soup side were nice add-on's. we also ordered a seaweed salad and they do not play. it was huge...we were glad we didn't order more sushi! nice prices and staff, clean, good sashimi.
(4)
Mary S.
Went on a Tuesday night, menu is on the counter, you order, pay, & then sit down. Service was decent; menu was personally not impressive, basic rolls, & nigiri is only one piece per order. Fish was excellent!
(3)
Ian L.
For diners that want to buy their sushi by the pound. Cheap but edible.
(3)
Diana A.
If you want cheap, fast sushi this place is the place for you. You def can't ask for anything off the menu here. I did and he just redirected me to special menu. If you like the sushi chef to surprise you...it's not here...I'm thinking the chefs aren't allowed to stray from the menu. Anyway, sushi is ok, cheap. So you get what you pay for. If I was in a pinch, i would return. I'm also not a big fan of pacific beach.
(3)
Justine M.
Here are 4 reasons why I love Ichiban, and you should too: 1. It's super ridiculously cheap. Compared to the inflated prices of the likes of PB sushi, this place is a godsend. 2. It's super ridiculously DELICIOUS! Their fish is always fresh and they have an amazing variety of rolls to choose from 3. HAPPY HOUR...You will leave this establishment full, drunk and happy...while spending very few of your precious dollars 4. The staff: super friendly, attentive and able to make suggestions when you're stuck between seaweed salad or miso soup Came in to this restaurant by accident and have been returning ever since
(4)
Karen L.
There are so many sushi restaurants on Garnet, but everything about Ichiban just feels like home to me. The overly enthusiastic Japanese woman at the counter is always happy to see you, the food is fresh, fast, and unpretentious, and the pitchers of beer are cheap, especially when there are happy hour specials. What more can a girl ask for from a casual neighborhood sushi place? (Especially now that they are open on Sundays too? Perfection!) The sushi here may not be the most authentic and the restaurant may not be the most hip, but Ichiban is an affordable and consistently reliable place for a good meal. I love that there is a dedicated vegetarian section of the menu in addition to a few creative veggie-friendly rolls. My favorite thing to order is definitely the seaweed salad - it is HUGE for the price and always delicious. I also love the brown rice here. There are new specials every month and you can ask for hot green tea as a beverage option, for free! You order at the counter and seat yourself - sometimes it can be difficult to find a free table before 7 pm when happy hour is still going on, but things always manage to sort themselves out before the food starts coming out.
(4)
Tyler P.
If you're looking to get a cheaper round of sushi this spot is a good choice. It's still good fish but at a lower cost. You order ahead of time which is a little unconventional but it's no different than ordering from a waiter. No complaints here.
(4)
Bianca V.
This I one of my favorite local places. The food is all good and is all reasonably priced. I've never had a bad meal in the last 18 years I have been coming here. Bothy the sushi and the Japanese food is excellent.
(5)
Nikki L.
Pros: Cheap, delicious sushi, quick service. Cons: Small place, long lines a lot, no menus to look at other than the one at the counter so you can't look at menus while you wait in line.
(4)
Kathryn F.
This place is a deal. It's not world class sushi but at this price point you will not find higher quality sushi in PB. And happy hour is awesome. Thanks for an awesome deal Ichiban!
(4)
Ben F.
This place is probably my most frequent sushi joint in town. The price is amazing, service is quick, parking is frustrating because it's PB (so whatever...) and it is self seating. Nevertheless, the quality of food is really quite good - a unexpected pleasantry for this type of restaurant model. Go! Eat! Love!
(4)
Yvonne N.
TWO rolls for $12?! Unbelievable! Definitely not your fine dining type of experience and not the best sushi of all time, but definitely A-OK for the prices they charge. The workers and cashier was incredibly friendly. I was debating whether to give 3 or 4 stars because I was disappointed in my selection of sushi..but I decided to give 4 because they were so awfully nice. That and they provide complimentary fruit candies at the front counter =) Apparently Ichiban and Niban are owned by the same people? So the menu looked pretty similar. I decided not to order what I ordered at Niban (which I've all enjoyed) so I decided on Spicy Albacore Roll ($4.50) and Dynamite Roll ($7). Cheap, right?! But they've ended up on my "Not Recommended" list =( The Spicy Albacore had cooked and raw fish and I didn't enjoy the cooked fish. I wasn't a fan of the carrot, either. Not enough sprouts. The dynamite roll was lacking flavor. I like spicy but whatever they used to make it spicy overpowered the dynamite sauce. There was shrimp and scallop and the shrimp was flavorless and the actual roll underneath the baked sauce came apart. Not good. Recommended: LION KING ROLL! Cream cheese, jalapenos, DEEP FRIED?! Drools.. BAJA ROLL Not Recommended: Spicy Albacore Roll Dynamite Roll However, I'll definitely be back to try their other rolls and items! Lunch bento is only $5!! I tried my friend's teriyaki chicken, which had mushrooms! The teriyaki sauce was really strong but tasted really good. Great variety, cheap prices, friendly service. Love it!
(4)
Joanna S.
My go - to place for Japanese food. Service can be slow sometimes but u forget about it once that first bite! Yummmm!
(5)
Stevie S.
Great Service and very fresh food! Staff is great, and they have the best hand-rolls in town!
(5)
Irina R.
I really like this place! I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and I am hooked. The prices are reasonable, the sushi is fresh. The only thing I really dislike about this place is that you have to get up and go to the counter to order. They don't come to your table, which I thought was strange for a sushi spot (I guess its more like a deli-type ordering process). Also, they have great happy hour deals. Its not the BEST sushi, but its definitely worth the price.
(4)
Eric R.
They never have oyster shooters available and when they do it doesn't look like it even has oyster in it, looks like they put soy sauce in it instead of sake. Taste like I'm drinking straight soy sauce (yuck). Service is friendly but slow. Definitely down graded from the last time I came.
(1)
Shelly M.
This is the best place in SD to get sushi! I have been coming to Ichiban with family and friends for over 14 years! They have excellent service, great and fresh food and the prices are amazing!!!
(5)
A G.
I had heard about Ichiban through a co-worker. It was a unique experience you order your food at the front desk and then seat yourself after. I had high hopes and I was not let down. I ordered the special which was a spicy chicken teriyaki bowl. It's proportions were fair, the chicken was nice and tender, and the sauce was good and not overpowering. I also ordered the dynamite roll. I've had a similar item in the past and this was amazing the fact that there was cooked salmon along with the lobster really helped improve the dish. Also the price is a steal for this roll. I also had a piece of tuna, salmon, & shrimp sushi. It was nice, probably some of the better sushi I've had. I will be sure to come back soon. The prices are fair. They get 5 stars. Visit: 2/17/14 Reviewed: 2/18/14
(5)
Kristen S.
Ichiban is awesome because: Top 10 Reasons 1.Super super friendly staff that always remember us. 2. Really good and inexpensive sashimi and nigiri. 3. Really good happy hour. 4. Monthly specials are awesome. 5. Good prices on sake and beer. 6. Good location. 7. Really good miso soup. 8. Garlic edamame 9. Spicy baked california roll...yum! 10. You order before you eat, so you can leave when you are done. No waiting necessary. The only complaint that I have is that I have yet to find a specialty roll that I really love and is really healthy. I'm pretty picky when it comes to sushi. I don't always want my sushi covered in spicy creamy sauce...no matter how delicious it is.
(5)
Kris A.
One of my favorite places in PB for years. Great sushi prices, especially for happy hour before 7 PM. The pork Katsu curry keeps me coming back. Not fancy but great food at very reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
(4)
Warren C.
The worst part about Ichiban is that they make you order your food at the counter before you get seated. I think it's both silly and rushed, but that's just how it is here. It's comparatively cheap compared to other sushi places, even for PB. I like the seaweed salad a lot here. I tend to avoid items with cream cheese and make no exception for that rule at Ichiban. Parking is on the street.
(3)
Erik K.
My go to sushi place in San Diego. No better sushi per $. At happy hour (until 7), their sushi deals are even more outrageous. They put serious work into their rolls. Go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Lana R.
Niban and Ichiban are the places where I normally go to eat sushi. Both are conveniently located. Very satisfying positive quality/price ratio :) With that said, do not bring your first date here: it is not a very appealing place. Other than that, it is good and friendly to my taste.
(4)
Jenn C.
I had the July special which was chicken Katsu curry and a side of salad for $6.25. It was cheap, huge, and delicious. Fiance got two sushi rolls...I forget which ones, since I've been eating a lot of sushi lately and it is all starting to blend in. I think maybe it was spicy tuna and albacore. They were both really good. This place is pretty awesome. Really good bang for your buck.
(4)
Jessie B.
Good sushi, reasonably priced. It works great for a group dinner because you pay prior to eating so there is no splitting the bill.
(4)
Billie V.
Went here this week and the consensus was: Cheap, sloppy sushi that wasn't horrible but wasn't good either. We don't regret coming here but we won't be back anytime soon. For where it's at and what it is, you get what you pay for. Worth it for the college kid on a budget but for the rest of us, keep to other sushi places.
(3)
Rico S.
Fresh fish Freshish crab. Solid Happy Hour with Sake for $2.50. Ordering at the counter combined with table service seems odd. Makes one reluctant to order anymore. Not much of an atmosphere but decent value for the price. Two people can dine for under $30. And so I did.
(4)
Kelly E.
While it may not be a 5 star 'as good as it gets', I certainly am a fan for the last 13 years. The daily specials are always good and the prices are amazing~ Last night, I fed my friend, myself and her two girls for $36 including tax and tip! I had a $2 coupon/bucks from eating there the night before, and we got a TJ roll, a Paradise Roll, a Crunchy roll, a California Special roll and Chicken Teriyaki. Needless to say we were all stuffed! My go to place if they are open... Oh ya, hours are limited, no Mondays and no Afternoons~
(4)
Serena P.
I come here a lot with my coworker for lunch. You walk in order, pay, sit down, and get your grub on. The sushi is decent for what you pay for. The service is quick, our food usually comes out in 10 mins or less. Good service is a hit or miss but that's ok with me because walking in to the place you know you're not going to be catered to. On that note, if you need extra stuff (ie. lemons, extra raddish, etc) ask the waitress when she brings out your drinks because she'll have it for you when the food comes out. They always have some sort of special going on so, check the white board on the wall behind the counter and by the huge menu they have posted up when you walk in. Also, during lunch try to know what you're going to order before you get to the register because they get extremely busy and the line sometimes goes out the door.
(3)
Chris J.
I come here with my dad once a week for our lunch break. We always order the special teriyaki bento box or any of the specials that they have out in front. They're always delicious and the price is good for what it's worth! It's the one of the best sushi places in San Diego. The service is great too! Always friendly and consistent.
(4)
Jack B.
ICHIBAN is just a great place! My friends and I usually come once or twice a week! It's our regular place to get good dinner for a very good price. It's not 5 star quality sushi, but a great find for a tasty bento box or curry bowl. I would definitely recommend it!
(5)
Sean F.
Best sushi in town for the price. Their happy hour has the best deals and their service is solid. Food is made fast and fresh and the bill is always a fair price.
(5)
Natalya C.
If you are in PB area and in the mood for cheap sushi and good deal on sake then Ichiban is your place. Their happy hour is from 5-7 where you can get decent sushi rolls for $6-8 bucks with $2 bucks for a large sake. The cup of green tea is free. Not bad ! Sushi rolls are pretty large and you will be full for sure. Service is OK, the atmosphere is simple.. not much too it. They got a few large round booths that can fit 8 people or so.
(3)
Jacquelyn W.
Whether you're craving fresh sushi rolls, Sashimi, or a traditional Japanese hot meal, Ichiban earns the top reward for authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine in San Diego. For the past 2 decades, Ichiban has been serving up consistently great, hearty meals for incredibly reasonable prices. No kidding -- I've been coming here almost every week since I was a newborn, and I always leave perfectly satisfied, full, and happy! While I come for the traditional hot Japanese meals, Ichiban's 10-piece sushi rolls and Sashimi deserve high praise. Take the Rainbow roll, for example, beautifully handcrafted with tons of fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp, and avocado, or the Dragonroll -- an amazing spectacle to see and a greater surprise for your taste buds! At around $5 - $8 a roll (depending on the daily specials), these delicious rolls give other sushi restaurants a run for their money, in both price and quality! Now here comes my favorite part: - Hot Chicken Sukiyaki (a delicious rice bowl filled with tender chicken, mung bean noodles, ginger, broccoli, and tofu) - Ginger Chicken Bento box (full of flavorful gingery chicken, rice, egg rolls, and salad), - Chicken or Pork Curry Katsu (an enormous serving of Japanese curry atop a bed of steaming rice, accompanied by a crispy, juicy chicken or pork cutlet), - Stamina Noodles - a hearty portion of Udon noodles in hot broth, along with shrimp tempura, vegetables, chicken, and fish, - Chicken Teriyaki - savory, flavorful teriyaki chicken, accompanied by rice, salad, and egg rolls or sushi And just to make it even better, all these dishes come with a refreshing Miso salad and Miso soup. At only $5.95 - 7.95 per order, I can't believe you're not already running to place your order! Ichiban is definitely in my top 3 favorite restaurant lists. Its trendy setting, clean atmosphere, warm service, and hearty food will definitely put a smile on your face!
(5)
Devin B.
Ichiban is our goto Sushi spot. Best handrolls around. Also the best philly role in SD. It is open until 10pm and they will serve you even if you walk in at 10pm. The staff is friendly. The value is unbeatable. Really, what's not to like. p.s. the calamari appetizer is great!
(5)
Tyler S.
The go to sushi place in PB. It's reasonable prices, fresh sushi and quick service. All of the sushi is great but try the stamina noodle soup! It's a piping hot bowl of tons of yummy stuff including wonton, shrimp, breaded fish, pork dumpling, perfectly cooked udon and other some other good stuff. It's really filling and perfect for a cold day.
(4)
Isabella N.
Ichiban is AMAZING! Super cheap prices, delicious food, and great service. You order upon coming in, so it's a little different than most sushi places but unless you feel like you need a waiter to take your order, you shouldn't mind! The food always comes out quickly and the servers are very attentive about if you need refills, etc. If you order to go, they are really on time. Once at 9:45 pm my boyfriend and I had a sushi craving and called them up to see if it was too late to place an order. Even though I said we wouldn't be able to make it there until 10:10 pm (a little after they closed) the lady was super friendly and said it was no problem. This is my favorite place to go for sushi in San Diego and the prices are really great for students or anyone who would like an inexpensive sushi dinner!
(5)
Sarah P.
Usually pretty crowded, so that's always a good sign, especially at a sushi restaurant. GET: -Any of their specialty rolls, especially Tijuana or any rolls with jalapeno or ones that are baked! -Yellowtail is superb here -Gyoza! All of the fish I have had has been very fresh and their portions are VERY generous. Service is fair, salads are meh, small interior, and their "bottles" of wine are like mini half bottles (I learned this the hard way :( ) but all-in-all worth the crowd/wait, great prices!
(4)
Mike B.
Prices are good Happy hour is good and the Food is great! the only reason this rating isn't higher is because the service is complete shit. our caterpillar roll was still partially wrapped in some awesome plastic that I got to remove from my mouth, and the beer mug they gave me had lip marks on it and was obviously not cleaned. both of these are not too big a deal, but when I brought the issue to their attention they gave me a new cup and put my sushi in a to-go box, wtf?
(3)
Kimmy Y.
I love sashimi. The all sort sashimi mix is definitely worth it. So much food for a great price. Theres rice and soup and salad and SASHIMI. Friends and I got a couple of pitchers. Great prices during happy hour as well. I will DEFF be back. :)
(4)
Katerina J.
Very reasonable prices, fast service, great happy hour. Sushi are always of a good quality.
(4)
T N.
This is all I used to eat in a world when money was super tight and my sushi taste palate was poor. Atmosphere: Small, casual, inviting. Either order takeout by phone or order at the counter and try to find an open table (12 tables probably). Draws in the usual PB college folks that live in the area. Food: Good eats for its price. Udon, fried gyoza and chicken teriyaki are good. The fried yellowtail rolls, baja rolls, baked lobster and calamari are my fave. The sashimi itself is bleh -- I don't suggest ordering it. The cali and spicy tuna rolls are good, too. Price: Again, nothing spectacular but great for its price. Service: I believe I've only seen one Japanese man and several other races of men making the rolls. They're all quite friendly including the waitresses. These waitresses serve you the food if you order dine in at the counter, and come refill your water. You still order at the counter. Good luck ordering over the phone if you have special requests. There's a grumpy Asian woman that gets impatient; she's usually always behind the counter. I now come here when I'm in the P.B. area and crave cheap sushi. I believe they're closed on Sundays, between lunch and dinner, and close early at 9pm.
(3)
Lacy D.
Not too shabby. I like how you order before you sit down and there are pictures of all of the rolls and specials. Definitely fair prices ($6.75 for 2 roll special, $3.25 for a seaweed salad special), good portions, and overall tasty. The customer service was great, too. I'll be going back for sure. Actually, I think their Dragon Roll may have been the best I've ever had or at the very least in the top 3.
(4)
Jazzelle B.
I was visiting San Diego for the weekend. I love the city. My husband and I were looking for a place to have dinner and this came up on yelp. We loved it, will be back next time we visit. Which I hope is soon. =)
(4)
Michelle W.
They had reasonable prices the food was decent, I never had sushi before and was not sure If i wanted to try raw fish yet so I had the veggie roll for starters it was okay. I really liked the veggie tempura and the salad. I also tried the fried shrimp and chicken teriyaki that my boyfriend had, it was good. I Will come back again.
(4)
Pippa B.
This is my and my husband's go to place for fresh and inexpensive sushi. Although the parking can be close to impossible depending on the time of day and day of the week, it's well worth it. I love their daily specials and service is ok. Sometimes the servers don't give you extra plates when they give you your sushi order, you have to ask for it. Since the place is small, it annoys me to hear some of the staff speaking Spanish while I'm eating Japanese food. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.Great food, great prices, but ambience can be improved a bit in that area I mentioned.
(4)
Karcha B.
One of the better value sushi's in the area. If your like me and don't want to shell out tons of cash for a meal but still want to eat sushi, this is the best to go to in PB. I've only gotten take out. I believe they have "happy hour" specials if you dine in. The staff is really great as well. Very friendly. It may not be the best quality, but is still really good. Oh yeah, when you walk in you could see there monthly special for the month, which is an added bonus. And I'm very appreciative they take all 4 major credit cards (including Amex)
(4)
Suzie C.
If quantity and price are your concern, than this is the place for you. I will never return, I could not even rip through with my teeth some of the sushi. It was disgusting!!!
(1)
Anna C.
Keeping in mind that this is a cheap sushi place, I don't really expect great quality fish... but it really shouldn't have been that mushy. =(
(2)
Princeton J.
Yeah for this place!!!! This is my second time here and I ended up being super stoked.... I did not eat in there, I did take out!! I called about thirty minutes in advance to pick up. The lady answering the phone has a heavy accent but... its all good.. she understands you, it is just hard to understand her.....but she is SUPER NICE.... okay so, if you don't have a menu, go on line, of course, but search Ichiban sushi menu pacific beach and under something like menunista they have the whole menu listed.... Its not like top of the line sushi, but it is good and very flavorful and doesn't send a chopstick right through your wallet... HAAAAAAAAAA HERE ARE MY FAVORITE DISHES.... grilled spicy California tuna roll (spicy) TJ roll (spicy sauce and yummy) seaweed salad... green and yummy soft shell crab roll chicken katsu dinner tempura vegetable Coolness... I hope you like because I am a lifer at this joint... I can't comment on the service because I never dine in, I opt for the beach blanket on the sand watch the sunset and eat my sushi kind of atmosphere instead!!!!!
This place is a 'to-go' sushi joint with competitive pricing. Although the prices on the online menu aren't updated and I noticed they were raised when I went in the other night. The spicy mayo here is onolicious! I am a fan of the spicy albacore roll, especially when it's less then $5 for 8 pieces!! As for apps the monkey paws are delish! Service is always outstanding and the girls that work here are very friendly!
(4)
Sasha U.
Visit this location and the one in Clairemont pretty frequently. They have a rotating set of specials usually a dollar or two off menu price and a couple special sushi plates every month. I'm a fan of the Oyako Don, grilled chicken egg on a bed of rice which comes with miso soup and salad. Don't forget, free hot tea with your order!
(4)
Wen L.
It's a decent place for PB sushi, nothing to wave about! Good lunch deals, but nothing exceptional..
(3)
JiorDahno M.
one of my favorite casual sushi places in SD! been here countless times, often with my roomate when we were hungry and tired of grilling steaks. Ill review based of my latetst venture there. me and two friends decided to get sushi before a night at the bars and I brought us here. 4 rolls, and a hot sake for 33$?? thats the begining of a great nite. The TJ roll is my absolute favorite, if you like spicy then this is your roll. The baked philadelphia roll is a mess to eat but great as well. cheap sushi but the quality is solid, service is fast, and your down the street from the bars.
(4)
Jennifer C.
Small hole in the wall joint the gang and I found to eat our last dinner before we headed back home. Glad we found this place...by this time in our trip we were all running low on funds and were looking for a yummy, yet affordable spot to eat. I saw this place on Yelp..they had great reviews and noticed they have happy hour too so I had to check it out!! I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for being reliable Yelp squad! They had such reasonable prices and food tasted so good. I got a huge udon bowl for $5.95 only!! Couldn't even finish it all. I wasn't feeling well so I stuck with a hot soup. The rest of the gang ordered some sushi but no one paid more than $10-12 and we were all happy and full :) The staff was super friendly, too. I think we were a minute past the happy hour time but she still gave us the HH price :) Thank you for that! Street parking. Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Rachel C.
Have come in a couple times on the weekend. We didn't hit the happy hours so the rolls were about $6.50-$10. The rolls weren't made well and we're falling apart, but the fish seemed fresh and the sashimi was ok. Bummer that you have to order and pay before you sit down, when you are meeting friends this causes food to come out differently. Also getting back in line for another pitcher or drink was lame. Not my favorite in PB, but not bad either. They have tables that can accommodate large groups if you get there at the right time.
(3)
Grace Z.
The great thing about this place is that the portion sizes of the food are so big. I recommend coming on an empty stomach. The quality of the food was decent. I think that because the portions are so big- it lacked a bit in the flavor/ freshness of the food in general. The one down side is that they make you order before you sit - this caused some confusion with food since it came out at different times. When we wanted to order another item, we had to wait in line again. The atmosphere of the restaurant was chill since they have comfy sofas and you get to pick where you sit. The actual location is perfect for PB hangouts.
(3)
Flippy A.
If you have any palette at all, avoid this place at all costs. They can't even make a spicy tuna roll. That's sushi 101, my friend. The most disgusting piss pot sushi I've ever had. Someone once told me this is a PB favorite. It just confirms the fact that the people of pacific beach are just a bunch of shaved apes masquerading as humans. Go to Mister Sushi instead, a few doors down. Tell 'em Flippy Amberson sent you.
(1)
John D.
This place is on garnet ave so parking at be a pain. The place was empty today but typical busy. The severs were very nice. The sushi is by far not the best in San diego. It reminds me of grocery store sushi in all honest... Actually i have better sushi from grocery stories. I will say the previous times i had the sashami was good... I not sure if i would go back hear for sushi..... For the price of what I ordered, I can get much better sushi.. Maybe it was an off day for them.
(2)
Garrick O.
Mmmmm..... Good Sushi is pretty good for how cheap it is and great when you have a group because you order and pay before you sit down, so no check showing up and trying to figure out who did not put enough in the pot. They have a really gret special every month this month was BOGO on the appetizers. I got the Sashimi salad which was really good it was actually seared slices of ahi on top rather than just raw sashimi but was very good. I will be frequenting this spot more often the price is right to satisfy your sushi needs with out breaking the bank dinner for two is easily done for 20 bucks Since this place is so cheap don't expect to get the premium quality fish it is frozen fish and thawed, but still very good and they have some really great rolls.
(4)
Jessica T.
This sushi joint is the best in town. The prices are wonderful, and the food is divine. However, it's pretty crowded there, and very hard to find parking.
(4)
Tien N.
A sushi snob might discount this place as being inferior just by looking at the prices on the prices, and perhaps it may be due to the low expectations that I had coming in here, but this place is at least as good as other sushi places costing at least 28.13% more. $15 for two people was more than enough to keep me full and satisfied--and this is coming from someone who had 50+ pieces of sushi spread over 2 rounds less than 30 minutes apart: youtube.com/watch?v=4pNJ…
(5)
Laura C.
This place is amazing! Their sushi is so fresh and affordable! It has unique flavors that are very tasty. The best rolls, in my opinion are: orange blossom (if you like fresh, raw fish), baja roll (unique flavors with cilantro) and Spicy grilled yellow tail (warm roll).
(5)
Carolyn K.
My friend and I always stop by Ichiban after a shopping trip to Buffalo Exchange (: They have wonderful specials that satisfy our sushi cravings without hurting the wallet too much. Also, when you get their sushi to go, they give you a small cup of edamame and another cup of miso soup (without the hot water). Such sweet service!
(4)
Liz R.
Instantaneous service and awesome sushi. The place is small and low key but don't let that fool you. There are so many sushi places on Garnet Ave. we definitely made the right choice with this place!
(5)
Cynthia A.
This place is cute! I didn't like sushi until I came here. Their variety is great. I die for their DRAGON ROLL. If I want dragon roll, I will seriously come across town just to have it here. I also love that it's got the super-size table by the front which is awesome when you want to eat with a large group of people. Not as cheap as Hillcrest Ichiban, but definitely more attractive. Best in PB!
(4)
david s.
The sushi was MEH.. nothing special to write home about.. the service was Bland and non-existent, No water refills or check ups... needless to say i didnt leave a tip, but i felt hungry an hour later due to the fact that the sushi didnt fill me up..
(3)
Sunny W.
Its near the beach (touristy) + very cheap for sushi = mediocre food Not worth your time if you want good quality sushi.
(2)
Scott U.
Ichiban, if you know it, delivers you exactly what is should for what it is. It's cheap, the service is lightning fast and the food is good. I'm not sure I would go here for a top-drawer sushi experience, but I go to Ichiban for their Bento boxes or other specials and when I want a quick casual bite to eat. There is always a good energy in the place.
(4)
Rob D.
Ichiban offers okay, sloppy sushi... but the prices are incredibly low, you get more than you pay for, and its incredibly fast. You walk up to the counter, order, and your food gets delivered to you 5 minutes later. The food all tasted great, but the sushi rolls are made in advanced, and their soups had everything but the kitchen sink in them... not something that is necessarily bad, but some of the flavor combos were odd. For 6.95 you get 10 pieces of exotic rolls... but keep in mind, the fish quality isn't perfect, and the mayo overload is a bit over the top. But still, the flavors are good, and you get a lot of food. All in all though, I'd go back here, it's fun, fast, and cheap... It's a good lunch spot.
(3)
Brad L.
Still love it! Very consistent. Great people
(5)
Christian B.
Very good sushi, one of the best in PB. Eating in is not super cozy but the food is great and can be picked up after a simple phone order. Prices are very good for the amount of food you get.
(4)
Rick S.
In San Diego, there seems to be two main "fast food" Japanese cafes that people talk about. One is Sushi Deli, which now has THREE outlets since the one Downtown first opened. The other is Ichiban PB. Note that Ichiban PB has another outlet called Niban in Clairemont, but Ichiban PB has that "walkup-n-order" deli style cafe with very quick service. Since I used to live in PB in the early 90's, Ichiban PB has standed the test of time and for PB that really is something to say, considering the restaurant turnaround there. It's located on the busiest street in PB, Garnet Avenue and parking is very limited. Be aware that this place is PACKED during lunchtime! Seating is limited and there are long lines at times. But...that wait is well worth it when you try some of the delicious entrees and sushi. You can also order take-out the same way and once again the speed of your order being done is very quick. From a simple and well thoughtout menu, you have your choice of any entree from Chicken Teriyaki w/Fried Seafood to the more authentic "bento box" Japanese meals. The sushi also can range from your authentic maki-style to many different and unique types of rolls. Each combo meal also comes with a free drink. Every day, there are different specials that you can see from the window up front. Estimated cost of entrees is anywhere from $5.75 to $8.50 depending on the combo you order, and from $4.50 to $8.00 for the types of sushi. Sashimi plates are obviously more expensive. If your budget is light, but you're craving good Japanese-style food, I recommend Ichiban PB.
(5)
Oliver A.
Ichiban PB is the place the place that I go too for a awesome affordable lunch. I highly recommend looking in the window for the daily specials. For less than $10 you can get a great lunch. My coworkers and I always go. The staff is always friendly.
(4)
Chris Y.
The price, the fish quality, the service, the cleanliness and the people that come here prove one thing! 5 STARS!!!!!
(5)
Albert W.
"Ichiban" in Japanese means "#1" or "the best", and it really is the best value for sushi in PB. Maybe not "THE BEST" sushi, but hey, you get some pretty good grub for the prices you pay at Ichiban. Our hero arrived to find a line from the counter to the front door. This place is busy on weekend nights! Order at the counter, pay with cash, and hope that there's enough seating for you and your guests during busy hours. While waiting, it's interesting to make small talk with the waitresses wiping down your table. Whether it's the one real Japanese employee working there, or the woman who studies feng shui in her spare time, the waitresses are all very warm and helpful. And... there's a chair in the single-person washroom. Is this for improving the feng shui, or do some patrons just enjoy lounging in the washroom for fun? PROS: - Excellent value for decent sushi - Ridiculously cheap sake during happy hours before 7pm: $1 for small warm sake and $2 for a large warm sake! Now you don't have to pre-drink at home for a PB pub crawl! KANPAI!!! - Very friendly waitresses CONS: - There's too much demand for Ichiban's cheap sushi, leading to a bit of a wait and some lengthy lines
(4)
Christiane D.
I am a huge fan of Ichiban in Pacific Beach. They always have been so incredibly nice and welcoming once you walk in the door. The walk-up and order option gives you the sense of quickness, but does not lack in quality. Everything they make is "made to order" and always warm when it gets to the table. What I really love is they use whole pieces of fish for the hand rolls. Most places use a mash up, but Ichiban strays and brings you the full-fledged fish. They also don't skimp when it comes to portions; they give you what you pay for. Their sashimi plate is the most affordable in the city. They have great prices which makes sushi affordable, good, and quick. If you are looking for beer and sake, their happy hour prices are great, but you got to get there early because a line will grow quick. They also have a happy hour sushi menu and always a monthly special, whether it be a food item or beverage.
(5)
Cicro T.
This restaurant is recommended for ones that not know about Japanese food too much since the price is reasonable. The quality itself is not so good... It may be a good place to try out if you want to have something different than usual.
(1)
Cara C.
This place is alright... Happy hr prices are just right for those who want to fill their tummies on OK sushi. I have to say tho they were definitely chintzy on the meats in our rolls. One roll I had was supposed to have tempura shrimp tho I had a VERY hard time finding it. We also ordered a soft shell crab roll that was really lame. It had the least amount of soft shell crab Ive ever seen in a spider roll. They have also changed the ordering style of the restaurant. It used to be full table service, now you had better know what you want when you walk in (especially if their is a line), as you order first at the counter and then are served at your table.
(2)
Jeff L.
Decent sushi - not the best I've ever had, but decent for PB. Happy hour is inexpensive and very low key. Order and pay at the counter and then sit down and they bring you your food. They did have the MLB playoffs on two TVs and football on another. Can't go wrong with that!
(2)
Brittany B.
Decent cheap sushi and fast service
(4)
Steve S.
Love this place. I work from home and live nearby so I go there about 3 times a week. Very consistent food, huge sushi rolls, at a fair price. Staff is great and always have smiles on their faces. I try all the other PB spots but keep coming back to here.
(5)
Taylor M.
Very good prices and good sushi. I would give 5 stars except the service is not existent. The cashier is usually quite rude and has gotten my order wrong. Nice atmosphere though and the actual waitresses are nice. They just don't do anything once they hand you your food.
(4)
Heidi P.
This place is SO much cheaper than most other sushi places...so I was skeptical of the quality of the food. I was pleasantly surprised--the food was great!
(4)
Chris J.
This place is deff worth going... I love teryiaki and i havent found anything as good as this in San diego.. check it out!
(4)
Vicky N.
The prices are pretty cheap here! My childhood best friend had taken me here before heading out to a concert. It was pretty packed, but the wait wasn't too long. We had ordered two rolls and Chicken Katsu Curry. I heard that a lot of UCSD's students go here to get their sushi fix. Decent.
(4)
Jeff L.
This place provides a solid experience, as long as you go for the right reasons. It's for those times you want sushi, but just don't want to pay $40 and up per head. Me and a buddy will go, split 3 rolls, get a couple of soft drinks, and get out of there for $25 total. They don't have true table service, rather you order at the counter and they bring the food out when it's ready. Some have said to be weary of inexpensive sushi, but the flip side of that argument is that because the prices are cheap, the place is always busy, and the fish moves rapidly. My favorite non-standard item is the spicy grilled yellowtail.
(4)
Daniel N.
Dayum. 50 pieces of sushi for $25?! Hella cheap! This place is really only worth it for happy hour, which, I believe, is between the hours of 5-7pm when they got a list of sushi rolls, 10 pcs each, going from $4.50, some a bit more expensive than others, but you get the drift - this place ain't gonna jive you on no quality sushi, they straight up about being real on quantity over quality and they good at it. You not gonna find melt-in-your mouth, tongue orgasm inducing toro here, but on the flip-side, this place specializes in the most textbook style, bro-ski, kowabunga, hang-10, you're-gonna-definitely-know-you-in-PB type sushi rolls. So bring on the fake crab, deep fried, cream cheese stuffed, philly rolls 'cause I ain't expecting caviar, but I do expect to have a damn good time with friends and get hella stuffed on sushi while leaving with my wallet in good shape. And just a tip - come ASAP! This spot is hip with the rush hour crowd, so it gets packed around 530.
(3)
George F.
All I can say is their half price happy hour till 7 is absoultly the best bargain for the highest quality food around! Half price saki as well!!! The chicken Katsu is to die for!!!
(4)
Heather S.
Out of all the Sushi places there are in San Diego, Ichiban PB is definitely my favorite so far. After you order, the food usually comes pretty fast and it is very affordable! The line to order can get long, but it moves pretty fast. Highly recommended - great food and great price!
(5)
Mark S.
Great sushi for the price. A lot of selections and fast service. Only downside are the hours. Numerous times I've gone mid-afternoon to find them closed. Lunch hours are from 11:30-2:30 and then they re-open for dinner.
(4)
k f.
It sucks that I had a bad experience here. I rarely if ever leave a bad review and they are super nice but I won't be going back due to one bad experience. granted the place is clean and I doubt anyone ever has the same experience as i do, but I was unlucky and have to find another good value sushi spot. sorry ichiban, granted the food was always good over the numerous years i would go there and the health standards always seemed to be met.
(2)
Casey S.
Quality sushi at excellent prices! Ichiban is great. The only downside is the dinner-time line and table wait...which is only 5-10 minutes. Hot food and sushi are both good choices here. The only reason this review is 4/5 is because the service can be spotty. For example, my wife ordered sushi and I ordered teriyaki chicken. The sushi was delivered WAY before the teriyaki, which created that awkward "watching another person eat" situation. Overall, I wouldn't go anywhere else in PB for sushi!
(4)
Joseph R.
I'm a big fan of this Asian inspired restaurant, it's been around in PB for at least 20 years. It's good quality, affordable, and quick - the sushi's good. You really can't go wrong with this place, just a casual place to get a bite to eat...you order up front and they bring the food over, no need for a waiter or waitress. If you're not in to sushi there's usually a chicken teriyaki and rice plate that will fill you up. Today I tried something different, I went for the shrimp/curry plate. When the food came out it was completely covered with curry sauce, SO MUCH SO that I used a tablespoon and removed an entire medium sized salad bowl full of the extra curry suace that I didn't eat. Read that again, there was an entire extra bowl full of curry sauce that was unnecessary on top of my meal. This was bizarre, I asked my friend if he thought anybody had ever mentioned this much curry aside was totally unnecessary. Note to Ichiban staff, please give me less curry sauce next time. Very strange experience, however I'm still a big fan of this place
(4)
Craig H.
Awesome Food! We went there while we were camping. It was my girlfriends birthday and the brought out some complimentary ice cream with a candle. I also left some very important bracelets there, which they sent back to me in the post to LA! Awesome. Thanks very much!!
(5)
Alexandria S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. As a frequent visitor of PB this place always is consistent and has the best deals. Bring the friends for sake bomb happy hour!
(5)
Britney M.
Food was awful. Our edamame was way over cooked, we asked them to take it back and recook it. The chef kept looking at us and laughing after we returned the edamame for the remainder of the time we were dining it was very uncomfortable for us. Very unprofessional and rude, I will never come again chefs are rude and food wasn't good. Terrible experience.
(1)
Dave G.
Not the type place I would take an important client or business partner to. The fish, although usually very good, occasionally is just so-so. For example, If I get a mixed sushi dish with say 7 different fish, 1 may not be that fresh, but the other six are fine. If you are just a roll person though you may not really notice. On the plus side, prices are very good, and the staff is always excellent. I usually go for lunch on weekdays, so it is not too crowded. Also, although there are a bunch of sushi places on Garnet and Mission Blvd, I feel none are worthy of five stars. Go to sushi Ota near the freeway or visit Hillcrest if you want the real deal. It will cost more but its only money right ;)
(4)
Keighley M.
This used to be my go-to beach meal, until I received the WORST sushi I've ever had and they refused to give me any sort of refund. I got a caterpillar role, and found out when I got a bone stuck in my throat (which I had to pick out in the bathroom with my hand, thank god I didn't have to go to the hospital) that the eel was not deboned. Upon further inspection, I found that the eel was FULL of tiny needle bones, as if the sushi chef had made zero attempt to debone it. I've been eating eel for years and have NEVER had this problem. The worst part was, when I told the server that the eel in my roll looked like a cactus and the roll was inedible, she said that eel is bony and that's how it always comes, and they would not give me a refund or any sort of compensation for having to slobber all over my hand for 10 minutes in the bathroom trying to dig a very painful bone out of my throat. So that's a $10-12 meal that was totally ruined (my throat was so sore afterwards and I was so paranoid about the quality of the fish I couldn't eat any of the other roles I was splitting with my friend). The other rolls I've gotten here are ok, not the freshest or best quality, but edible for the low price To summarize: the food quality is mediocre (this refers to other rolls as well) even for the price, the service is TERRIBLE, and the location/ambience/etc. are nothing to write home about. AVOID anything with eel.
(1)
Wanda S.
Out of all the sushi I have eaten in American, Ichiban delivers in FRESHNESS. This place is cheap, delicious, gives generous portions, and has fast service. The owner of this restaurant is Japanese, so its definitely not as spicy as Korean owned sushi restaurant, nor do they minced their sashimi in the sushi.The sushi is stuffed with just fresh pieces of sashimi. I'm deducting a star because of cleanliness. Tip: If there is a long line and you are only with 1-3 people, just skip the line and eat at the bar. The sushi chef usually adds a little extra.
(4)
Niki L.
Meh. I've been going here since I was a kid so it's really not a surprise. Average sushi. Average price. Average Service. Happy hour is usually a good deal. I just don't go here to eat sushi normally. I would rather migrate down the street. They are one of the only places around PB that you can just walk in and order a bowl of udon for $6.50. It's kind of a pain in the ass to drive to Convoy after all, I hate traffic. That's pretty much the only reason I come here. Good news is they don't overcook their noodles.
(3)
Lyndsay M.
This is my favorite Sushi restaurant in PB. I probably eat here about once a week. It's so nice that you can walk up and order before you sit down. This way you don't have to worry about dealing with a waiter. Huge rolls, great prices and yummy food!
(5)
Mateo M.
Tables fill up fast, but it's worth the wait! The food is okay, but the prices are good. The selection is really good for their size as well and the staff is friendly. I like the bento boxes, but their rolls are good and they have nice happy hour specials (5-7pm). They do sell a lot of pitchers of beer. The goods: Cheap, fast and friendly.
(3)
Jessica C.
I always have fun at Ichiban...it has a pretty good atmosphere, the food comes super fast, is way cheap, and they have great specials. However... The quality of sushi is pretty low. The fish isnt exactly fresh. The Unagi is pretty good, as well as the shrimp tempura (pretty much anything that is cooked tastes fine) , but anything raw I wouldn't recommend.
(2)
Devon C.
Talk about inefficiency at its finest! If you come during a rush, (and by rush I mean there are a couple of people in line in front of you), expect to wait about 10 minutes before ordering or even getting a look at the rolls menu. It doesn't make sense; there is a menu board posted near the register and their specials are not visible until you are at the counter ordering. What this means my friends, is that if you get an indecisive asshole in front of you, not only do you have to wait for them to decide, order and pay, you are also stuck to ponder what might be on the menu. *To solve this, all you'd need is to put a menu with the rolls somewhere near where the glass case is that has the specials on display and to perhaps create a second line for "take-out" customers so that they aren't forced to wait forever as well. It seems that they only hire waitresses who cannot speak a lick of understandable English, so just make sure that if ordering over the phone you know EXACTLY what you want, or else you are screwed. Also, don't bother to ask them what their monthly "specials" are over the phone, because this too is something that cannot be relayed over the phone due to the language barrier. The sushi is really good especially for the price. Once you get passed the long line and sit down, your food comes really fast and the waitresses are good about getting your drinks/miso and/or salad. We come here all the time and as far as sushi goes in PB, this is our favorite place to go aside from getting sushi at PB Bar & Grill.
(4)
Elise B.
I have lived in PB for five years and yet to find a better deal for your money than Ichiban. Hands down my absolute favorite place for sushi!! The rolls are very generously sized and are prepared in a very timely manner. Happy hour runs throughout the week for dining-in only, and they offer a variety of rolls on special. When I crave sushi, Ichiban is always my first pick. I've brought many friends here and they are hooked as well. The rolls are delicious!..the wait is not long..and the price is perfect!! I don't yelp often, so when I do, it means that something is really great :-)
(5)
Barb L.
I've tried at least twice to order take-out and no one answered the phone in the afternoon. Huh? I took my money elsewhere. I'd call that an epic fail.
(2)
Shawn W.
My family has been frequenting Ichiban for the last twenty years and we absolutely love the big plate Japanese meals and friendly service. Huge fan of the fried jumbo shrimp, fried gyoza, chicken teriyaki, Cali rolls and Udon noodles. Ichiban is family-affordable, Japanese food at its best. If your in Pacific Beach and looking for a healthy option for dining be sure to check this place out. (They are located on Garnet Ave. next to the best place for framing and buying vintage posters in San Diego-Aztec Graphics)
(5)
Eric T.
recommended by the girlfriend's boss, with the claim Ichiban has the "best crunchy roll" he's ever eaten. we strolled down garnet for some sushi last friday. i have to say that he wasn't wrong, it quite possibly be the best crunchy roll i've eaten. with lots of sushi at a pretty inexpensive price, ichiban gets my praise. something to note, you actually go up to the counter and order your rolls prior to sitting down which actually cuts down on having a server come take your order, i like this idea and i'd like to see more of it, mostly because i'm impatient when it comes to food. so in summation: cheap, fast, good sushi. i'd recommend anyone who works or lives around PB to go check it out if they haven't already.
(4)
Dave M.
Quick lunch. Fresh sushi. Odd style of paying before sitting, so remember to bring cash for the help. Overall a pleasing experience. I shall return.
(4)
Mark P.
Ichiban is a great little place to go if you have a hankering for good sushi at a reasonable price. Please note that I said "good", not "great" sushi; if you want top quality raw seafood, then go somewhere else. On offer is a wide variety of increasingly fancy sushi rolls. Some rolls are better than others, but all are tasty and pretty to look at; there is one that will appeal to almost anyone. They also serve up other standard japanese fare such as katsu, teriyaki, tempura, and noodle bowls. These are OK too, but the sushi rolls are what we really go there for. The location on Garnet, bang in the middle of downtown PB, is comfortable enough but is unlikely to pick up a Michelin star anytime soon. Parking is sometimes a problem, so expect to walk a few blocks to get there. The service is pretty responsive and everyone there is usually very friendly. We love to go there for cheap, tasty, no-frills sushi.
(3)
Sean J.
Pacific Beach has more sushi places than any other type of food, so you have the luxury of being able to discriminate a little more. In the case of Ichiban P.B., it doesn't work in their favor. While the quality of the food is good, compared to the rest, its only average. I started out with a couple of pieces of Maguro which were really fresh and just great. First thing out was the Rainbow Roll which was good and hosed down immediatly. That was followed up by the Soft Shell Crab Roll and the Dragon roll which were disposed of faster than they were created. I ended up also getting 3 more pieces of Maguro since it was so cheap and good. The only real problems with Ichiban P.B are that its not all that conveniently placed and its really nothing special. Other than being a little cheaper, nothing stands out. And they don't even have Sweet Shrimp which is now the standard base measure of a 4 star place. In any event, if you are looking for quality sushi at a low key place, you wouldn't go wrong with Ichiban P.B.
(3)
Tram P.
Wow...where in the world did this place come from? Maybe I never thought to step foot in here...but jesus, talk about CHEAP! Not bad tasting either. The food is definitely not your fabulous sushi sit down restaurant in La Jolla, but for PB, it's pretty decent. Two of us got a large plate of sashimi, rice, miso soup, seaweed salad, edamame, and 2x 16oz Kirins for $22. You really can't beat that!!! If you want a 60oz pitcher, it's only $6.00!! If you're more into rolls, they have a large 14 pc platter for $7.50. Now I won't feel so broke everytime I have a sushi craving....mmmm....
(4)
Robert ..
Prices are reasonable and portions are generous. They don't have too many good rolls but definitely go for the Fried Calamari Roll and the bento boxes. The Fried Calamari Roll is one of the best single rolls you can get. They also know how to cook eel properly. Downsides are that it's not full service and the rest of the rolls aren't too spectacular. The tempura rolls are pretty good too.
(3)
H B.
the bf and i went here for dinner last night since ive been craving sushi for the longest time. the place was pretty much empty except for a couple of tables. we looked over their menu and display of specials and placed our order at the register. they have great specials, and this month's was the chicken katsudon with soup or salad and 6 pieces of CA roll for $5.50! we ordered the special, dragon roll, caterpillar, shrimp tempura and baja roll, 2 sodas--all for $40 but we had a coupon for $5 off fr. the clipper. the rolls we ordered were really good and big. if you like americanized sushi, then this is def the place to go. i don't like raw fish, so i really liked this place. the chicken katsudon was really good too and the bf ate it up. the dragon roll never came out, but we were ok with it since we had alot of food. i told the girl at the counter and she refunded my money. the service was a little lacking since the waitress took a while to re-fill our drinks. all in all, good sushi and great prices. we'll def be back.
(4)
Eena A.
When i called it sounded like i called the wrong number she didnt even say the name of the place w/ no knowledge of the menu. Don't order the miso...i didnt realize i would receive powder in a cup it was a take out order but really bummer ...same price as pb and mika id rather stick to them
(1)
Bryan M.
Great food, happy hour is awesome. Can be a little on the expensive side, but lots of bars to walk to after putting down some raw fish. Check out the monthly special - this past month it was half off Kirin beer. Can't be that!
(4)
David N.
Great prices, food is better then average. I like it
(4)
Lindsey M.
Will be back many times.... I was hesitant due to the length of the line out the door but I moved by super quickly. I ordered the 14pc sushi and only paid $9. Those prices just can't be beat. Yeah it might not be the best sushi I've ever had but for the price it was much better than expected. Their happy hour specials are also amazing and so are their daily specials. My friend got a full on sushi and chicken teriyaki plate for $6...now that can't be beat. Seriously skip out on some of the other PB sushi places and hit this one up. Friendly service, great prices and good food...
(4)
victoria k.
Been coming here for years. Have been to MUCH more expensive Japanese restaurants -- they don't even compare! I'm convinced that the teriyaki used in the chicken teriyaki dishes is addictive. I've tried a million different ways to make it at home. Can't do it. Best, Japanese in town. And, it's cheap!
(4)
Laura T.
I am so disappointed! I used to love Ichiban and would go there once a week until tonight. I absolutely love the Orange Blossom roll and the spicy tuna handroll. However, tonight, I got take-out and the roll was filled with old fatty ginger-colored tuna and had only about two pieces of nice fresh and red tuna in the entire roll. The last few times I went, I had already realized that they started putting very low quality fish into the rolls but take-out tonight was disgusting! I don't think I will return. They have very low prices, I understand that they probably won't put the most amazing fish into the roll but what I found in my roll tonight would be considered fish trash. Again, very disappointed. Raise your prices before you offer something like that to your customers.
(1)
Don D.
Great, fast, food. My family and I have been going to Ichiban for many years for the fast service, bottomless soft drinks, and good food. There are no gimmicks or over-the-top Japanese decor. Just a local place serving up good and quick food. You make your order at the register, pay for it, then take your ticket and go find a table. The waitress will come by, take your ticket and drink order. There are a few TV's that will usually have news or a sports game. We usually get some Combo Bento's that come in a large, square, compartmentalized tray, and a few different sushi plates. The tables have a few bottles of sauces, one is soy, the other is the thicker stuff. On busy nights, usually after 8pm you may have to wait for a table. The later you go the longer the outside line will be, but then you have fun and get to dodge the bicyclers and skateboarders. We have little kids so we go there by 5-6pm and get seats with no problem. The parking is along the street and gets full pretty early in the evening. We have had to frequently park on the next block away, but we always find a spot somewhere. Good value, good food, fast.
(4)
Michael W.
I'm gonna second what others have said about the weird ordering system. You have to order and pay at the counter, but there are no descriptions of the rolls on the menu until you get to the register, so you have to make a snap decision or risk pissing off the line behind you. Then you get a ticket and they bring your food to your table. The food is pretty boilerplate, with a few highlights. 7-buck rainbow roll, five-buck spicy tuna, both decent and for a good price. The spicy tuna is nice, since the tuna is in large recognizable hunks that are satisfying to chew. The large salad is an awesome deal at $3.50. Sweet dressing, lettuce and veggies with crab and avocado on top. Miso soup was...watery and obviously reconstituted from a cheap powder. But at least it was hot and salty. The fish was fresh and good. The rice, though, an often overlooked aspect of sushi, was gummy and a bit...wrong. But at that price, who can resist? A filing meal for $10 a person. Not too shabby. I'll be coming back.
(3)
Sean N.
Friendly, cheap, tasty food! Lion King roll is my favorite. This isn't high end sushi by any means. I also like to get the teriyaki chicken and shrimp tempura bento box. Parking is a 3i+(h! Oh, they always have the best candy by the register.
(4)
Jing X.
Actually, I am not a big fan for japanese food, but this, is really good.
(4)
Andrea S.
Love the udon they have here. Another suggestion from Mom...she took me here for the stamina noodles...delicious! Huge bowl of soup with thick udon noodles, fish cake (pink with white yummy fish cake!), chicken, one dumpling, breaded fish, broccoli, so much stuff!!! It's wonderful...especially during the may grey weather! BF and I headed over there and he ordered the shrimp tempura soup while I stuck with the stamina noodles. He loved it but was a bit sad he didn't order the stamina as I did because mine had way more stuff in it (I shared tho!) For 6 bucks...plus $2.00 saki at happy hour...do it!!!! Totally worth it!!!
(4)
Hilary H.
This is an excellent place to go with friends for a few reasons... 1. Dirt cheap Saki and Beer 2. Good selection of tasty Sushi 3. You order and pay at the counter before you sit down, so no drama over splitting a bill after one too many Saki Bombs!
(4)
Amy S.
2.5 stars. I was walking to my car after getting my nails done up the street, saw the sushi sign and realized I hadn't had breakfast at 2 PM.... So I decided to chance it. Inside: Very nice place. Large. Good seating. Staff: Very friendly. Talkative. Bathroom: Clean and not the "back room forgotten bathroom" feeling/look Wait time: Just a few. Food quality: Eh.... I got some shrimp tempura and a side of rice to go for a grand total of about 8 bucks! I love cheap! I got super hungry and ended up chowing down on my rice when I got into the car, and apparently the tape stuck around the lid to my rolls was not tight enough because when some asshole cut me off, just about all of the tempura stuff went FLYING all over my freshly vacuumed car.... Major suck. But, it happens. You can't blame them too much, but the safety of the rolls for transport should have been a little more thought over. When I got them back to suburbia, the rolls had not stuck together and was just a big heap of mishmash. The ginger must have seeped into everything and made it not the greatest. It was alright. Definitely not the best I ever had. The rice however, excellent. I might give this place another try next time I am down in PB or maybe I should plan on staying there to eat it.... but, eh, its decent.
(2)
Chris T.
Take Ichiban for what it is and you'll love it. There's no reggae playing, no list of 35 cleverly named rolls, nobody yells "MUSHI MUSHI!" at you when you walk in, the sushi chefs are blatantly Mexican, the waitresses are Brazilian (this is a plus actually), and the TV is always playing Access Hollywood. But that's not why I eat at Ichiban. It's affordable, it's quick, it's not that bad. In fact, it's good. Not great, but good enough to fill that Sushi itch. Get the Sashimi Mixed for $11 with 12 to 15 pieces of salmon, tuna, and yellow tail - it comes with edamame, miso, a fried side of some sort, and rice. The Yellow Tail Special roll is simple and awesome (even more awesome-er at $4.95). Perfect post-surf grinds. Not perfect if you are looking for Japanese people. I take that back, there's one and she owns the place and is super friendly.
(4)
Erica F.
My roommate and I have been coming to Ichiban once a week for the past two years and have never walked out with anything less than full tummies and full wallets. This is the best value for your money in PB- look for the monthly special and happy hour prices. The specialty rolls are all yummy (The orange blossom, baja roll, and alaskan roll are amongst our favorites) and the service is always quick after you order at the counter. My favorite thing about Ichiban is that their sushi rolls are jam packed with FISH and not rice, like most places in the area. Ichiban for life!
(5)
Karlene C.
It was a chilly night, and the hubby wanted fresh fish, and I wanted something hot, so off to Ichiban we went.. I was in pj attire and didn't want to go way down Garnet, so this place was perfect! I got the shrimp tempura noodle soup, and he got the philly roll. It was very tasty, and we got outta there for less than 20 bucks. Can't go wrong!
(5)
Gerry V.
This place is responsible for my sushi addiction hahaha...clean, friendly, fun, delicious!
(5)
Eric G.
Sushi rolls are great, and the prices are even better! Seriously, the rolls are about 1/2 the price as the other places in this area. Also, happy hour specials have some great deals too.
(4)
Rick P.
Love their fried calamari rolls, so big so good, and their fried shrimp hand roll, mmmm used to go there all the time until i found Niban in clairmont same taste same familiar faces but closer to home, been going there for years, now im in temecula where i search for the next fried calamari roll... lol they are the best
(5)
T Y.
I like Niban so much that I decided to check out their sister restaurant Ichiban in PB. They share the same menu and also have monthly special and daily specials which I like. My last experience was good since we didn't need to wait at all (maybe because we went very late) and they gave me a lot of fish. =) The staffs there were all very friendly similar to those in Niban.
(4)
Peter G.
Best value and great tasting sushi we've found so far in the neigbourhood. Recommended
(5)
Jack H.
I really like this place. I read some of the not so good reviews and it seems the fresh fish is the main problem. I can't comment on that because I go for the great bento boxes and rolls. I eat here at least once a week with my boyfriend and get 2 of whatever specials they have for the day. (They have great specials.) Usually we get one bento box and one roll, which is way enough food for us and we spend about $12. We don't mind ordering at the counter because we know what we want and there turnover is so fast that we never wait for a seat. This place is the best cheap sushi place around and place is clean and the staff is really nice. Surfside is better sushi, but you are paying double price for environment and basically the same stuff unless you sit at the sushi bar.
(4)
Vinncent N.
The main reason I like this place is that its really cheap for sushi. They have so many rolls here and they have specials everyday that are a steal. In terms of the food, I don't recommend this place for a date or anything really fancy. It's really down to earth and people here are really chill. I mean what do you expect, its right next to the beach. I have ordered over 15 different roll from this place, and it was all under 60 dollars which is amazing! the one roll that I like is 'The Lion King Roll." It has salmon and cream cheese in it that is fried. it's really good, (in my opinion, probably one of my favorite things on the menu. Now for the other stuff, its just okay. The seafood isn't always at it's prime at this place, but you get what you pay for here, so don't expect too much. My final statement is that this place is nice if you just came back from the beach and looking to eat something fast and good. Its a very casual place and is a great place to take a group of friends!
(3)
Carrie M.
Been coming here for years for super cheap sushi and their good saki happy hour. The last few times we went have been less than satisfactory. I know what to expect from "cheap sushi" it was never great, but it was still edible. Last week the salmon tasted off and they switched to a terrible new saki.
(2)
Diantha L.
Happy hour is the best here! They have a huge selection, including specialty rolls, and the price is great! My husband and I can get full on sushi for 20 bucks! You order first and the servers bring your drinks and food. It's pretty low-key and quick. And delicious! The only con is that the rolls are not the "prettiest". But, I can deal with a few pieces falling apart in my chopsticks. Oh, and the happy hour prices are only for dine-in, so plan on staying to eat.
(4)
Jill H.
Ichiban is the best bargain-basement sushi around. They use fresh ingredients, though they aren't the fanciest and they have the best specials of any sushi in San Diego. You can go in there and get a 14 piece boat, half rolls and half nigiri, that comes with miso soup for $8 Where else can you get such a sushi score? Their spicy-mayo is interesting in the difference from other places -it has jalapenos in it, but it's really good. check out Ichiban PB's monthly special for the best deal you've ever seen in a sushi place, especially one in a good location.
(4)
E O.
I LOVE sushi... I mean LOVE sushi... what I DON'T like, is fish bones in my sushi.. I have been here 3 times, and have had fish bones in my sushi 2 times..... not the best track record. what's worse... if you get here on a busy night, good luck finding a table... here, you pay first, eat later... hmmmmmmm....
(2)
Jennifer L.
I love Ichiban!!! It is so tasty and I am infatuated with their salmon skin hand rolls. They do it a lot different here and they actually put pieces of cooked salmon (not just the skin) and chop it up inside with a little bit of i think lemon? to dress it up. It was literally the most delicious cooked salmon roll I've ever had. You can never go wrong with their sashimi and their hand rolls are always delicious. Also, it is really really really cheap which makes it totally worth it :)
(4)
Nooria S.
Tonight a friend and I had dinner here. We split the large house salad, fried gyoza (pork dumplings), and baja roll (shrimp tempura, spicy crab, cucumber, avacado and cilantro.) The salad was just iceberg but it had cucumber, carrots, avacado, rice noodles and imitation crab. The peanut ginger dressing was amazing. The sushi was delish dipped in eel and spicy sauce. All for $23. I'll be back.
(3)
John Dale K.
this place is not high finance, high roller dining. it is basic food, japanese cuisine, and a place that does a damn good job of doing what they do. all of the food is cooked to order, nothing lying around. the food, when it hits your table is always hot. the way the restaurant runs is a little different than most places. you place your order at the cashier when you get there. if there is a table available, you sit down, and when your food is ready, they bring it to you. if it is crowded--which sometimes, the line goes out the front door, you place your order, and you sit in the small waiting area, or even step outside. when they call your order number, it means that you have a table, and your food is soon to follow. the bento trays are always good, they will make specials up every day for lunch as well as dinner, and they do have some nice combo specials. the stamina noodles are to die for--the best thing to eat when you are hungry, want a lot of variety, it's cold outside (yes, it does get cold there in san diego---relative to what it should be--warm) or all of the above. they have always taken good care of me and my family when we eat there. found an article in cuisine magazine before we moved to san diego, and wanted to try this. i have not been disappointed at all.
(5)
James H.
Love it the best sushi in san diego. Come every week. Always love the lion king roll.
(4)
Rachel G.
orange blossom roll and hot philly roll are my favs. The lunch special is amazing! 10 of each and 2 drinks for 11$. You order at the front counter so not much of a wait, however it does tend to get crowed later in the evening. def. a lunch place
(4)
Travis S.
Been back twice. Need to add that they have quick take out (you can call in your order and it doesn't take long even if you don't) and killer daily and monthly specials. Soda is free in July. I hate soda, but dude. Free drinks. Score.
(4)
Kylee H.
At Ichiban P B i found my bff, food...This place is amazing!!! My family and I go there every week. I always get the dragon roll. its a good cheap meal.
(5)
Tonie T.
I gave it's sister-site, Nibon, one more star because I think Nibon is cleaner than Ichiban. It's my one gripe about BOTH spots, though it seems Ichiban is the grungier of the two. Still, Ichiban holds a special place in my heart because it's the location of my first real date with my now live-in boyfriend. I guess that says he's a cheapskate! ha! We sat in the booth at the very back of the restaurant, held hands the whole time, and shared our food. ;) The food is typical Japanese fare. Nothing ground-breaking, but Ichiban remains a favorite in my heart for sentimental romantic mushy reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with food!
(3)
Mr K.
Sometimes nostalgia just isn't enough. Ichiban was one of my regular places to eat at back when I was in school, a long, LONG time ago. Hell, I even bought an Ichiban tshirt when I moved away. I thought the place was brilliant, in a cheap, overly casual kind of way. I mean, they have a bowl of chewy candy by the register. What's not to love? Visiting my old stamping grounds for a week recently, I thought it was par for the course to visit Ichiban again. Walking in, I realize that pretty much nothing has changed in over a decade, including their displays of the day's special in the window. Now, I've never deluded myself into thinking they had decent sushi. I was always about the chicken bento boxes (either ginger chicken or teriyaki chicken, depending on my mood). Most likely because one or the other was always on special, which benefited my (then) cheap, student budget rather nicely. And so it was, that I ordered the ginger chicken bento box special (it's still $4.95 a decade later?) and sat down. I observed the scene. Pretty much the same PB crowd. Some drunk, some not. I scratched my head at the people who came in to pick up their big orders of sushi. Why would anyone order sushi from here? I was dumbstruck. And in my dumbstruckness, my bento box was placed before me. Now, my bento box looked exactly the same, except for the fact that I see now how bad the quaility of the chicken is now. I'm not saying Ichiban's standards have gone down, I'd just say mine have gone up. Not being a college student anymore probably helps. Still, I sat there and ate, quietly realizing and being at peace with the fact that this was probably going to be my last meal at Ichiban ever. The chicken was tough, and the taste was meh. The egg rolls were nondescriptive. And to make matters worse, nothing was on TV that was remotely interesting. I realized that in a case like Ichiban, you get exactly what you pay for. Kind of depressing. In your mind, you want it to be as good as you remembered, and you realize it isn't. Like waking up to reality once the beer goggles have faded away. Sad. It's been nice knowing you, Ichiban, but no, I'm not going to ask you for your number.
(2)
jessica h.
Love the bento box specials. For $6.00 you get a lot of food that fills you up. The food is always delicious.
(5)
Jeanae K.
Great food, I Love it !
(4)
JL K.
Great lunch specials. The Ginger chicken is awesome as is the teriyaki. I haven't had the sushi. But the cooked items have all been good.
(4)
Al A.
Used to hit this place a lot during my college days. My buddies from SDSU loved this joint. The place would be crowded and you'd have to wait for a table. I usually went with a larger group so that would be a bigger bitch than it had to be. The food was okay, not ground breaking. The cool thing was watching the cook prepare your food in front of you. "Don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle." they say. I go to Niban in Kearny Mesa when I'm not in the mood to wait in line. The food is just as good but the crowd is not as trendy as here. Park along the streets but that could be hit and miss on weekends.
(3)
Kreaky B.
I enjoyed the Katsu curry dish and the bento box. The portions were filling and the curry was very tasty.The bento box is very nice because it has an assortment of side dishes that come with it, including a noodle salad and miso soup. The salmon in the box was very tender. The prices are very good for the taste and I will eat here again.
(3)
Norman R.
Ichiban (PB) and Niban are sister stores. But Ichiban is a little less crowded, a little bit cleaner, and a more laid back. Food wise, if you've been to Niban, you know what to expect here. Tasty Teriyaki Chicken, pretty good rolls, and pretty quick service.
(3)
Me Y.
If you are in college and looking for a good deal, this is the place. Yes, fun times...I remember them. But I'm older now and want more from my sushi. It isn't a judgment, just a progression to something else..
(3)
Jackie L.
New to living in San Diego, but the plenty of times that I've visited...I have always gone to Ichiban and taken advantage of the incredible happy hour specials. Now that I live here, it's the best place to stuff my face with sushi and not burn a hole in my wallet. My favorites are the Dragon Roll and Baja Roll....plus the cheap cheap sake! Do not mistake Ichiban for the millions of other sushi places you will find within blocks of this little gem.
(5)
P S.
Where else can two people go to get sushi for only $20? HERE! I love sushi but my husband and I are on a budget. This is the only place in PB where you can get good quility sushi for an awesome price. The restaurant itself looks a little bit like a diner, but the rolls are excellent and the sushi is high quality. If you don't mind the esthetics, the food is great and the prices are amazing.
(5)
Brian C.
From someone who eats sushi almost every day for 14 years, Ichiban has the tastiest, freshest....best sashimi in town. I think that their Fried Calamari Roll is the best roll of any kind anywhere that I have ever been. I also love their Spicy Tuna Handrolls; crunchy, lots of tuna and that great "orange" sauce. Their Stamina Noodle Soups are very large and tasty too. My kids like the Chicken/Rice Bowls. Parking can be difficult on Garnet but would never keep me from going to my favorite sushi restaurant.
(5)
Renata K.
This is my new favorite sushi place, hands down. Sorry North Park Sushi. Ichiban has a diner feel - you walk up to the counter and order and they'll bring the food to you in the vinyl booths. So although the ambience is lacking, the food and prices make up for it. Their rolls are unique and DELICIOUS and I don't think a single one is over $10. My faves are the calamari roll and the Spicy Grilled California. YUM. I almost wish I lived in PB just so I could eat here more often.
(5)
Chelsey T.
Ichiban has very nicely priced sushi that will not give you food poisening, but you do get what you pay for. Substitutions are not so great here. They don't have a lot of rolls to choose from, so getting rid of the imitation crab and substituting it out is not easy. If you're like me and have any sort of food allergy, this is not the place for you. I'm not sure even they know what is in some of their rolls. The rolls don't have a lot of creativity and the eel always tastes a little bit off. But again, I've eaten there many times and never gotten sick =) I think Ichiban's Happy Hour (5-7) is their claim to fame, because even though their whole restaurant is nothing above average, their prices are cheap enough to make me go back. I would recommend Ichiban for a cheap, easy dinner. I wouldn't recommend taking guests there--it will make you look bad.
(3)
Jesse K.
Our go to standard here in PB. Probably not what you are expecting out of a sushi place inPB. You have to order at the counter when you arrive. This is no big deal, just read the giant menu when you walk in and get in line. Yep, there is usually a line, but it goes quick. It is right on Garnet about five blocks to the beach so pretty good people watching if you can sit by the window. I always check the specials/happy hour because these are some good deals on their already really low prices. It is not NOBU. That being said I believe two can dine with beer and sake and spend less than you would on one roll at NOBU. With a tip. Everything is fresh and delicious. They know how to fry things as well. The Lion King Roll is great. Like a deep fried philly roll with jalapeno. Very rich. The Albacore Supreme is a nice contrast. Seared Albacore with lemon slice and ponzu sauce. Huge bento boxes of a few varieties for under ten bucks! Large ice cold Kirin that can be half price for the whole month! The service is great and friendly after you adjust to the counter service. There is a bar where you can order sushi normally for the lone wolves and couples. You just can't go wrong here. When in PB try it, save a hundred dollars, thank me later.
(4)
Jennifer K.
Ichiban was good, I enjoyed the sushi. The service was good.. because it wasn't busy when we got there and we were still waiting for a few people, the waitress let us order from the table instead of using their odd system. I always prefer using a waitress when at a restaurant, versus the cafeteria feel. The beers are big, though, and the sushi prices are reasonable. Although I'm sure I'll find over time that there are better sushi places, it was a good first experience in the area.
(3)
Colby P.
When I was broke and living in PB, this place took a lot of my meager earnings. Happy hour specials are excellent and the service is great, especially when they start to recognize you. As far as the sushi goes it's just so-so truth be told, but this place will always have a spot close to my heart.
(4)
Heather R.
This place is a great deal for happy hour! $1 Sake as well as several appetizer specials makes this an affordable yet quality pick. The staff is very friendly and attentive, and the food is just as good as the more expensive places.
(4)
j m.
I would give them a higher rating but the staff is kind of rude and their hours are weird. Amazing sushi, teriyaki food, and PRICES!
(4)
Lindsey A.
VERY reasonably priced sushi place. obviously, not the most amazing sushi but you just can't beat the price. Their sushi happy hour from 5-7 features some further discounted rolls which are always pretty yummy. Last night, my roommate and I went after work and ordered 2 rolls to share, i had a salad and she had a side of rice - less than $15.00. You stand in line to place your order, find a table and a server attends to you the rest of the time bringing out your food and making sure your drink is full. Definitely one of my favorite after-work places to grab a bite.
(4)
Ralph N.
I live in San Francisco now, but I'm still on the lookout for a sushi roll place as good as Ichiban. Nothing beats the quality/*price*/portion combination. That's why this place is is getting great business. IMO, any sushi place that has hand rolls that cost over $10 doesn't deserve 5 stars. This is rice & fish we're talking about here...
(5)
Amy M.
I've eaten at Ichiban before, and thought it was decent for the price. But last night, it was flat-out terrible. We ordered Edamame, Fried Gyoza, Spicy Tuna Roll and Rainbow Roll. The edamame was watery, the gyoza were dry, the tuna hardly spicy at all, and the rainbow roll was mushy. Not only that, but the rolls were poorly rolled and put together. Truly awful.
(1)
David M.
This place is a really good deal. The sushi isn't the best, but they don't charge prices like it is either. You get good portions of fish, it's fresh and inexpensive. I eat a lot and have a hard time spending more than $25 on sushi. They have great rolls, and my friend loves a roll with lemon slices on top of basically a rainbow roll with tempura in the middle. I have to admit it was pretty good. If you are looking for good sushi and not breaking the bank, try it out. You won't be disappointed. Great for groups as they have large booths and i've never had to wait.
(4)
Glenn W.
I've eaten here many times but have not tried the sushi. I can say the chicken dishes and bowls are pretty good, fast and priced right. I usually get one of the specials such as the teriyaki or ginger chicken which comes with rice, a salad, egg roll or other roll for $6.95 or less. Nothing elegant here, just a fast, cheap way to have a decent meal.
(4)
Isabelle N.
Update: Ichiban now has Happy Hour!!!!!! It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)
Debbie M.
I know this place is loathed by my fellow yelper Rachel but I can not help but love this place. It's that kind of place where I order the same thing every time cause I know its safe and will be good. I don't take chances here and get odd things. Its cheap sushi and for me its great to fill my sushi cravings on short notice. Sometimes the line is long so best to go early evening....even better to order ahead for take out. My favorite item on the menu is the grilled California roll. Never have seen this anywhere else so I mostly come for that plus the soft shell crab rolls are not so bad either. If your in PB I suggest this place over some of the other cheap places on Garnet Ave.
(4)
Hannah P.
Best sushi in PB by far! Ichiban's fish is always fresh and their monthly deals are awesome. Everything is cheap and the service is fast and friendly. My personal favorite is the Hawaiian roll - shrimp tempura, crab and avocado inside with ahi tuna on top. I go here at least once a week :)
(5)
elle h.
I love this place my jap dad and i go after fishing cheap but very very good
(5)
Lois S.
Ichiban PB is our favorite place to eat when in San Diego. We have been known to eat here twice a day for six in a row (closed on Sunday). You could do that and never eat the same thing twice and be happy every time. Or, like my husband, you could have the same thing EVERY time and want more. Delightful place; delightful staff. Best bang for the sushi buck around.
(5)
Suzie Q.
Oh my God! I just got back from this place and am only hoping I don't get any sorts of food poisoning! Cheap this place is... and cheap quality is what you get. I honestly hate to give such a bad review, but it was awful. We ordered a rainbow roll, which I get at almost every sushi place I go to. I'm not sure what type of fish it was suppose to be, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't suppose to be GREY! All the rolls we ordered were over stuffed with imitation crab, which definately didn't taste fresh either. We go out to eat sushi pretty often, but I think this has ruined me from wanting to eat any sushi... at least for a few weeks. It's not worth saving an extra few bucks or ten... save your stomach!
(1)
Tyler T.
This place has great sushi and big rolls at fantastic prices. This place operates as a hybrid waiter service restaurant - you order at the counter, find your seat, and you get served your food and drinks. I've been coming to Ichiban for the last 5 years and I've yet to be disappointed. My wife and I moved away from P.B. in 2006 and we still make the drive back to Ichiban. Even with the price of gas, we still come out ahead of what we would pay in Del Mar. It actually surprises me that other sushi spots are Garnett can compete, since you're bound to spend twice the amount you would at Ichiban. Bottom line: If you're spending too much for good sushi, do yourself a favor and check this place out. Try the dragon roll.
(4)
Kylan M.
Prices are great. Food is mediocre. It's like the fast food of sushi.
(3)
Nicole L.
fried salmon w/ rice!!! BEST DISH EVERRRRR. plus get the tea, it's free =) this place is cheap. i've been going there w/ my family ever since i can remember, ever since i was like 6...i've been getting their fried salmon w/ rice. it's honestly one of my favorite meals ever. don't get it baked though, then it's just meh and not so great at all. =( grade = 97%
(5)
Christina M.
Most disgusting slop of sushi I have ever seen and tried to eat. I spent $17 on 2 special rolls and threw them out! I got the Scallop Delight and the Dragon Roll...I found a piece of plastic in the Dragon Roll first off. The 2 rolls were thrown together and they fell apart when I picked them up....They used faux fish and the taste was awful....BIG, DISGUSTING, YUCK, NEVER AGAIN
(1)
Camie K.
Quite the contrary, Ichiban does not live up to its name (to my knowledge, ichiban = the best, in a "hands down" kind of way). Food and service are ok, but definitely not the best. I give it two stars because it is cheap eating there...and that you can swallow their sushi down without regurgitating it. Their menu is exactly the same as Niban's, which is their other store off of Clairemont Mesa. Good place to eat for starving students, but then again, there is always top ramen.
(2)
Julia N.
If I was judging solely on price, this place would get 5 stars. for 7.95, you can get stuffed... maybe for even less. problem is it's hit or miss. some of your sushi is fresh, some is not so fresh. rolls are big. and tonight, there was a 50% off special on Kirin (which i though tasted like bud light), a pitcher for 5.95. i would go back if others wanted to, but i would never initiate.
(2)
CAKE E.
The food here is cheap and good. This is a great place to eat with a friend, or even go on a date. Of course, my first date here was a bust, but that was b/c my date was a bit off- not the fish. Plus, I love the big cushy black booths.
(3)
Jennifer B.
I have been eating at Ichiban since my college days at SDSU and while I see many people on here had bad experiences, I have always loved it. The fish is fresh and some of the best I've had in Pacific Beach. I have never tried any of the cooked food, but always eat the sushi and rolls. My favorite is the Fried Calamari, which is filled with calamari and topped with tuna and a spicy sauce... big enough to be a whole meal. The service is good and the staff is friendly. This is the perfect place to go after a day at the beach, as it is very casual. While it is true the Sushi chefs are not Japanese, they are really good at what they do, so who cares?
(4)
Mindy B.
I've been going to Ichi Ban going on 5 years now. Its seriously the best deal in PB. Its great value for money and the sushi is fresh and yummy. Maybe not the best place for a first date - its a pretty casual setting. But I eat there with my girl friends and get take out all the time. Its a fairly busy little place. You just order from the counter and if you are going to eat there, they bring the food and drinks to your table. The people who work here are very nice too. I LOVE Ichiban.
(5)
Gregory G.
Best sushi around and at a very reasonable price. Chefs make extremely tasty Teriyaki Chicken. They are also fast at bringing it out to you. Friendly service and a good people watching place.
(5)
matthew m.
I love Ichiban. My wife and I go for lunch here a lot, and have had a good experience every time. It's really cheap, fast, and delicious. My favorite roll is the baja roll. The people working here are all really friendly, and they have candy at the register. What the hell else do you need in life?
(4)
Jeffrey M.
IT was one of the best sushi places I have been to since i left Japan. IT was great sushi for a minimal Price.
(4)
Bionda C.
This place is renowned for its cheap (and good) sushi by PB-ers. But the ambiance is like a Denny's on a Sunday morning, and I thought the fish was mediocre at best. Try your luck down the street at Surfside instead!
(2)
Khoa N.
For every time I've come here, I'm pleasantly disappointed. I can't put my finger on it, but something about this place doesn't seem to satisfy me at all. The first time I went here I ordered the seafood udon, which upon receiving it was saddened by the fact that it looked like chicken broth with random seafood thrown in. The overall taste was dissatisfying and the entire bowl looked like it was slapped together. It could hardly be called seafood udon. The second time I came here I ordered some seafood tempura. I'm not sure if its my bad luck with seafood here, but I figure a sushi restaurant should have some decent seafood lying around albeit their normal sushi. To my dismay, it was equally as pleasant as my previous visit as everything was just too bland and the seafood didn't even seem fresh. Now, some of you may argue that you get what you pay for, but in reality I've had some better meals at Niban, their sister restaurant than this one and the prices are almost identical. All in all, there's plenty of places on Garnet to get sushi so really you don't have to go out of your way to save a few bucks.
(2)
Nicole F.
honestly the best sushi ive tried in town. from zen bu to sushi on the rock, this place is complete with hole in the wall charm, awesome staff, and incredible sushi. its cheap, their happy hour is unreal, and i cant tell you how often i go. their service isnt always amazing but it doesnt even matter. for fast amazing quality cheap sushi, you have to try ichiban.
(5)
Tony L.
Ichiban fills a small niche among the flocks of sushi places lining Garnet. I was fairly hesitant to try out a "discount" sushi place but I wasn't given much of a choice by the girlfriend. Upon walking into the place, I was fairly confused on the ordering system. Apparently you are suppose to order your food at the counter and then it gets delivered to your table. We decided on a mix platter of some sort, a crunchy tempura roll and a pitcher of beer. The beer was on special for the month and it was actually cheaper to buy the pitcher rather then ordering two separate beers. The sushi arrived promptly and we quickly jumped into the huge sea of food! I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, it definitely wasn't top notch but very solid. The rest of the meal went without a hitch and we left with full tummies and still had money in our wallets. The meal was less then 30 bucks which also included a pitcher of beer! I imagine we'll be back in the future.
(3)
KURT M.
my wife and i will go here on occasion, as we went here a bunch when we were dating. prices are good, fish is not the best, but fine for the price. used to get the sashimi plate, and it was loaded with fish. not a bad place to go grab a large portion of sushi on the cheap
(4)
Jackie A.
I have been going to Ichiban for a long time and it is definetley the best sushi around for the price. Great casual atmosphere and the staff are very friendly.
(4)
Rachel R.
I stopped eating here years ago when I lived in PB and it was within walking distance. All it took was for me to see a cockroach running across the kitchen floor as I went to the bathroom, I was outta there. No wonder its so cheap, roaches are free!
(1)
Maxie G.
I did not have a good experience at this sushi place. Firstly, we went to Sushi Ota on Mission Bay Drive but the place was packed and there was a 2 hour wait. I should have made a reservation but it was a last minute decision to eat out that night. We were starving and wanted to find another sushi place close by. My husband didn't want to go to PB, he doesn't like it, but I encouraged him to go as it was close and we didn't know where else to go. We wanted to go to Sushi on the Rock in La Jolla, but they closed down. So, we ended up at Ichiban. The entrance way was packed with people. I saw a line of people waiting at the counter but thought that they were ordering take-out. There were some other people waiting in another line and I asked them if they were waiting for a table and they said yes. So we stood behind them. And we waited and waited. No member of staff acknowledged us or even looked our way. I finally approached one of the waiters and asked her how we go about getting a table and she said that we have to order the food first. She pulled me over to the front entrance where there was a sign said "Order your food first". When we first walked in, there were so many people standing there that the sign was covered. Anyway, by this time my husband was very irritated and didn't want to eat there, even though there was now no line at the counter. So we left, and we both have a very bad impression of this place. We went to La Jolla and had a nice dinner at the Spices Cafe. So, I can't comment on Ichiban's sushi as I never got to taste it. The prices did seem cheap though, so if you are looking to save money, this may be the place for you, but if you are looking for good service, or I should say any service at all, you should give this place a miss.
(1)
Charlene C.
I will never go to this place again. The ONLY reason we even set foot in the place was because my boyfriend and I had made a plan to eat at every sushi place in Pacific Beach on Garnett, starting from the east end, by Pacific Coast Bicycle, and working our way west. The whole experience is frightening. You order everything at the counter, briskly, mind you, since there is a line forming out the door as you agonize over what rolls to order. Hopefully, nothing you order gets lost in translation and you pay there. Then, you go sit at a booth in the brightly lit cafeteria style dining area and someone then brings your drinks, plates, etc. After a while, watching whatever random game is on the tiny TV and one scary visit to the bathroom, your sushi arrives. It is bland, and the rice is sticky. I don't remember much after this. Therefore, I feel it is safe to say Ichiban PB = McDonalds of sushi.
(2)
Eric B.
Love this place - cheap and fast. Will sometimes have a lineup to order but seating opens up pretty well by the time you're ready. Always seem to have a great special - rolls and a cooked item. Enjoy!
(5)
Emy M.
Date of visit: 7/31/2015 Ichiban is the sister restaurant of Niban, which holds a special place in my heart from my college days. Since we were about to leave on a trip and I didn't feel like buying fresh food that would go to waste, Cam and I opted to grab a quick bite to eat at Ichiban before going home to pack. As will most other PB restaurants, the only parking available is street parking. If you're not good at parallel parking, I suggest you seek parking on the side streets or take a chance on getting one of the diagonal spots on the north side of Garnet. Garnet is one of the main roads of PB, so there is a lot of traffic. Before sitting down, you have to order at the counter. Since it can get fairly busy, be polite and don't send someone from your party to grab a table. The food comes out fairly quickly, so turnaround on tables is pretty quick as well. Drinks and miso soup are served right when you get to your table. The remainder of your order is brought out as ready. This means that you may or may not get all of your food at the same time. Also, keep an eye out for the deal of the month. For July, it was free drinks with a meal purchase of $5.95 or more, so Cam and I were able to get a couple of soft drinks for free. Miso Soup. The miso soup is prepared from one of those dehydrated packets, so it's nothing special. However, it is a nice warm start to a meal for me, albeit a bit salty. Salmon Roll. This was my first time having raw salmon, so I was ready to not like it, but I found this roll to be really refreshing. We usually get one of the deep fried rolls, which fill you up quickly, but the raw fish was definitely lighter and allowed us some room for the curry. This dish also came out really quickly as it's one of the easier rolls to make. Chicken Katsu Curry. This is a comfort dish for me and gigantic one at that. It's served with a salad that has a nice ginger based dressing. Although Cam wasn't a fan of the salad, I really enjoyed it. The curry is beef based and has big chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots throughout. It is served on top of a bed of rice and chicken katsu. Because of the curry, the katsu gets soggy, but it's not too bad. Overall, I'm definitely a fan of Ichiban as it's definitely comfort food from my college days. I'm also now a fan of their salmon rolls, so when we come back, I'll have to try some other rolls out. Definitely worth a try if you haven't been to either restaurant.
(4)
Christina M.
My boyfriend & I had their chicken katsu (spelling?) for lunch last week, and we both had headaches after. I thought that maybe we were both a little off, but I ate the leftovers today and got a headache again. Not sure what's in the ingredients, but if it's giving 2 people headaches, that can't be good. Their sushi is good and I've never had any problems, but I'll never order the chicken katsu lunch special again.
(2)
Marissa M.
Eh. Nothing incredibly special about this place. My favorite part was the garlic edamame. You order before you sit down. Prices are competitive. Service was a little slow. The rolls were nothing to come back for :/
(3)
Meredith B.
Loved this place. We were with a larger group, and we all got something different and loved it all! Friendly staff and really good food. I've ordered and picked up a few times since then and always really liked it! Their miso soups are total winners in my book.
(5)
Phoenix H.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Tried this place because we just finished a tattoo appointment that took longer than expected. We were starving! Prices were good. I had this baked roll with scallops. I don't remember the name. It was the best baked roll I've ever had. Most rolls like that are slathered with spicy mayo and imitation crab but this had real sea food. Delicious.
(5)
Katie W.
Been here twice with co-workers. Always very pleased with the food (although last time, one of my dining companions had plastic wrap on a piece of his roll -- not acceptable), but the service leaves a lot to be desired, especially on our last visit. We sat with empty glasses for almost the entire meal; not a single refill. The girl at the counter may have been having a bad day, but she seemed frustrated when I asked a couple questions about the combo. I adore the food and the price is right, but service needs to step it up to keep us coming back.
(3)
Nette B.
Walk up to the counter, place your order then have a seat. There's a large menu right by the counter. Service: The servers were really nice and kept coming by our table to see if we were fine. Food: Chicken Katsu Curry Bento Box B (Baked Salmon, Shrimp Tempura, Octopus and Tuna Sashimi, California Roll, Fish Tempura, Salad and Miso Soup. Both dishes were yummy and delicious. The chicken katsu was perfectly battered and freshly cooked. The beef curry was satisfying to my tummy. Happy Hour (forgot the hours) Lunch and Dinner Specials available (look at the white board on the wall. Overall, a really good sushi restaurant. Reasonably priced and delicious flavors. I will definitely return to try other menu items.
(4)
Deniz A.
This place rocks! Great portions that fill you up. The Bento teriyaki is always good served with stir fried zucchini and mushrooms mixed with the chicken. Special thanks to Isabella, who made my visit extra enjoyable and satisfied. I'll keep on coming back again, again, and again...
(5)
Evan L.
Came here for lunch on a random weekday and was pleasantly surprised by the lunch specials they had. When I was looking over the menu the lady at the counter seemed like she was getting annoyed with me not ordering right away. I ended up ordering the bento box which was hot, good, and a lot of food. Totally worth the 8 dollars.
(4)
Mojan S.
It was alright! We didn't have a good experience with the waitress and the sushi was very bland. Maybe we just didn't order the right sushi but we won't try again. Thanks
(3)
Stephanie G.
I've been coming here since I was a child, and I can hands down say it's become my favorite sushi places of all time. They have theee best dragon and Baja roll the sweetest staff ever
(5)
Jenelyn A.
Nibans sister chain. So this place has everything they do! Calamari dragon crunch lion calamari roll! So they get my same rating as niban did. Just not a fan of pbs parking situation.
(4)
Clara A.
I have been coming here with my family for years, and it is one of our favorite sushi spots in San Diego. We also love their other location "Niban's" in Clairemont. I recently learned that "Ichi" means "one" and "Ni" means "two". Makes a lot of sense. Anyway, the reason why this place is a favorite of ours, and we will continue to come back as loyal customers, is because they have HUGE rolls for such a reasonable price! Sushi anywhere in San Diego can get a bit pricey, so it's refreshing that Ichiban, regardless of all of the competition nearby, offer their rolls at such great prices. For the quality of their food, and excellent taste, I'm sure they can either bring up their prices by a dollar or so, or could skimp out and make the rolls smaller or "regular sized" but they don't, and that is why so many people love coming! Anyway, if you love raw fish, such as salmon or tuna, you have to get the orange blossom roll! It is my absolute favorite!!! It is almost $10 for the roll which actually is a lot of money BUT the roll itself is soo big! I can eat just this and be full, opposed to getting two rolls for more money and probably not finishing both. I think the salmon always taste particularly fresh and is very tasty. Other rolls that are delicious are the paradise, lion king, and Baja roll to name a few. I also like to get their "A" and "B" option dinner convos. It is always a mix of two rolls (half each) and the price will be somewhere close to $7. If that's not a steal, I don't know what is! Only thing with this deal they do is that it's dine in only. Parking can be hard since it's in PB and you can only do street parking (no private lot), but I've never really had trouble finding parking. Also, you order and pay at the counter before you sit down which I personally like because you don't spend much time tagging down a waitress or waiting or order/pay. All in all, great place to come overall for a casual lunch or dinner if you're wanting something quick and relatively cheap.
(5)
Jenna P.
This has continued to be my go to place for quick delicious sushi! I love having a spot where I can order my favorite rolls for a good price! I absolutely love this place :-)
(5)
Kierra N.
The sushi is pretty good, I had the lion king roll. The inside looks way better than how it actually appears in the outside. It's a little different than usual restaurants because you have to order before you sit down! So maybe order an appetizer and ask for a menu? Or just know what you want when you go there. The prices are really good too :), between 5 and 15 dollars depending, on how much fish you want on your rolls. But the only downside that I did not like is that they should serve the rolls for everyone together because my friends roll came out 25 minutes before mine did :/ like c'mon now. And you don't really have a consistent waitress. Besides that the food was still really good.
(3)
Mira M.
The best deal on sushi you can ever dream of! Super nice staff, and you cannot find a sushi roll in San Diego that actually tastes pretty decently for the price like this. I don't love their seaweed salad, or katsu curry that much, but the bento boxes and sushi rolls are super good. If you want affordable Japanese food, this is your place. If you are a sushi snob, you might as well go to Sushi Ota, but be prepared to spend a lot more. We eat here at least a few times a month for last 3 years, and never had a bad experience. The girl who left a 2 star review about food giving her and her boyfriend a headache makes me realize how ridiculous some of these reviews are (I bet she was hungover and dehydrated) and how much they can hurt a business. Check this place out and don't pay attention to stupid reviews.
(5)
Barbara H.
Excellent food and service .. Good prices for what they offer. It opens at 5 pm for dinner and there were ppl waiting outside . I got my food to go and it doesn't take long.
(5)
Mushie H.
Ugghhhh I ordered the Paradise, Dragon and Dynamite Roll. They were mediocre at best and I took a bite out of the Dynamite roll and ended up leaving it for them to throw away. It was sour and disgusting. The raw Paradise Roll wasn't fresh at all and the quality was low. Has one $ for a reason, go somewhere else! Ahhhhhh
(1)
Bob B.
You can't beat Ichiban PB for good sushi at a terrific price. There may be more high-end sushi places, but you can get consistent, delicious sushi at Ichiban PB for half the price (especially during happy hour, 5PM-7PM every day. I love the Orange Blossom, kamikaze, spicy grilled (tuna or salmon), and sashimi salad. The cooked entrees are good to. Been going for years and never disappointed.
(5)
Blain K.
Came here for lunch with a few friends the other day. You walk in and order first then sit which was a little weird but the lady was very friendly and helpful with us. We ordered and sat down and our food came out pretty quick. the hand rolls I received were HUGE! everything was pretty good but no one ever came to refill waters or anything which is a big pet peeve of mine so that's why it gets 3 instead of 4 stars. I probably be back but its a standard sushi place, nothing special.
(3)
Catherine P.
It is ineresting that you order first then find a spot :O we had just missed happy hour but it wasn't that expensive which was nice :) I wasn't uber hungry so I only got the California Maki. It was good but smaller than I expected. It was good though but I'm not a sushi fanatic so take my words with caution! The lady at the cashier was nice and helpful with all my questions (I'm a newbie eater so I ask lots of questions). There wasn't a table for the three of us so we waited for a little before taking a seat but it wasn't that long which was good. I was satisfied and it was nice :) I would go back if others wanted to go.
(5)
Kimberly H.
I do not recommend this place to anyone who likes tasty food. The restaurant itself is quite cute. Twinkly lights hanging from the celling, a sushi clock on the wall, and a warm, romantic atmosphere. Unfortunately all of that means nothing because the food was just awful! It's right around the P.B bar area. So I'm assuming the only reason this place has such good reviews is because hungry drunks stumble on over from the bars for some food and can't tell the difference between a pile of shit and some shrimp tempura, which by the way was not that good. The rolls I ordered were very basic, but somehow the "chef" managed to fuck them up! Everything was flavorless and the avocado on top of my rainbow roll was turning brown! The fish was kind of grey-ish. The food was garnished with a green wet plastic. Absolutely disgusting. My advice, stay away!
(1)
Nicole C.
I don't know what it was, but perhaps it was the fact that you order at the counter when you first walk in like it's some sort of fast food joint or maybe the overall ambiance of the place, but I just was not feeling it from the start. When we got our food, I was not impressed. It didn't taste as fresh as other sushi I've had in the past and wasn't appetizing. Some of my friends really talk this place up, so I hate to give a bad review, but I can't see myself ever going back.
(2)
Daina B.
I'm torn on giving this place a one star or two star, so I opted for rounding up. The wait staff are friendly and helpful. But other than that I was super disappointed with this place. I consider Yelp my food compass. Anything 4 stars and above I will try. This time it failed me, but I was having a really good run so it was bound to happen. Prior to going, this place somehow had 4 stars, which has since gone down to 3.5. Not surprised. The Tuna Sashimi was not fresh tasting at all, and it wasn't because it came out on a bed of iceberg lettuce that was tossed on the plate. You could tell just by the coloring. Our yellowtail special roll lacked flavor and was rolled loosely. The scallop roll was doused in mayo. None of the fish we have tasted fresh. Blah. It actually made me miss my regular sushi haunt back in Forest Park, IL so much more (how can a Midwestern Sushi place have fish that is more fresh?!). Hard pass. Find another sushi joint.
(2)
Thomas B.
Ichiban is an absolutely 5 star worth place for your money :) I like the sushi plates and the chicken teriyaki is delicious!
(5)
Gray A.
Sushi was good and fairly priced. I spent under $15 for a miso soup, two half rolls and one full roll. I've paid twice as much for the same sushi. Great location right on Garnet ave. Service was average. Only thing I thought was weird was that you pay in the beginning and then sit down so you don't have a proper time to tip. Besides that I definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Dustin L.
This place is awesome to eat there or to take out. Never messed up my order, not even once. Everything is perfectly fresh, they're very courteous and happy. In and out every time quickly. Love this place, wish there was more like it around the city of San Diego. "Vote with your dollar"
(5)
Judy S.
What Happened!? Edamame old, second rate quality, bruised, poor color and unhealthy looking. Miso soup no flavor, Caterpillar roll avocado turning brown, Tuna sashimi, Eight bucks!? It was far from the fancy tuna! I believe it could have been frozen or why wasn't there any flavor, low quality? Scary thought, thank goodness I didn't get sick. Yes, I waited 6 hours to write this to make sure. Just isn't the same quality as it used to be. Interesting when there aren't any Japanese sushi chefs!?! No Japanese people working the day we were in. Hmmmmm. Parking is a challenge in PB, prepare to walk a few blocks and lock your car. A few blocks north lots of brake-ins.
(1)
Fabiana M.
For the quality of the food and sushi, the price is very good! We like the servers a lot and how great the food taste, plus the happy hour prices are the best in PB. Our family dine there at least once a week.
(5)
Jessica A.
I have to say I'm pretty shocked by the decent reviews because there is no way that this is a 4-star sushi restaurant. My husband and I decided to stop by for lunch since PB Sushi was not open yet. The second I walked in, my nose was filled with what can only be described as the smell of cat food. Mixed with nasty. But, seeing as we had a limited amount of time and a hankering for sushi, we thought we would give it a go against my better judgement. We ordered 4 rolls and in my opinion, only one was edible. The yellowtail was so fishy and discolored, we sent the roll back and they didn't even bat an eye. That scares me. She brought me back my refund without me even asking. Im guessing it happens a lot. We are in the land of plentiful sushi here in SD, so I would recommend going to any one of the other 10,000 sushi restaurants here. I mean, unless you like the smell of cat food.
(1)
Kelsey S.
Sushi was just whatever and there was PLASTIC wrapping in my sushi disgusting! Never coming back here again. One of the worst experiences I've ever had at a sushi restaurant.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Toni B.
Best Sushi spot in PB. Can't beat the prices. So much food, for such little cost and delicious. I have been going to Ichiban for years and I'm never disappointed. My family and order Calamari, Crunchy roll, and the chicken bento box that's always on special. And we share among the 4 of us. The only bad part about it is the parking, you're lucky if you can find parking right in front of the restaurant.
(5)Steve W.
Always great specials, big quantity servings, and above all...good taste. Order the spicy mayo as a side dipping sauce....creamy and soooooo good....mmmmm!
(5)Alessandria R.
The ordering system is weird. You pay first before you sit down. Not your typical sushi restaurant. However...after nearly walking out because of the weird first impression I'm glad we stayed. The sushi rolls are HUGE and delightful. Fresh, good taste & textures. I will be back. Price is cheap too. I paid $6-8 per roll. A surprisingly good sushi joint. Now I can believe the 4-star hype. Definitely recommended for a casual sushi dining experience. Update: went back for lunch and found the large benro boxes were a great bang for my buck as well.
(4)Mike F.
Super cheap and fresh! Love this spot. Go for happy hour which ends at 7pm pretty much everyday. Kiren on tap for 2$
(5)Richard C.
Thus is great sushi and and very reasonable prices. This is first place that serves cilantro. Which made the sushi really yummy. They also have sukiyaki.
(4)Laura L.
Takes just like grocery store sushi. Don't bother. Very disappointing. We ordered four different rolls and all of them tasted like paste. Prices super cheap. I guess ya get what you pay for.
(1)Dino C.
Been going here for years. Even though it's been months since I've been back, my coworkers and I love going here due to the food selection, the quality, and the price. We do get full eating here. . .try the Curry...big plate! Parking can be a bit of a challenge since it's located in PB but worth it during lunch. Sorry, haven't tried it out for dinner. So, yes, recommend this place and also Niban in Kearny Mesa area.
(5)Elisa E.
I'm fairly new to sushi, so my review should be taken with a grain of salt. So far, I've tried a handful of places (Sushi Deli in Kearny Mesa, Ra Sushi downtown, and Mika Sushi). This place is definitely my favorite - they have great specials on sushi before 7PM every night and you can get some cheap sake to go with it. Definitely try the Paradise roll, which has tuna, avocado, salmon, and crab mix. Delicious! Important: They close during the afternoons on Saturday / Sunday, which is understandable since it's dead quiet.
(4)Melissa L.
My husband and I live in the area and Ichiban is a regular in our week night dinner rotation. We like it because it provides a casual, affordable, consistantly tasty, sit down hot meal with no fuss. Some of our favorites include the chicken katsu curry, stamina noodle soup, lion king roll, and dynamite roll.
(4)Zulma O.
Super fresh and affordable. Went here with my boyfriend and his mother and for 3 rolls and a bento box we only paid 30 some. The bento boxes are a great deal! My favorite roll is the salmon. Like I said, super super fresh! Great date place and their service is super fast. Will definitely make this one of my regulars.
(5)Jay G.
Food was good for the price. Not the best sushi money can buy, but I came here because it was cheap. Only downside is that it is in PB, so there's a chance you may have to deal with a drunk asshole. I took my family here twice and once there was a very large guy who was drunk making a scene.
(4)Glo A.
The Sushi tasted good last night until this morning, when I started to feel awful with Stomach flue... Wash you hands Ichiban people !!!!
(1)Breanne T.
I like Ichiban because it's further down Garnet, away from the craziness of the bars. I came here with a few friends for dinner and to catch up so it was the perfect spot. If we wanted to get crazy with sake bombs though, I think a different sushi place on Garnet would be better for that. The best thing about Ichiban PB is CHEAP. For less than 10 bucks, I got the mixed sushi combo which came with 4 pieces of CA roll, 4 pieces of spicy tuna, and 6 pieces of nigiri, plus edamame and miso soup. Some of the nigiri pieces tasted a little fishy and I could tell it wasn't fresh. But I guess you get what you pay for! You definitely get decent sushi and a good amount for your money!
(3)Richard C.
Previously reviewed this place but quality seems to have slipped...sushi happy hour is great deal but fish was not fresh...much better places for sushi despite discount prices...bento box still great deal along with happy hour beer prices at $3 for large Saporro! Service mixed, not very attentive staff. Stay with specials but go elsewhere for sushi...they need different fish vendor for sure...
(3)Ryan B.
Low. Quality. This sushi has the art and flavor of a Big Mac, and I think I would rather have the Big Mac. The quality of the ingredients is just not there. The fish did not taste fresh and one of our dishes came out on a soggy plate of torn lettuce. This could be the worst sushi I have ever eaten. The wait staff was friendly, but the lady at the counter is painfully slow. I question the standards of the 4-star reviewers.
(2)Amanda W.
Great food and great service. Sometimes can be a little crowded, but overall a wonderful little hole in the wall sushi place.
(4)Asianboi T.
Really yummy place not expensive to eat sushi or bento boxes my favorite are the rolls and chicken katsu and etc. I recommend lion roll and Diego roll my favorite is crunchy roll and Baja roll and etc The bentos box are yummy like teriyaki and chicken box
(5)Mark V.
We were surprised by the great reviews of this place. The service was acceptable but the food itself was a let down. The lion king roll wasn't deep fried properly and the tempura had a dough-like texture. The nigiri was mediocre at best as the freshness wasn't there, at all (tasted like it was a day old). I ordered miso soup as well, which you'd fine comparable to the miso packets you buy at Von's...The Asahi wasn't chilled to an acceptable temp but I'm being nit picky at this point. I don't recommend this spot unless you're looking for a drunk meal in the middle of the night. I'm sure the food tastes phenomenal then.
(2)Taimane U.
I came here with high expectations and I got some really bad udon and an on fried shrimp roll. My udon tasted like they put water in a broiler with some vegetables and som shrimp tempura and they just dumped a packet to make it taste like beef broth when it was just blah. The staff was nice but the sushi was ok but definitely not fresh and also on the udon the noodles had no taste at all.
(2)Amber C.
I'm a regular to this and the Niban location on Clairemont, it's my favorite sushi place in SD. The albacore supreme is the bomb! Expect a little bit of a wait during prime hours though, this place is popular.
(5)Sandra G.
I like this place. They're alright. Decent/Ok sushi. Awesome price. Quick service. Friendly service.
(5)Bob W.
Been coming here since the early to mid 1990's and I still don't know why . Maybe because I hope that it will be better this next time, maybe cause it's nostalgic, maybe because its familiar, maybe because its one of the few options out there for lunch. Another thing that is familiar is what it does to me the day after I have their Teriyaki Chicken combo specials. I usually get the quick trips to the bano. It's been this way for the past 15 years or so. Because of this I only go here every other year or so but now I'm still reeling two days later after my last trip. This one is severe.be I'm giving them two star cause the food is just meh, and I can't prove or pinpoint that this last visit in mid Dec 2014 was what gave me this stomach bug/food poisoning. It is winter so it could just be a stomach flu bug, but because of past experiences, I'm raising my eye brows. Every time I go here I'm suspect on the possibility there's cross contamination occurring with their food practices and their temps. I once sat at their sushi bar in the past and noticed that the thermometer reading was quite high, I passed it off as it being dinner rush. So for the food, it's barely two stars. The teriyaki chicken and sauce is the same as it was in the 1990's, lacking any real depth, all dark pieces without any breast, uncooked mushrooms and watery zucchini. Glass noodles, California roll, iceburg lettuce with a poor ginger dressing, and a cold (coolish) surprise. The surprise this day was intimation crab with some small pieces of octopus in a salad style form. Hate to say it I'm suspect of it all. I consider this my community and I want this place to step up. I know you know your business and what pricing/quality works for you, but with that, I hope you continually train your employees on food safety and temp safety. PB resident.
(2)Jordan K.
I'm a big fan of ichiban... I'm writing this as I'm sitting at the bar with my phone in one hand and $17 worth of amazing sushi, miso soup, cucumber salad, some sake and a sapporo. That's right my friends (all 4 of you that I have on here) it cost me $17 for all this. Paradise roll is bomb, and everything else I've had here is as well. I've been coming here since if was 14.. I'm 24 and it's still just as great. The staff is always super friendly and this is by far the fastest service I've ever had from a sushi place. So I may be getting some Fukushima radiation as we speak.. so 10 more years down the line I may not be so stoked on seafood but for now... I highly, highly recommend Ichiban :-)
(5)Angela P.
I've been coming here for almost 10 years. There are not enough words to express how much I love ichiban. This place is my go to sushi spot above everyone else in San Diego. I love the shrimp crunch roll, their chicken teriyaki, miso soup, and I get so excited for their monthly specials. They also I have adorable $2 coupons they give away with every purchase during December. No sushi place will ever make me as happy and feel at home like ichiban.
(5)henry m.
Think Sushi diner: cheap, unpretentious, almost decent quality. You get what you pay for here. That is the quick and dirty. Now for the detail for you aficionados out there. Maguro sashimi: fresh decent yellowfin decent sized cuts. Nigiri was not secured properly and the rice was a little loose. You can easily get breaks from a regular grab with the sticks (yes, I know nigiri is supposed to be eaten with hands traditionally). The nigiri also did not pass the seasoning test when checking under the fish. For those of you unfamiliar with this test, all nigiri should have a smidgen of wasabi on the rice directly under the fish. Hamachi could have been better quality but like I said, middle of the road but not bad. katsu was perfectly cooked but not amazing and the shumai was on the small side. This place is great for a quickie lunch break on the cheap and take it for what it is. If you want higher quality and an amazing sushi experience this is not the place for you.
(3)Marisa P.
Loved this place while on vacay! The fish was super super fresh, which is what I had been hoping for so close to the coast. The rolls were very affordable, and for soup, beer and sushi this was the perfect place to just relax and enjoy a good meal. Every roll I tried was delicious, and even though I was full I would keep eating because it was that good. The staff was always nice, and the tables were comfy too. The way the tables are sectioned off it would be a good place for a larger group, and the volume level is perfect for daytime dining with kids also.
(5)Jermaine J.
Great sushi for a very affordable price!!!! Try the Lion King Roll.
(5)Selene E.
This is my favorite sushi place, to be honest. I always order the Dragon Roll and the Fried shrimp roll, which are both extremely good with the spicy mayo! I do have to say that one time I was eating in here I was loving my Dragon Roll until i felt something sharp in my mouth and when I spit it out it was the eel skin and I swear I could feel the scales on the roof of my mouth! It was incredibly scary and I stopped eating the dragon roll because it grossed me out and had cut the roof of my mouth. But anyway, that was only one time. I'm still coming here for all the other sushi, which is seriously to die for.
(4)Becky S.
Ichiban PB is where I go when I want affordable sushi that still tastes great. Though it may not be the best in PB, its reasonable prices and variety of Japanese foods along with the sushi make this a destination of my friends and I. They have great happy hour specials and fill their rolls up with lots of fresh fish!
(4)Mira C.
we ordered the orange bloom , caterpillar, and lion king. it was all so yummy. the price wasn't too bad but the portions were bigger than other places. all the rolls we ordered had 10 pieces vs the normal 8 pieces at other places.. the only thing was that the wasabi was NOT spicy at all...and I love wasabi with my sushi. food was very quick but you order food and pay at the counter first.
(4)Andrea P.
I've eaten A LOT of sushi. Good not great. Food came out quickly and service was just so-so... depending on what you're looking for this place may disappoint. Don't count on service or ambiance; however, if you're into fast and reasonably priced have at it!
(3)Rosellen W.
After walking past this small storefront restaurant on restaurant-crowded Pacific for several months, we stopped in for an excellent lunch. Prices are right, food is fresh, tasty, and nicely presented, service at the counter is friendly. Definitely worth stopping at this one!
(4)Wendi H.
Can't say I would recommend this place. ... You order and pay before sitting down kinda weird. ... Lots of traffic in and out but if you like sushi I have to say you get what you pay for its cheap and low quality fish. I ordered sashimi and it was very fishy smelling for tuna, salmon and yellowtail. I ordered a combo rice *cold edamame *old salad * some weird crab salad loaded with mayo and sashimi I couldn't finish. Sad this place had such good reviews I love sushi but I won't be back
(2)Stephanie P.
Garnet st is loaded with sushi places, so we turned to yelp for help! Ichiban is super casual and you order at the counter and then find a table. We got a sashimi platter which came with 3 types of fish, rice, miso, and crab salad. We also ordered a seaweed salad which was a good size and of course kirin light & sake. The sashimi tasted fresh and was a great value with the "extras" that came with it. Clean bathrooms and good service too.
(4)Amelia F.
Love Ichiban. Cheap (especially cheap beer !!!) and tasty! Great service. This is a go to place for sushi in pb that's casual and you get a good bang for your buck.
(4)Christian M.
Finally found my new spot in PB! Sushi in PB sucks... But not here!! It's affordable and a great value. Part of the reason it can be affordable is that you order at the counter and are brought the food, so there were less employees working. SO STOKED
(5)Hannah F.
I am obsessed with this sushi. The fish is fresh. The service is friendly. The rolls are creative. YUM
(4)Jennifer R.
Im used to service at my table at the sushi spots that I go to but at this one you order before you sit down. When I went the line was almost out the door so I knew it must be a great spot to try. The only slightly disappointing thing was their pitchers of beer, they look huge but then when we actually got it we noticed there was a big cooler in the middle I guess to keep it cold. Besides that its a great place to check out.
(4)Travis B.
per yelp, this was a great option for sushi. and yes it was. i was expecting a little more formality, even coming from scottsdale where the norm is flip flops even at 5 star restaurants. but you order from the counter and they bring out the food. we ordered a sashimi platter with 3 types of fish. the fish was fresh and tasted like sashimi should...cool, soft, buttery. the crab salad side and miso soup side were nice add-on's. we also ordered a seaweed salad and they do not play. it was huge...we were glad we didn't order more sushi! nice prices and staff, clean, good sashimi.
(4)Mary S.
Went on a Tuesday night, menu is on the counter, you order, pay, & then sit down. Service was decent; menu was personally not impressive, basic rolls, & nigiri is only one piece per order. Fish was excellent!
(3)Ian L.
For diners that want to buy their sushi by the pound. Cheap but edible.
(3)Diana A.
If you want cheap, fast sushi this place is the place for you. You def can't ask for anything off the menu here. I did and he just redirected me to special menu. If you like the sushi chef to surprise you...it's not here...I'm thinking the chefs aren't allowed to stray from the menu. Anyway, sushi is ok, cheap. So you get what you pay for. If I was in a pinch, i would return. I'm also not a big fan of pacific beach.
(3)Justine M.
Here are 4 reasons why I love Ichiban, and you should too: 1. It's super ridiculously cheap. Compared to the inflated prices of the likes of PB sushi, this place is a godsend. 2. It's super ridiculously DELICIOUS! Their fish is always fresh and they have an amazing variety of rolls to choose from 3. HAPPY HOUR...You will leave this establishment full, drunk and happy...while spending very few of your precious dollars 4. The staff: super friendly, attentive and able to make suggestions when you're stuck between seaweed salad or miso soup Came in to this restaurant by accident and have been returning ever since
(4)Karen L.
There are so many sushi restaurants on Garnet, but everything about Ichiban just feels like home to me. The overly enthusiastic Japanese woman at the counter is always happy to see you, the food is fresh, fast, and unpretentious, and the pitchers of beer are cheap, especially when there are happy hour specials. What more can a girl ask for from a casual neighborhood sushi place? (Especially now that they are open on Sundays too? Perfection!) The sushi here may not be the most authentic and the restaurant may not be the most hip, but Ichiban is an affordable and consistently reliable place for a good meal. I love that there is a dedicated vegetarian section of the menu in addition to a few creative veggie-friendly rolls. My favorite thing to order is definitely the seaweed salad - it is HUGE for the price and always delicious. I also love the brown rice here. There are new specials every month and you can ask for hot green tea as a beverage option, for free! You order at the counter and seat yourself - sometimes it can be difficult to find a free table before 7 pm when happy hour is still going on, but things always manage to sort themselves out before the food starts coming out.
(4)Tyler P.
If you're looking to get a cheaper round of sushi this spot is a good choice. It's still good fish but at a lower cost. You order ahead of time which is a little unconventional but it's no different than ordering from a waiter. No complaints here.
(4)Bianca V.
This I one of my favorite local places. The food is all good and is all reasonably priced. I've never had a bad meal in the last 18 years I have been coming here. Bothy the sushi and the Japanese food is excellent.
(5)Nikki L.
Pros: Cheap, delicious sushi, quick service. Cons: Small place, long lines a lot, no menus to look at other than the one at the counter so you can't look at menus while you wait in line.
(4)Kathryn F.
This place is a deal. It's not world class sushi but at this price point you will not find higher quality sushi in PB. And happy hour is awesome. Thanks for an awesome deal Ichiban!
(4)Ben F.
This place is probably my most frequent sushi joint in town. The price is amazing, service is quick, parking is frustrating because it's PB (so whatever...) and it is self seating. Nevertheless, the quality of food is really quite good - a unexpected pleasantry for this type of restaurant model. Go! Eat! Love!
(4)Yvonne N.
TWO rolls for $12?! Unbelievable! Definitely not your fine dining type of experience and not the best sushi of all time, but definitely A-OK for the prices they charge. The workers and cashier was incredibly friendly. I was debating whether to give 3 or 4 stars because I was disappointed in my selection of sushi..but I decided to give 4 because they were so awfully nice. That and they provide complimentary fruit candies at the front counter =) Apparently Ichiban and Niban are owned by the same people? So the menu looked pretty similar. I decided not to order what I ordered at Niban (which I've all enjoyed) so I decided on Spicy Albacore Roll ($4.50) and Dynamite Roll ($7). Cheap, right?! But they've ended up on my "Not Recommended" list =( The Spicy Albacore had cooked and raw fish and I didn't enjoy the cooked fish. I wasn't a fan of the carrot, either. Not enough sprouts. The dynamite roll was lacking flavor. I like spicy but whatever they used to make it spicy overpowered the dynamite sauce. There was shrimp and scallop and the shrimp was flavorless and the actual roll underneath the baked sauce came apart. Not good. Recommended: LION KING ROLL! Cream cheese, jalapenos, DEEP FRIED?! Drools.. BAJA ROLL Not Recommended: Spicy Albacore Roll Dynamite Roll However, I'll definitely be back to try their other rolls and items! Lunch bento is only $5!! I tried my friend's teriyaki chicken, which had mushrooms! The teriyaki sauce was really strong but tasted really good. Great variety, cheap prices, friendly service. Love it!
(4)Joanna S.
My go - to place for Japanese food. Service can be slow sometimes but u forget about it once that first bite! Yummmm!
(5)Stevie S.
Great Service and very fresh food! Staff is great, and they have the best hand-rolls in town!
(5)Irina R.
I really like this place! I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and I am hooked. The prices are reasonable, the sushi is fresh. The only thing I really dislike about this place is that you have to get up and go to the counter to order. They don't come to your table, which I thought was strange for a sushi spot (I guess its more like a deli-type ordering process). Also, they have great happy hour deals. Its not the BEST sushi, but its definitely worth the price.
(4)Eric R.
They never have oyster shooters available and when they do it doesn't look like it even has oyster in it, looks like they put soy sauce in it instead of sake. Taste like I'm drinking straight soy sauce (yuck). Service is friendly but slow. Definitely down graded from the last time I came.
(1)Shelly M.
This is the best place in SD to get sushi! I have been coming to Ichiban with family and friends for over 14 years! They have excellent service, great and fresh food and the prices are amazing!!!
(5)A G.
I had heard about Ichiban through a co-worker. It was a unique experience you order your food at the front desk and then seat yourself after. I had high hopes and I was not let down. I ordered the special which was a spicy chicken teriyaki bowl. It's proportions were fair, the chicken was nice and tender, and the sauce was good and not overpowering. I also ordered the dynamite roll. I've had a similar item in the past and this was amazing the fact that there was cooked salmon along with the lobster really helped improve the dish. Also the price is a steal for this roll. I also had a piece of tuna, salmon, & shrimp sushi. It was nice, probably some of the better sushi I've had. I will be sure to come back soon. The prices are fair. They get 5 stars. Visit: 2/17/14 Reviewed: 2/18/14
(5)Kristen S.
Ichiban is awesome because: Top 10 Reasons 1.Super super friendly staff that always remember us. 2. Really good and inexpensive sashimi and nigiri. 3. Really good happy hour. 4. Monthly specials are awesome. 5. Good prices on sake and beer. 6. Good location. 7. Really good miso soup. 8. Garlic edamame 9. Spicy baked california roll...yum! 10. You order before you eat, so you can leave when you are done. No waiting necessary. The only complaint that I have is that I have yet to find a specialty roll that I really love and is really healthy. I'm pretty picky when it comes to sushi. I don't always want my sushi covered in spicy creamy sauce...no matter how delicious it is.
(5)Kris A.
One of my favorite places in PB for years. Great sushi prices, especially for happy hour before 7 PM. The pork Katsu curry keeps me coming back. Not fancy but great food at very reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
(4)Warren C.
The worst part about Ichiban is that they make you order your food at the counter before you get seated. I think it's both silly and rushed, but that's just how it is here. It's comparatively cheap compared to other sushi places, even for PB. I like the seaweed salad a lot here. I tend to avoid items with cream cheese and make no exception for that rule at Ichiban. Parking is on the street.
(3)Erik K.
My go to sushi place in San Diego. No better sushi per $. At happy hour (until 7), their sushi deals are even more outrageous. They put serious work into their rolls. Go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Lana R.
Niban and Ichiban are the places where I normally go to eat sushi. Both are conveniently located. Very satisfying positive quality/price ratio :) With that said, do not bring your first date here: it is not a very appealing place. Other than that, it is good and friendly to my taste.
(4)Jenn C.
I had the July special which was chicken Katsu curry and a side of salad for $6.25. It was cheap, huge, and delicious. Fiance got two sushi rolls...I forget which ones, since I've been eating a lot of sushi lately and it is all starting to blend in. I think maybe it was spicy tuna and albacore. They were both really good. This place is pretty awesome. Really good bang for your buck.
(4)Jessie B.
Good sushi, reasonably priced. It works great for a group dinner because you pay prior to eating so there is no splitting the bill.
(4)Billie V.
Went here this week and the consensus was: Cheap, sloppy sushi that wasn't horrible but wasn't good either. We don't regret coming here but we won't be back anytime soon. For where it's at and what it is, you get what you pay for. Worth it for the college kid on a budget but for the rest of us, keep to other sushi places.
(3)Rico S.
Fresh fish Freshish crab. Solid Happy Hour with Sake for $2.50. Ordering at the counter combined with table service seems odd. Makes one reluctant to order anymore. Not much of an atmosphere but decent value for the price. Two people can dine for under $30. And so I did.
(4)Kelly E.
While it may not be a 5 star 'as good as it gets', I certainly am a fan for the last 13 years. The daily specials are always good and the prices are amazing~ Last night, I fed my friend, myself and her two girls for $36 including tax and tip! I had a $2 coupon/bucks from eating there the night before, and we got a TJ roll, a Paradise Roll, a Crunchy roll, a California Special roll and Chicken Teriyaki. Needless to say we were all stuffed! My go to place if they are open... Oh ya, hours are limited, no Mondays and no Afternoons~
(4)Serena P.
I come here a lot with my coworker for lunch. You walk in order, pay, sit down, and get your grub on. The sushi is decent for what you pay for. The service is quick, our food usually comes out in 10 mins or less. Good service is a hit or miss but that's ok with me because walking in to the place you know you're not going to be catered to. On that note, if you need extra stuff (ie. lemons, extra raddish, etc) ask the waitress when she brings out your drinks because she'll have it for you when the food comes out. They always have some sort of special going on so, check the white board on the wall behind the counter and by the huge menu they have posted up when you walk in. Also, during lunch try to know what you're going to order before you get to the register because they get extremely busy and the line sometimes goes out the door.
(3)Chris J.
I come here with my dad once a week for our lunch break. We always order the special teriyaki bento box or any of the specials that they have out in front. They're always delicious and the price is good for what it's worth! It's the one of the best sushi places in San Diego. The service is great too! Always friendly and consistent.
(4)Jack B.
ICHIBAN is just a great place! My friends and I usually come once or twice a week! It's our regular place to get good dinner for a very good price. It's not 5 star quality sushi, but a great find for a tasty bento box or curry bowl. I would definitely recommend it!
(5)Sean F.
Best sushi in town for the price. Their happy hour has the best deals and their service is solid. Food is made fast and fresh and the bill is always a fair price.
(5)Natalya C.
If you are in PB area and in the mood for cheap sushi and good deal on sake then Ichiban is your place. Their happy hour is from 5-7 where you can get decent sushi rolls for $6-8 bucks with $2 bucks for a large sake. The cup of green tea is free. Not bad ! Sushi rolls are pretty large and you will be full for sure. Service is OK, the atmosphere is simple.. not much too it. They got a few large round booths that can fit 8 people or so.
(3)Jacquelyn W.
Whether you're craving fresh sushi rolls, Sashimi, or a traditional Japanese hot meal, Ichiban earns the top reward for authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine in San Diego. For the past 2 decades, Ichiban has been serving up consistently great, hearty meals for incredibly reasonable prices. No kidding -- I've been coming here almost every week since I was a newborn, and I always leave perfectly satisfied, full, and happy! While I come for the traditional hot Japanese meals, Ichiban's 10-piece sushi rolls and Sashimi deserve high praise. Take the Rainbow roll, for example, beautifully handcrafted with tons of fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp, and avocado, or the Dragonroll -- an amazing spectacle to see and a greater surprise for your taste buds! At around $5 - $8 a roll (depending on the daily specials), these delicious rolls give other sushi restaurants a run for their money, in both price and quality! Now here comes my favorite part: - Hot Chicken Sukiyaki (a delicious rice bowl filled with tender chicken, mung bean noodles, ginger, broccoli, and tofu) - Ginger Chicken Bento box (full of flavorful gingery chicken, rice, egg rolls, and salad), - Chicken or Pork Curry Katsu (an enormous serving of Japanese curry atop a bed of steaming rice, accompanied by a crispy, juicy chicken or pork cutlet), - Stamina Noodles - a hearty portion of Udon noodles in hot broth, along with shrimp tempura, vegetables, chicken, and fish, - Chicken Teriyaki - savory, flavorful teriyaki chicken, accompanied by rice, salad, and egg rolls or sushi And just to make it even better, all these dishes come with a refreshing Miso salad and Miso soup. At only $5.95 - 7.95 per order, I can't believe you're not already running to place your order! Ichiban is definitely in my top 3 favorite restaurant lists. Its trendy setting, clean atmosphere, warm service, and hearty food will definitely put a smile on your face!
(5)Devin B.
Ichiban is our goto Sushi spot. Best handrolls around. Also the best philly role in SD. It is open until 10pm and they will serve you even if you walk in at 10pm. The staff is friendly. The value is unbeatable. Really, what's not to like. p.s. the calamari appetizer is great!
(5)Tyler S.
The go to sushi place in PB. It's reasonable prices, fresh sushi and quick service. All of the sushi is great but try the stamina noodle soup! It's a piping hot bowl of tons of yummy stuff including wonton, shrimp, breaded fish, pork dumpling, perfectly cooked udon and other some other good stuff. It's really filling and perfect for a cold day.
(4)Isabella N.
Ichiban is AMAZING! Super cheap prices, delicious food, and great service. You order upon coming in, so it's a little different than most sushi places but unless you feel like you need a waiter to take your order, you shouldn't mind! The food always comes out quickly and the servers are very attentive about if you need refills, etc. If you order to go, they are really on time. Once at 9:45 pm my boyfriend and I had a sushi craving and called them up to see if it was too late to place an order. Even though I said we wouldn't be able to make it there until 10:10 pm (a little after they closed) the lady was super friendly and said it was no problem. This is my favorite place to go for sushi in San Diego and the prices are really great for students or anyone who would like an inexpensive sushi dinner!
(5)Sarah P.
Usually pretty crowded, so that's always a good sign, especially at a sushi restaurant. GET: -Any of their specialty rolls, especially Tijuana or any rolls with jalapeno or ones that are baked! -Yellowtail is superb here -Gyoza! All of the fish I have had has been very fresh and their portions are VERY generous. Service is fair, salads are meh, small interior, and their "bottles" of wine are like mini half bottles (I learned this the hard way :( ) but all-in-all worth the crowd/wait, great prices!
(4)Mike B.
Prices are good Happy hour is good and the Food is great! the only reason this rating isn't higher is because the service is complete shit. our caterpillar roll was still partially wrapped in some awesome plastic that I got to remove from my mouth, and the beer mug they gave me had lip marks on it and was obviously not cleaned. both of these are not too big a deal, but when I brought the issue to their attention they gave me a new cup and put my sushi in a to-go box, wtf?
(3)Kimmy Y.
I love sashimi. The all sort sashimi mix is definitely worth it. So much food for a great price. Theres rice and soup and salad and SASHIMI. Friends and I got a couple of pitchers. Great prices during happy hour as well. I will DEFF be back. :)
(4)Katerina J.
Very reasonable prices, fast service, great happy hour. Sushi are always of a good quality.
(4)T N.
This is all I used to eat in a world when money was super tight and my sushi taste palate was poor. Atmosphere: Small, casual, inviting. Either order takeout by phone or order at the counter and try to find an open table (12 tables probably). Draws in the usual PB college folks that live in the area. Food: Good eats for its price. Udon, fried gyoza and chicken teriyaki are good. The fried yellowtail rolls, baja rolls, baked lobster and calamari are my fave. The sashimi itself is bleh -- I don't suggest ordering it. The cali and spicy tuna rolls are good, too. Price: Again, nothing spectacular but great for its price. Service: I believe I've only seen one Japanese man and several other races of men making the rolls. They're all quite friendly including the waitresses. These waitresses serve you the food if you order dine in at the counter, and come refill your water. You still order at the counter. Good luck ordering over the phone if you have special requests. There's a grumpy Asian woman that gets impatient; she's usually always behind the counter. I now come here when I'm in the P.B. area and crave cheap sushi. I believe they're closed on Sundays, between lunch and dinner, and close early at 9pm.
(3)Lacy D.
Not too shabby. I like how you order before you sit down and there are pictures of all of the rolls and specials. Definitely fair prices ($6.75 for 2 roll special, $3.25 for a seaweed salad special), good portions, and overall tasty. The customer service was great, too. I'll be going back for sure. Actually, I think their Dragon Roll may have been the best I've ever had or at the very least in the top 3.
(4)Jazzelle B.
I was visiting San Diego for the weekend. I love the city. My husband and I were looking for a place to have dinner and this came up on yelp. We loved it, will be back next time we visit. Which I hope is soon. =)
(4)Michelle W.
They had reasonable prices the food was decent, I never had sushi before and was not sure If i wanted to try raw fish yet so I had the veggie roll for starters it was okay. I really liked the veggie tempura and the salad. I also tried the fried shrimp and chicken teriyaki that my boyfriend had, it was good. I Will come back again.
(4)Pippa B.
This is my and my husband's go to place for fresh and inexpensive sushi. Although the parking can be close to impossible depending on the time of day and day of the week, it's well worth it. I love their daily specials and service is ok. Sometimes the servers don't give you extra plates when they give you your sushi order, you have to ask for it. Since the place is small, it annoys me to hear some of the staff speaking Spanish while I'm eating Japanese food. Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine.Great food, great prices, but ambience can be improved a bit in that area I mentioned.
(4)Karcha B.
One of the better value sushi's in the area. If your like me and don't want to shell out tons of cash for a meal but still want to eat sushi, this is the best to go to in PB. I've only gotten take out. I believe they have "happy hour" specials if you dine in. The staff is really great as well. Very friendly. It may not be the best quality, but is still really good. Oh yeah, when you walk in you could see there monthly special for the month, which is an added bonus. And I'm very appreciative they take all 4 major credit cards (including Amex)
(4)Suzie C.
If quantity and price are your concern, than this is the place for you. I will never return, I could not even rip through with my teeth some of the sushi. It was disgusting!!!
(1)Anna C.
Keeping in mind that this is a cheap sushi place, I don't really expect great quality fish... but it really shouldn't have been that mushy. =(
(2)Princeton J.
Yeah for this place!!!! This is my second time here and I ended up being super stoked.... I did not eat in there, I did take out!! I called about thirty minutes in advance to pick up. The lady answering the phone has a heavy accent but... its all good.. she understands you, it is just hard to understand her.....but she is SUPER NICE.... okay so, if you don't have a menu, go on line, of course, but search Ichiban sushi menu pacific beach and under something like menunista they have the whole menu listed.... Its not like top of the line sushi, but it is good and very flavorful and doesn't send a chopstick right through your wallet... HAAAAAAAAAA HERE ARE MY FAVORITE DISHES.... grilled spicy California tuna roll (spicy) TJ roll (spicy sauce and yummy) seaweed salad... green and yummy soft shell crab roll chicken katsu dinner tempura vegetable Coolness... I hope you like because I am a lifer at this joint... I can't comment on the service because I never dine in, I opt for the beach blanket on the sand watch the sunset and eat my sushi kind of atmosphere instead!!!!!
(5)Larissa H.
I've been eating here for 20 years!! I used to live in PB and would eat here minimum of 3 times a week. Having bought a house inland, my fiancé and I make the dive back to Ichiban a few times a month and miss this place desperately. Our local sushi place is far inferior and far more expensive. Ichiban give you giant rolls, that are consistently delicious every time, for an unbeatable price. Sushi is so good I want to hug the entire staff. hands down best sushi in SD. We love you Ichiban!!!
(5)Ash F.
This place is a 'to-go' sushi joint with competitive pricing. Although the prices on the online menu aren't updated and I noticed they were raised when I went in the other night. The spicy mayo here is onolicious! I am a fan of the spicy albacore roll, especially when it's less then $5 for 8 pieces!! As for apps the monkey paws are delish! Service is always outstanding and the girls that work here are very friendly!
(4)Sasha U.
Visit this location and the one in Clairemont pretty frequently. They have a rotating set of specials usually a dollar or two off menu price and a couple special sushi plates every month. I'm a fan of the Oyako Don, grilled chicken egg on a bed of rice which comes with miso soup and salad. Don't forget, free hot tea with your order!
(4)Wen L.
It's a decent place for PB sushi, nothing to wave about! Good lunch deals, but nothing exceptional..
(3)JiorDahno M.
one of my favorite casual sushi places in SD! been here countless times, often with my roomate when we were hungry and tired of grilling steaks. Ill review based of my latetst venture there. me and two friends decided to get sushi before a night at the bars and I brought us here. 4 rolls, and a hot sake for 33$?? thats the begining of a great nite. The TJ roll is my absolute favorite, if you like spicy then this is your roll. The baked philadelphia roll is a mess to eat but great as well. cheap sushi but the quality is solid, service is fast, and your down the street from the bars.
(4)Jennifer C.
Small hole in the wall joint the gang and I found to eat our last dinner before we headed back home. Glad we found this place...by this time in our trip we were all running low on funds and were looking for a yummy, yet affordable spot to eat. I saw this place on Yelp..they had great reviews and noticed they have happy hour too so I had to check it out!! I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for being reliable Yelp squad! They had such reasonable prices and food tasted so good. I got a huge udon bowl for $5.95 only!! Couldn't even finish it all. I wasn't feeling well so I stuck with a hot soup. The rest of the gang ordered some sushi but no one paid more than $10-12 and we were all happy and full :) The staff was super friendly, too. I think we were a minute past the happy hour time but she still gave us the HH price :) Thank you for that! Street parking. Highly recommend!!!
(5)Rachel C.
Have come in a couple times on the weekend. We didn't hit the happy hours so the rolls were about $6.50-$10. The rolls weren't made well and we're falling apart, but the fish seemed fresh and the sashimi was ok. Bummer that you have to order and pay before you sit down, when you are meeting friends this causes food to come out differently. Also getting back in line for another pitcher or drink was lame. Not my favorite in PB, but not bad either. They have tables that can accommodate large groups if you get there at the right time.
(3)Grace Z.
The great thing about this place is that the portion sizes of the food are so big. I recommend coming on an empty stomach. The quality of the food was decent. I think that because the portions are so big- it lacked a bit in the flavor/ freshness of the food in general. The one down side is that they make you order before you sit - this caused some confusion with food since it came out at different times. When we wanted to order another item, we had to wait in line again. The atmosphere of the restaurant was chill since they have comfy sofas and you get to pick where you sit. The actual location is perfect for PB hangouts.
(3)Flippy A.
If you have any palette at all, avoid this place at all costs. They can't even make a spicy tuna roll. That's sushi 101, my friend. The most disgusting piss pot sushi I've ever had. Someone once told me this is a PB favorite. It just confirms the fact that the people of pacific beach are just a bunch of shaved apes masquerading as humans. Go to Mister Sushi instead, a few doors down. Tell 'em Flippy Amberson sent you.
(1)John D.
This place is on garnet ave so parking at be a pain. The place was empty today but typical busy. The severs were very nice. The sushi is by far not the best in San diego. It reminds me of grocery store sushi in all honest... Actually i have better sushi from grocery stories. I will say the previous times i had the sashami was good... I not sure if i would go back hear for sushi..... For the price of what I ordered, I can get much better sushi.. Maybe it was an off day for them.
(2)Garrick O.
Mmmmm..... Good Sushi is pretty good for how cheap it is and great when you have a group because you order and pay before you sit down, so no check showing up and trying to figure out who did not put enough in the pot. They have a really gret special every month this month was BOGO on the appetizers. I got the Sashimi salad which was really good it was actually seared slices of ahi on top rather than just raw sashimi but was very good. I will be frequenting this spot more often the price is right to satisfy your sushi needs with out breaking the bank dinner for two is easily done for 20 bucks Since this place is so cheap don't expect to get the premium quality fish it is frozen fish and thawed, but still very good and they have some really great rolls.
(4)Jessica T.
This sushi joint is the best in town. The prices are wonderful, and the food is divine. However, it's pretty crowded there, and very hard to find parking.
(4)Tien N.
A sushi snob might discount this place as being inferior just by looking at the prices on the prices, and perhaps it may be due to the low expectations that I had coming in here, but this place is at least as good as other sushi places costing at least 28.13% more. $15 for two people was more than enough to keep me full and satisfied--and this is coming from someone who had 50+ pieces of sushi spread over 2 rounds less than 30 minutes apart: youtube.com/watch?v=4pNJ…
(5)Laura C.
This place is amazing! Their sushi is so fresh and affordable! It has unique flavors that are very tasty. The best rolls, in my opinion are: orange blossom (if you like fresh, raw fish), baja roll (unique flavors with cilantro) and Spicy grilled yellow tail (warm roll).
(5)Carolyn K.
My friend and I always stop by Ichiban after a shopping trip to Buffalo Exchange (: They have wonderful specials that satisfy our sushi cravings without hurting the wallet too much. Also, when you get their sushi to go, they give you a small cup of edamame and another cup of miso soup (without the hot water). Such sweet service!
(4)Liz R.
Instantaneous service and awesome sushi. The place is small and low key but don't let that fool you. There are so many sushi places on Garnet Ave. we definitely made the right choice with this place!
(5)Cynthia A.
This place is cute! I didn't like sushi until I came here. Their variety is great. I die for their DRAGON ROLL. If I want dragon roll, I will seriously come across town just to have it here. I also love that it's got the super-size table by the front which is awesome when you want to eat with a large group of people. Not as cheap as Hillcrest Ichiban, but definitely more attractive. Best in PB!
(4)david s.
The sushi was MEH.. nothing special to write home about.. the service was Bland and non-existent, No water refills or check ups... needless to say i didnt leave a tip, but i felt hungry an hour later due to the fact that the sushi didnt fill me up..
(3)Sunny W.
Its near the beach (touristy) + very cheap for sushi = mediocre food Not worth your time if you want good quality sushi.
(2)Scott U.
Ichiban, if you know it, delivers you exactly what is should for what it is. It's cheap, the service is lightning fast and the food is good. I'm not sure I would go here for a top-drawer sushi experience, but I go to Ichiban for their Bento boxes or other specials and when I want a quick casual bite to eat. There is always a good energy in the place.
(4)Rob D.
Ichiban offers okay, sloppy sushi... but the prices are incredibly low, you get more than you pay for, and its incredibly fast. You walk up to the counter, order, and your food gets delivered to you 5 minutes later. The food all tasted great, but the sushi rolls are made in advanced, and their soups had everything but the kitchen sink in them... not something that is necessarily bad, but some of the flavor combos were odd. For 6.95 you get 10 pieces of exotic rolls... but keep in mind, the fish quality isn't perfect, and the mayo overload is a bit over the top. But still, the flavors are good, and you get a lot of food. All in all though, I'd go back here, it's fun, fast, and cheap... It's a good lunch spot.
(3)Brad L.
Still love it! Very consistent. Great people
(5)Christian B.
Very good sushi, one of the best in PB. Eating in is not super cozy but the food is great and can be picked up after a simple phone order. Prices are very good for the amount of food you get.
(4)Rick S.
In San Diego, there seems to be two main "fast food" Japanese cafes that people talk about. One is Sushi Deli, which now has THREE outlets since the one Downtown first opened. The other is Ichiban PB. Note that Ichiban PB has another outlet called Niban in Clairemont, but Ichiban PB has that "walkup-n-order" deli style cafe with very quick service. Since I used to live in PB in the early 90's, Ichiban PB has standed the test of time and for PB that really is something to say, considering the restaurant turnaround there. It's located on the busiest street in PB, Garnet Avenue and parking is very limited. Be aware that this place is PACKED during lunchtime! Seating is limited and there are long lines at times. But...that wait is well worth it when you try some of the delicious entrees and sushi. You can also order take-out the same way and once again the speed of your order being done is very quick. From a simple and well thoughtout menu, you have your choice of any entree from Chicken Teriyaki w/Fried Seafood to the more authentic "bento box" Japanese meals. The sushi also can range from your authentic maki-style to many different and unique types of rolls. Each combo meal also comes with a free drink. Every day, there are different specials that you can see from the window up front. Estimated cost of entrees is anywhere from $5.75 to $8.50 depending on the combo you order, and from $4.50 to $8.00 for the types of sushi. Sashimi plates are obviously more expensive. If your budget is light, but you're craving good Japanese-style food, I recommend Ichiban PB.
(5)Oliver A.
Ichiban PB is the place the place that I go too for a awesome affordable lunch. I highly recommend looking in the window for the daily specials. For less than $10 you can get a great lunch. My coworkers and I always go. The staff is always friendly.
(4)Chris Y.
The price, the fish quality, the service, the cleanliness and the people that come here prove one thing! 5 STARS!!!!!
(5)Albert W.
"Ichiban" in Japanese means "#1" or "the best", and it really is the best value for sushi in PB. Maybe not "THE BEST" sushi, but hey, you get some pretty good grub for the prices you pay at Ichiban. Our hero arrived to find a line from the counter to the front door. This place is busy on weekend nights! Order at the counter, pay with cash, and hope that there's enough seating for you and your guests during busy hours. While waiting, it's interesting to make small talk with the waitresses wiping down your table. Whether it's the one real Japanese employee working there, or the woman who studies feng shui in her spare time, the waitresses are all very warm and helpful. And... there's a chair in the single-person washroom. Is this for improving the feng shui, or do some patrons just enjoy lounging in the washroom for fun? PROS: - Excellent value for decent sushi - Ridiculously cheap sake during happy hours before 7pm: $1 for small warm sake and $2 for a large warm sake! Now you don't have to pre-drink at home for a PB pub crawl! KANPAI!!! - Very friendly waitresses CONS: - There's too much demand for Ichiban's cheap sushi, leading to a bit of a wait and some lengthy lines
(4)Christiane D.
I am a huge fan of Ichiban in Pacific Beach. They always have been so incredibly nice and welcoming once you walk in the door. The walk-up and order option gives you the sense of quickness, but does not lack in quality. Everything they make is "made to order" and always warm when it gets to the table. What I really love is they use whole pieces of fish for the hand rolls. Most places use a mash up, but Ichiban strays and brings you the full-fledged fish. They also don't skimp when it comes to portions; they give you what you pay for. Their sashimi plate is the most affordable in the city. They have great prices which makes sushi affordable, good, and quick. If you are looking for beer and sake, their happy hour prices are great, but you got to get there early because a line will grow quick. They also have a happy hour sushi menu and always a monthly special, whether it be a food item or beverage.
(5)Cicro T.
This restaurant is recommended for ones that not know about Japanese food too much since the price is reasonable. The quality itself is not so good... It may be a good place to try out if you want to have something different than usual.
(1)Cara C.
This place is alright... Happy hr prices are just right for those who want to fill their tummies on OK sushi. I have to say tho they were definitely chintzy on the meats in our rolls. One roll I had was supposed to have tempura shrimp tho I had a VERY hard time finding it. We also ordered a soft shell crab roll that was really lame. It had the least amount of soft shell crab Ive ever seen in a spider roll. They have also changed the ordering style of the restaurant. It used to be full table service, now you had better know what you want when you walk in (especially if their is a line), as you order first at the counter and then are served at your table.
(2)Jeff L.
Decent sushi - not the best I've ever had, but decent for PB. Happy hour is inexpensive and very low key. Order and pay at the counter and then sit down and they bring you your food. They did have the MLB playoffs on two TVs and football on another. Can't go wrong with that!
(2)Brittany B.
Decent cheap sushi and fast service
(4)Steve S.
Love this place. I work from home and live nearby so I go there about 3 times a week. Very consistent food, huge sushi rolls, at a fair price. Staff is great and always have smiles on their faces. I try all the other PB spots but keep coming back to here.
(5)Taylor M.
Very good prices and good sushi. I would give 5 stars except the service is not existent. The cashier is usually quite rude and has gotten my order wrong. Nice atmosphere though and the actual waitresses are nice. They just don't do anything once they hand you your food.
(4)Heidi P.
This place is SO much cheaper than most other sushi places...so I was skeptical of the quality of the food. I was pleasantly surprised--the food was great!
(4)Chris J.
This place is deff worth going... I love teryiaki and i havent found anything as good as this in San diego.. check it out!
(4)Vicky N.
The prices are pretty cheap here! My childhood best friend had taken me here before heading out to a concert. It was pretty packed, but the wait wasn't too long. We had ordered two rolls and Chicken Katsu Curry. I heard that a lot of UCSD's students go here to get their sushi fix. Decent.
(4)Jeff L.
This place provides a solid experience, as long as you go for the right reasons. It's for those times you want sushi, but just don't want to pay $40 and up per head. Me and a buddy will go, split 3 rolls, get a couple of soft drinks, and get out of there for $25 total. They don't have true table service, rather you order at the counter and they bring the food out when it's ready. Some have said to be weary of inexpensive sushi, but the flip side of that argument is that because the prices are cheap, the place is always busy, and the fish moves rapidly. My favorite non-standard item is the spicy grilled yellowtail.
(4)Daniel N.
Dayum. 50 pieces of sushi for $25?! Hella cheap! This place is really only worth it for happy hour, which, I believe, is between the hours of 5-7pm when they got a list of sushi rolls, 10 pcs each, going from $4.50, some a bit more expensive than others, but you get the drift - this place ain't gonna jive you on no quality sushi, they straight up about being real on quantity over quality and they good at it. You not gonna find melt-in-your mouth, tongue orgasm inducing toro here, but on the flip-side, this place specializes in the most textbook style, bro-ski, kowabunga, hang-10, you're-gonna-definitely-know-you-in-PB type sushi rolls. So bring on the fake crab, deep fried, cream cheese stuffed, philly rolls 'cause I ain't expecting caviar, but I do expect to have a damn good time with friends and get hella stuffed on sushi while leaving with my wallet in good shape. And just a tip - come ASAP! This spot is hip with the rush hour crowd, so it gets packed around 530.
(3)George F.
All I can say is their half price happy hour till 7 is absoultly the best bargain for the highest quality food around! Half price saki as well!!! The chicken Katsu is to die for!!!
(4)Heather S.
Out of all the Sushi places there are in San Diego, Ichiban PB is definitely my favorite so far. After you order, the food usually comes pretty fast and it is very affordable! The line to order can get long, but it moves pretty fast. Highly recommended - great food and great price!
(5)Mark S.
Great sushi for the price. A lot of selections and fast service. Only downside are the hours. Numerous times I've gone mid-afternoon to find them closed. Lunch hours are from 11:30-2:30 and then they re-open for dinner.
(4)k f.
It sucks that I had a bad experience here. I rarely if ever leave a bad review and they are super nice but I won't be going back due to one bad experience. granted the place is clean and I doubt anyone ever has the same experience as i do, but I was unlucky and have to find another good value sushi spot. sorry ichiban, granted the food was always good over the numerous years i would go there and the health standards always seemed to be met.
(2)Casey S.
Quality sushi at excellent prices! Ichiban is great. The only downside is the dinner-time line and table wait...which is only 5-10 minutes. Hot food and sushi are both good choices here. The only reason this review is 4/5 is because the service can be spotty. For example, my wife ordered sushi and I ordered teriyaki chicken. The sushi was delivered WAY before the teriyaki, which created that awkward "watching another person eat" situation. Overall, I wouldn't go anywhere else in PB for sushi!
(4)Joseph R.
I'm a big fan of this Asian inspired restaurant, it's been around in PB for at least 20 years. It's good quality, affordable, and quick - the sushi's good. You really can't go wrong with this place, just a casual place to get a bite to eat...you order up front and they bring the food over, no need for a waiter or waitress. If you're not in to sushi there's usually a chicken teriyaki and rice plate that will fill you up. Today I tried something different, I went for the shrimp/curry plate. When the food came out it was completely covered with curry sauce, SO MUCH SO that I used a tablespoon and removed an entire medium sized salad bowl full of the extra curry suace that I didn't eat. Read that again, there was an entire extra bowl full of curry sauce that was unnecessary on top of my meal. This was bizarre, I asked my friend if he thought anybody had ever mentioned this much curry aside was totally unnecessary. Note to Ichiban staff, please give me less curry sauce next time. Very strange experience, however I'm still a big fan of this place
(4)Craig H.
Awesome Food! We went there while we were camping. It was my girlfriends birthday and the brought out some complimentary ice cream with a candle. I also left some very important bracelets there, which they sent back to me in the post to LA! Awesome. Thanks very much!!
(5)Alexandria S.
LOVE THIS PLACE. As a frequent visitor of PB this place always is consistent and has the best deals. Bring the friends for sake bomb happy hour!
(5)Britney M.
Food was awful. Our edamame was way over cooked, we asked them to take it back and recook it. The chef kept looking at us and laughing after we returned the edamame for the remainder of the time we were dining it was very uncomfortable for us. Very unprofessional and rude, I will never come again chefs are rude and food wasn't good. Terrible experience.
(1)Dave G.
Not the type place I would take an important client or business partner to. The fish, although usually very good, occasionally is just so-so. For example, If I get a mixed sushi dish with say 7 different fish, 1 may not be that fresh, but the other six are fine. If you are just a roll person though you may not really notice. On the plus side, prices are very good, and the staff is always excellent. I usually go for lunch on weekdays, so it is not too crowded. Also, although there are a bunch of sushi places on Garnet and Mission Blvd, I feel none are worthy of five stars. Go to sushi Ota near the freeway or visit Hillcrest if you want the real deal. It will cost more but its only money right ;)
(4)Keighley M.
This used to be my go-to beach meal, until I received the WORST sushi I've ever had and they refused to give me any sort of refund. I got a caterpillar role, and found out when I got a bone stuck in my throat (which I had to pick out in the bathroom with my hand, thank god I didn't have to go to the hospital) that the eel was not deboned. Upon further inspection, I found that the eel was FULL of tiny needle bones, as if the sushi chef had made zero attempt to debone it. I've been eating eel for years and have NEVER had this problem. The worst part was, when I told the server that the eel in my roll looked like a cactus and the roll was inedible, she said that eel is bony and that's how it always comes, and they would not give me a refund or any sort of compensation for having to slobber all over my hand for 10 minutes in the bathroom trying to dig a very painful bone out of my throat. So that's a $10-12 meal that was totally ruined (my throat was so sore afterwards and I was so paranoid about the quality of the fish I couldn't eat any of the other roles I was splitting with my friend). The other rolls I've gotten here are ok, not the freshest or best quality, but edible for the low price To summarize: the food quality is mediocre (this refers to other rolls as well) even for the price, the service is TERRIBLE, and the location/ambience/etc. are nothing to write home about. AVOID anything with eel.
(1)Wanda S.
Out of all the sushi I have eaten in American, Ichiban delivers in FRESHNESS. This place is cheap, delicious, gives generous portions, and has fast service. The owner of this restaurant is Japanese, so its definitely not as spicy as Korean owned sushi restaurant, nor do they minced their sashimi in the sushi.The sushi is stuffed with just fresh pieces of sashimi. I'm deducting a star because of cleanliness. Tip: If there is a long line and you are only with 1-3 people, just skip the line and eat at the bar. The sushi chef usually adds a little extra.
(4)Niki L.
Meh. I've been going here since I was a kid so it's really not a surprise. Average sushi. Average price. Average Service. Happy hour is usually a good deal. I just don't go here to eat sushi normally. I would rather migrate down the street. They are one of the only places around PB that you can just walk in and order a bowl of udon for $6.50. It's kind of a pain in the ass to drive to Convoy after all, I hate traffic. That's pretty much the only reason I come here. Good news is they don't overcook their noodles.
(3)Lyndsay M.
This is my favorite Sushi restaurant in PB. I probably eat here about once a week. It's so nice that you can walk up and order before you sit down. This way you don't have to worry about dealing with a waiter. Huge rolls, great prices and yummy food!
(5)Mateo M.
Tables fill up fast, but it's worth the wait! The food is okay, but the prices are good. The selection is really good for their size as well and the staff is friendly. I like the bento boxes, but their rolls are good and they have nice happy hour specials (5-7pm). They do sell a lot of pitchers of beer. The goods: Cheap, fast and friendly.
(3)Jessica C.
I always have fun at Ichiban...it has a pretty good atmosphere, the food comes super fast, is way cheap, and they have great specials. However... The quality of sushi is pretty low. The fish isnt exactly fresh. The Unagi is pretty good, as well as the shrimp tempura (pretty much anything that is cooked tastes fine) , but anything raw I wouldn't recommend.
(2)Devon C.
Talk about inefficiency at its finest! If you come during a rush, (and by rush I mean there are a couple of people in line in front of you), expect to wait about 10 minutes before ordering or even getting a look at the rolls menu. It doesn't make sense; there is a menu board posted near the register and their specials are not visible until you are at the counter ordering. What this means my friends, is that if you get an indecisive asshole in front of you, not only do you have to wait for them to decide, order and pay, you are also stuck to ponder what might be on the menu. *To solve this, all you'd need is to put a menu with the rolls somewhere near where the glass case is that has the specials on display and to perhaps create a second line for "take-out" customers so that they aren't forced to wait forever as well. It seems that they only hire waitresses who cannot speak a lick of understandable English, so just make sure that if ordering over the phone you know EXACTLY what you want, or else you are screwed. Also, don't bother to ask them what their monthly "specials" are over the phone, because this too is something that cannot be relayed over the phone due to the language barrier. The sushi is really good especially for the price. Once you get passed the long line and sit down, your food comes really fast and the waitresses are good about getting your drinks/miso and/or salad. We come here all the time and as far as sushi goes in PB, this is our favorite place to go aside from getting sushi at PB Bar & Grill.
(4)Elise B.
I have lived in PB for five years and yet to find a better deal for your money than Ichiban. Hands down my absolute favorite place for sushi!! The rolls are very generously sized and are prepared in a very timely manner. Happy hour runs throughout the week for dining-in only, and they offer a variety of rolls on special. When I crave sushi, Ichiban is always my first pick. I've brought many friends here and they are hooked as well. The rolls are delicious!..the wait is not long..and the price is perfect!! I don't yelp often, so when I do, it means that something is really great :-)
(5)Barb L.
I've tried at least twice to order take-out and no one answered the phone in the afternoon. Huh? I took my money elsewhere. I'd call that an epic fail.
(2)Shawn W.
My family has been frequenting Ichiban for the last twenty years and we absolutely love the big plate Japanese meals and friendly service. Huge fan of the fried jumbo shrimp, fried gyoza, chicken teriyaki, Cali rolls and Udon noodles. Ichiban is family-affordable, Japanese food at its best. If your in Pacific Beach and looking for a healthy option for dining be sure to check this place out. (They are located on Garnet Ave. next to the best place for framing and buying vintage posters in San Diego-Aztec Graphics)
(5)Eric T.
recommended by the girlfriend's boss, with the claim Ichiban has the "best crunchy roll" he's ever eaten. we strolled down garnet for some sushi last friday. i have to say that he wasn't wrong, it quite possibly be the best crunchy roll i've eaten. with lots of sushi at a pretty inexpensive price, ichiban gets my praise. something to note, you actually go up to the counter and order your rolls prior to sitting down which actually cuts down on having a server come take your order, i like this idea and i'd like to see more of it, mostly because i'm impatient when it comes to food. so in summation: cheap, fast, good sushi. i'd recommend anyone who works or lives around PB to go check it out if they haven't already.
(4)Dave M.
Quick lunch. Fresh sushi. Odd style of paying before sitting, so remember to bring cash for the help. Overall a pleasing experience. I shall return.
(4)Mark P.
Ichiban is a great little place to go if you have a hankering for good sushi at a reasonable price. Please note that I said "good", not "great" sushi; if you want top quality raw seafood, then go somewhere else. On offer is a wide variety of increasingly fancy sushi rolls. Some rolls are better than others, but all are tasty and pretty to look at; there is one that will appeal to almost anyone. They also serve up other standard japanese fare such as katsu, teriyaki, tempura, and noodle bowls. These are OK too, but the sushi rolls are what we really go there for. The location on Garnet, bang in the middle of downtown PB, is comfortable enough but is unlikely to pick up a Michelin star anytime soon. Parking is sometimes a problem, so expect to walk a few blocks to get there. The service is pretty responsive and everyone there is usually very friendly. We love to go there for cheap, tasty, no-frills sushi.
(3)Sean J.
Pacific Beach has more sushi places than any other type of food, so you have the luxury of being able to discriminate a little more. In the case of Ichiban P.B., it doesn't work in their favor. While the quality of the food is good, compared to the rest, its only average. I started out with a couple of pieces of Maguro which were really fresh and just great. First thing out was the Rainbow Roll which was good and hosed down immediatly. That was followed up by the Soft Shell Crab Roll and the Dragon roll which were disposed of faster than they were created. I ended up also getting 3 more pieces of Maguro since it was so cheap and good. The only real problems with Ichiban P.B are that its not all that conveniently placed and its really nothing special. Other than being a little cheaper, nothing stands out. And they don't even have Sweet Shrimp which is now the standard base measure of a 4 star place. In any event, if you are looking for quality sushi at a low key place, you wouldn't go wrong with Ichiban P.B.
(3)Tram P.
Wow...where in the world did this place come from? Maybe I never thought to step foot in here...but jesus, talk about CHEAP! Not bad tasting either. The food is definitely not your fabulous sushi sit down restaurant in La Jolla, but for PB, it's pretty decent. Two of us got a large plate of sashimi, rice, miso soup, seaweed salad, edamame, and 2x 16oz Kirins for $22. You really can't beat that!!! If you want a 60oz pitcher, it's only $6.00!! If you're more into rolls, they have a large 14 pc platter for $7.50. Now I won't feel so broke everytime I have a sushi craving....mmmm....
(4)Robert ..
Prices are reasonable and portions are generous. They don't have too many good rolls but definitely go for the Fried Calamari Roll and the bento boxes. The Fried Calamari Roll is one of the best single rolls you can get. They also know how to cook eel properly. Downsides are that it's not full service and the rest of the rolls aren't too spectacular. The tempura rolls are pretty good too.
(3)H B.
the bf and i went here for dinner last night since ive been craving sushi for the longest time. the place was pretty much empty except for a couple of tables. we looked over their menu and display of specials and placed our order at the register. they have great specials, and this month's was the chicken katsudon with soup or salad and 6 pieces of CA roll for $5.50! we ordered the special, dragon roll, caterpillar, shrimp tempura and baja roll, 2 sodas--all for $40 but we had a coupon for $5 off fr. the clipper. the rolls we ordered were really good and big. if you like americanized sushi, then this is def the place to go. i don't like raw fish, so i really liked this place. the chicken katsudon was really good too and the bf ate it up. the dragon roll never came out, but we were ok with it since we had alot of food. i told the girl at the counter and she refunded my money. the service was a little lacking since the waitress took a while to re-fill our drinks. all in all, good sushi and great prices. we'll def be back.
(4)Eena A.
When i called it sounded like i called the wrong number she didnt even say the name of the place w/ no knowledge of the menu. Don't order the miso...i didnt realize i would receive powder in a cup it was a take out order but really bummer ...same price as pb and mika id rather stick to them
(1)Bryan M.
Great food, happy hour is awesome. Can be a little on the expensive side, but lots of bars to walk to after putting down some raw fish. Check out the monthly special - this past month it was half off Kirin beer. Can't be that!
(4)David N.
Great prices, food is better then average. I like it
(4)Lindsey M.
Will be back many times.... I was hesitant due to the length of the line out the door but I moved by super quickly. I ordered the 14pc sushi and only paid $9. Those prices just can't be beat. Yeah it might not be the best sushi I've ever had but for the price it was much better than expected. Their happy hour specials are also amazing and so are their daily specials. My friend got a full on sushi and chicken teriyaki plate for $6...now that can't be beat. Seriously skip out on some of the other PB sushi places and hit this one up. Friendly service, great prices and good food...
(4)victoria k.
Been coming here for years. Have been to MUCH more expensive Japanese restaurants -- they don't even compare! I'm convinced that the teriyaki used in the chicken teriyaki dishes is addictive. I've tried a million different ways to make it at home. Can't do it. Best, Japanese in town. And, it's cheap!
(4)Laura T.
I am so disappointed! I used to love Ichiban and would go there once a week until tonight. I absolutely love the Orange Blossom roll and the spicy tuna handroll. However, tonight, I got take-out and the roll was filled with old fatty ginger-colored tuna and had only about two pieces of nice fresh and red tuna in the entire roll. The last few times I went, I had already realized that they started putting very low quality fish into the rolls but take-out tonight was disgusting! I don't think I will return. They have very low prices, I understand that they probably won't put the most amazing fish into the roll but what I found in my roll tonight would be considered fish trash. Again, very disappointed. Raise your prices before you offer something like that to your customers.
(1)Don D.
Great, fast, food. My family and I have been going to Ichiban for many years for the fast service, bottomless soft drinks, and good food. There are no gimmicks or over-the-top Japanese decor. Just a local place serving up good and quick food. You make your order at the register, pay for it, then take your ticket and go find a table. The waitress will come by, take your ticket and drink order. There are a few TV's that will usually have news or a sports game. We usually get some Combo Bento's that come in a large, square, compartmentalized tray, and a few different sushi plates. The tables have a few bottles of sauces, one is soy, the other is the thicker stuff. On busy nights, usually after 8pm you may have to wait for a table. The later you go the longer the outside line will be, but then you have fun and get to dodge the bicyclers and skateboarders. We have little kids so we go there by 5-6pm and get seats with no problem. The parking is along the street and gets full pretty early in the evening. We have had to frequently park on the next block away, but we always find a spot somewhere. Good value, good food, fast.
(4)Michael W.
I'm gonna second what others have said about the weird ordering system. You have to order and pay at the counter, but there are no descriptions of the rolls on the menu until you get to the register, so you have to make a snap decision or risk pissing off the line behind you. Then you get a ticket and they bring your food to your table. The food is pretty boilerplate, with a few highlights. 7-buck rainbow roll, five-buck spicy tuna, both decent and for a good price. The spicy tuna is nice, since the tuna is in large recognizable hunks that are satisfying to chew. The large salad is an awesome deal at $3.50. Sweet dressing, lettuce and veggies with crab and avocado on top. Miso soup was...watery and obviously reconstituted from a cheap powder. But at least it was hot and salty. The fish was fresh and good. The rice, though, an often overlooked aspect of sushi, was gummy and a bit...wrong. But at that price, who can resist? A filing meal for $10 a person. Not too shabby. I'll be coming back.
(3)Sean N.
Friendly, cheap, tasty food! Lion King roll is my favorite. This isn't high end sushi by any means. I also like to get the teriyaki chicken and shrimp tempura bento box. Parking is a 3i+(h! Oh, they always have the best candy by the register.
(4)Jing X.
Actually, I am not a big fan for japanese food, but this, is really good.
(4)Andrea S.
Love the udon they have here. Another suggestion from Mom...she took me here for the stamina noodles...delicious! Huge bowl of soup with thick udon noodles, fish cake (pink with white yummy fish cake!), chicken, one dumpling, breaded fish, broccoli, so much stuff!!! It's wonderful...especially during the may grey weather! BF and I headed over there and he ordered the shrimp tempura soup while I stuck with the stamina noodles. He loved it but was a bit sad he didn't order the stamina as I did because mine had way more stuff in it (I shared tho!) For 6 bucks...plus $2.00 saki at happy hour...do it!!!! Totally worth it!!!
(4)Hilary H.
This is an excellent place to go with friends for a few reasons... 1. Dirt cheap Saki and Beer 2. Good selection of tasty Sushi 3. You order and pay at the counter before you sit down, so no drama over splitting a bill after one too many Saki Bombs!
(4)Amy S.
2.5 stars. I was walking to my car after getting my nails done up the street, saw the sushi sign and realized I hadn't had breakfast at 2 PM.... So I decided to chance it. Inside: Very nice place. Large. Good seating. Staff: Very friendly. Talkative. Bathroom: Clean and not the "back room forgotten bathroom" feeling/look Wait time: Just a few. Food quality: Eh.... I got some shrimp tempura and a side of rice to go for a grand total of about 8 bucks! I love cheap! I got super hungry and ended up chowing down on my rice when I got into the car, and apparently the tape stuck around the lid to my rolls was not tight enough because when some asshole cut me off, just about all of the tempura stuff went FLYING all over my freshly vacuumed car.... Major suck. But, it happens. You can't blame them too much, but the safety of the rolls for transport should have been a little more thought over. When I got them back to suburbia, the rolls had not stuck together and was just a big heap of mishmash. The ginger must have seeped into everything and made it not the greatest. It was alright. Definitely not the best I ever had. The rice however, excellent. I might give this place another try next time I am down in PB or maybe I should plan on staying there to eat it.... but, eh, its decent.
(2)Chris T.
Take Ichiban for what it is and you'll love it. There's no reggae playing, no list of 35 cleverly named rolls, nobody yells "MUSHI MUSHI!" at you when you walk in, the sushi chefs are blatantly Mexican, the waitresses are Brazilian (this is a plus actually), and the TV is always playing Access Hollywood. But that's not why I eat at Ichiban. It's affordable, it's quick, it's not that bad. In fact, it's good. Not great, but good enough to fill that Sushi itch. Get the Sashimi Mixed for $11 with 12 to 15 pieces of salmon, tuna, and yellow tail - it comes with edamame, miso, a fried side of some sort, and rice. The Yellow Tail Special roll is simple and awesome (even more awesome-er at $4.95). Perfect post-surf grinds. Not perfect if you are looking for Japanese people. I take that back, there's one and she owns the place and is super friendly.
(4)Erica F.
My roommate and I have been coming to Ichiban once a week for the past two years and have never walked out with anything less than full tummies and full wallets. This is the best value for your money in PB- look for the monthly special and happy hour prices. The specialty rolls are all yummy (The orange blossom, baja roll, and alaskan roll are amongst our favorites) and the service is always quick after you order at the counter. My favorite thing about Ichiban is that their sushi rolls are jam packed with FISH and not rice, like most places in the area. Ichiban for life!
(5)Karlene C.
It was a chilly night, and the hubby wanted fresh fish, and I wanted something hot, so off to Ichiban we went.. I was in pj attire and didn't want to go way down Garnet, so this place was perfect! I got the shrimp tempura noodle soup, and he got the philly roll. It was very tasty, and we got outta there for less than 20 bucks. Can't go wrong!
(5)Gerry V.
This place is responsible for my sushi addiction hahaha...clean, friendly, fun, delicious!
(5)Eric G.
Sushi rolls are great, and the prices are even better! Seriously, the rolls are about 1/2 the price as the other places in this area. Also, happy hour specials have some great deals too.
(4)Rick P.
Love their fried calamari rolls, so big so good, and their fried shrimp hand roll, mmmm used to go there all the time until i found Niban in clairmont same taste same familiar faces but closer to home, been going there for years, now im in temecula where i search for the next fried calamari roll... lol they are the best
(5)T Y.
I like Niban so much that I decided to check out their sister restaurant Ichiban in PB. They share the same menu and also have monthly special and daily specials which I like. My last experience was good since we didn't need to wait at all (maybe because we went very late) and they gave me a lot of fish. =) The staffs there were all very friendly similar to those in Niban.
(4)Peter G.
Best value and great tasting sushi we've found so far in the neigbourhood. Recommended
(5)Jack H.
I really like this place. I read some of the not so good reviews and it seems the fresh fish is the main problem. I can't comment on that because I go for the great bento boxes and rolls. I eat here at least once a week with my boyfriend and get 2 of whatever specials they have for the day. (They have great specials.) Usually we get one bento box and one roll, which is way enough food for us and we spend about $12. We don't mind ordering at the counter because we know what we want and there turnover is so fast that we never wait for a seat. This place is the best cheap sushi place around and place is clean and the staff is really nice. Surfside is better sushi, but you are paying double price for environment and basically the same stuff unless you sit at the sushi bar.
(4)Vinncent N.
The main reason I like this place is that its really cheap for sushi. They have so many rolls here and they have specials everyday that are a steal. In terms of the food, I don't recommend this place for a date or anything really fancy. It's really down to earth and people here are really chill. I mean what do you expect, its right next to the beach. I have ordered over 15 different roll from this place, and it was all under 60 dollars which is amazing! the one roll that I like is 'The Lion King Roll." It has salmon and cream cheese in it that is fried. it's really good, (in my opinion, probably one of my favorite things on the menu. Now for the other stuff, its just okay. The seafood isn't always at it's prime at this place, but you get what you pay for here, so don't expect too much. My final statement is that this place is nice if you just came back from the beach and looking to eat something fast and good. Its a very casual place and is a great place to take a group of friends!
(3)Carrie M.
Been coming here for years for super cheap sushi and their good saki happy hour. The last few times we went have been less than satisfactory. I know what to expect from "cheap sushi" it was never great, but it was still edible. Last week the salmon tasted off and they switched to a terrible new saki.
(2)Diantha L.
Happy hour is the best here! They have a huge selection, including specialty rolls, and the price is great! My husband and I can get full on sushi for 20 bucks! You order first and the servers bring your drinks and food. It's pretty low-key and quick. And delicious! The only con is that the rolls are not the "prettiest". But, I can deal with a few pieces falling apart in my chopsticks. Oh, and the happy hour prices are only for dine-in, so plan on staying to eat.
(4)Jill H.
Ichiban is the best bargain-basement sushi around. They use fresh ingredients, though they aren't the fanciest and they have the best specials of any sushi in San Diego. You can go in there and get a 14 piece boat, half rolls and half nigiri, that comes with miso soup for $8 Where else can you get such a sushi score? Their spicy-mayo is interesting in the difference from other places -it has jalapenos in it, but it's really good. check out Ichiban PB's monthly special for the best deal you've ever seen in a sushi place, especially one in a good location.
(4)E O.
I LOVE sushi... I mean LOVE sushi... what I DON'T like, is fish bones in my sushi.. I have been here 3 times, and have had fish bones in my sushi 2 times..... not the best track record. what's worse... if you get here on a busy night, good luck finding a table... here, you pay first, eat later... hmmmmmmm....
(2)Jennifer L.
I love Ichiban!!! It is so tasty and I am infatuated with their salmon skin hand rolls. They do it a lot different here and they actually put pieces of cooked salmon (not just the skin) and chop it up inside with a little bit of i think lemon? to dress it up. It was literally the most delicious cooked salmon roll I've ever had. You can never go wrong with their sashimi and their hand rolls are always delicious. Also, it is really really really cheap which makes it totally worth it :)
(4)Nooria S.
Tonight a friend and I had dinner here. We split the large house salad, fried gyoza (pork dumplings), and baja roll (shrimp tempura, spicy crab, cucumber, avacado and cilantro.) The salad was just iceberg but it had cucumber, carrots, avacado, rice noodles and imitation crab. The peanut ginger dressing was amazing. The sushi was delish dipped in eel and spicy sauce. All for $23. I'll be back.
(3)John Dale K.
this place is not high finance, high roller dining. it is basic food, japanese cuisine, and a place that does a damn good job of doing what they do. all of the food is cooked to order, nothing lying around. the food, when it hits your table is always hot. the way the restaurant runs is a little different than most places. you place your order at the cashier when you get there. if there is a table available, you sit down, and when your food is ready, they bring it to you. if it is crowded--which sometimes, the line goes out the front door, you place your order, and you sit in the small waiting area, or even step outside. when they call your order number, it means that you have a table, and your food is soon to follow. the bento trays are always good, they will make specials up every day for lunch as well as dinner, and they do have some nice combo specials. the stamina noodles are to die for--the best thing to eat when you are hungry, want a lot of variety, it's cold outside (yes, it does get cold there in san diego---relative to what it should be--warm) or all of the above. they have always taken good care of me and my family when we eat there. found an article in cuisine magazine before we moved to san diego, and wanted to try this. i have not been disappointed at all.
(5)James H.
Love it the best sushi in san diego. Come every week. Always love the lion king roll.
(4)Rachel G.
orange blossom roll and hot philly roll are my favs. The lunch special is amazing! 10 of each and 2 drinks for 11$. You order at the front counter so not much of a wait, however it does tend to get crowed later in the evening. def. a lunch place
(4)Travis S.
Been back twice. Need to add that they have quick take out (you can call in your order and it doesn't take long even if you don't) and killer daily and monthly specials. Soda is free in July. I hate soda, but dude. Free drinks. Score.
(4)Kylee H.
At Ichiban P B i found my bff, food...This place is amazing!!! My family and I go there every week. I always get the dragon roll. its a good cheap meal.
(5)Tonie T.
I gave it's sister-site, Nibon, one more star because I think Nibon is cleaner than Ichiban. It's my one gripe about BOTH spots, though it seems Ichiban is the grungier of the two. Still, Ichiban holds a special place in my heart because it's the location of my first real date with my now live-in boyfriend. I guess that says he's a cheapskate! ha! We sat in the booth at the very back of the restaurant, held hands the whole time, and shared our food. ;) The food is typical Japanese fare. Nothing ground-breaking, but Ichiban remains a favorite in my heart for sentimental romantic mushy reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with food!
(3)Mr K.
Sometimes nostalgia just isn't enough. Ichiban was one of my regular places to eat at back when I was in school, a long, LONG time ago. Hell, I even bought an Ichiban tshirt when I moved away. I thought the place was brilliant, in a cheap, overly casual kind of way. I mean, they have a bowl of chewy candy by the register. What's not to love? Visiting my old stamping grounds for a week recently, I thought it was par for the course to visit Ichiban again. Walking in, I realize that pretty much nothing has changed in over a decade, including their displays of the day's special in the window. Now, I've never deluded myself into thinking they had decent sushi. I was always about the chicken bento boxes (either ginger chicken or teriyaki chicken, depending on my mood). Most likely because one or the other was always on special, which benefited my (then) cheap, student budget rather nicely. And so it was, that I ordered the ginger chicken bento box special (it's still $4.95 a decade later?) and sat down. I observed the scene. Pretty much the same PB crowd. Some drunk, some not. I scratched my head at the people who came in to pick up their big orders of sushi. Why would anyone order sushi from here? I was dumbstruck. And in my dumbstruckness, my bento box was placed before me. Now, my bento box looked exactly the same, except for the fact that I see now how bad the quaility of the chicken is now. I'm not saying Ichiban's standards have gone down, I'd just say mine have gone up. Not being a college student anymore probably helps. Still, I sat there and ate, quietly realizing and being at peace with the fact that this was probably going to be my last meal at Ichiban ever. The chicken was tough, and the taste was meh. The egg rolls were nondescriptive. And to make matters worse, nothing was on TV that was remotely interesting. I realized that in a case like Ichiban, you get exactly what you pay for. Kind of depressing. In your mind, you want it to be as good as you remembered, and you realize it isn't. Like waking up to reality once the beer goggles have faded away. Sad. It's been nice knowing you, Ichiban, but no, I'm not going to ask you for your number.
(2)jessica h.
Love the bento box specials. For $6.00 you get a lot of food that fills you up. The food is always delicious.
(5)Jeanae K.
Great food, I Love it !
(4)JL K.
Great lunch specials. The Ginger chicken is awesome as is the teriyaki. I haven't had the sushi. But the cooked items have all been good.
(4)Al A.
Used to hit this place a lot during my college days. My buddies from SDSU loved this joint. The place would be crowded and you'd have to wait for a table. I usually went with a larger group so that would be a bigger bitch than it had to be. The food was okay, not ground breaking. The cool thing was watching the cook prepare your food in front of you. "Don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle." they say. I go to Niban in Kearny Mesa when I'm not in the mood to wait in line. The food is just as good but the crowd is not as trendy as here. Park along the streets but that could be hit and miss on weekends.
(3)Kreaky B.
I enjoyed the Katsu curry dish and the bento box. The portions were filling and the curry was very tasty.The bento box is very nice because it has an assortment of side dishes that come with it, including a noodle salad and miso soup. The salmon in the box was very tender. The prices are very good for the taste and I will eat here again.
(3)Norman R.
Ichiban (PB) and Niban are sister stores. But Ichiban is a little less crowded, a little bit cleaner, and a more laid back. Food wise, if you've been to Niban, you know what to expect here. Tasty Teriyaki Chicken, pretty good rolls, and pretty quick service.
(3)Me Y.
If you are in college and looking for a good deal, this is the place. Yes, fun times...I remember them. But I'm older now and want more from my sushi. It isn't a judgment, just a progression to something else..
(3)Jackie L.
New to living in San Diego, but the plenty of times that I've visited...I have always gone to Ichiban and taken advantage of the incredible happy hour specials. Now that I live here, it's the best place to stuff my face with sushi and not burn a hole in my wallet. My favorites are the Dragon Roll and Baja Roll....plus the cheap cheap sake! Do not mistake Ichiban for the millions of other sushi places you will find within blocks of this little gem.
(5)P S.
Where else can two people go to get sushi for only $20? HERE! I love sushi but my husband and I are on a budget. This is the only place in PB where you can get good quility sushi for an awesome price. The restaurant itself looks a little bit like a diner, but the rolls are excellent and the sushi is high quality. If you don't mind the esthetics, the food is great and the prices are amazing.
(5)Brian C.
From someone who eats sushi almost every day for 14 years, Ichiban has the tastiest, freshest....best sashimi in town. I think that their Fried Calamari Roll is the best roll of any kind anywhere that I have ever been. I also love their Spicy Tuna Handrolls; crunchy, lots of tuna and that great "orange" sauce. Their Stamina Noodle Soups are very large and tasty too. My kids like the Chicken/Rice Bowls. Parking can be difficult on Garnet but would never keep me from going to my favorite sushi restaurant.
(5)Renata K.
This is my new favorite sushi place, hands down. Sorry North Park Sushi. Ichiban has a diner feel - you walk up to the counter and order and they'll bring the food to you in the vinyl booths. So although the ambience is lacking, the food and prices make up for it. Their rolls are unique and DELICIOUS and I don't think a single one is over $10. My faves are the calamari roll and the Spicy Grilled California. YUM. I almost wish I lived in PB just so I could eat here more often.
(5)Chelsey T.
Ichiban has very nicely priced sushi that will not give you food poisening, but you do get what you pay for. Substitutions are not so great here. They don't have a lot of rolls to choose from, so getting rid of the imitation crab and substituting it out is not easy. If you're like me and have any sort of food allergy, this is not the place for you. I'm not sure even they know what is in some of their rolls. The rolls don't have a lot of creativity and the eel always tastes a little bit off. But again, I've eaten there many times and never gotten sick =) I think Ichiban's Happy Hour (5-7) is their claim to fame, because even though their whole restaurant is nothing above average, their prices are cheap enough to make me go back. I would recommend Ichiban for a cheap, easy dinner. I wouldn't recommend taking guests there--it will make you look bad.
(3)Jesse K.
Our go to standard here in PB. Probably not what you are expecting out of a sushi place inPB. You have to order at the counter when you arrive. This is no big deal, just read the giant menu when you walk in and get in line. Yep, there is usually a line, but it goes quick. It is right on Garnet about five blocks to the beach so pretty good people watching if you can sit by the window. I always check the specials/happy hour because these are some good deals on their already really low prices. It is not NOBU. That being said I believe two can dine with beer and sake and spend less than you would on one roll at NOBU. With a tip. Everything is fresh and delicious. They know how to fry things as well. The Lion King Roll is great. Like a deep fried philly roll with jalapeno. Very rich. The Albacore Supreme is a nice contrast. Seared Albacore with lemon slice and ponzu sauce. Huge bento boxes of a few varieties for under ten bucks! Large ice cold Kirin that can be half price for the whole month! The service is great and friendly after you adjust to the counter service. There is a bar where you can order sushi normally for the lone wolves and couples. You just can't go wrong here. When in PB try it, save a hundred dollars, thank me later.
(4)Jennifer K.
Ichiban was good, I enjoyed the sushi. The service was good.. because it wasn't busy when we got there and we were still waiting for a few people, the waitress let us order from the table instead of using their odd system. I always prefer using a waitress when at a restaurant, versus the cafeteria feel. The beers are big, though, and the sushi prices are reasonable. Although I'm sure I'll find over time that there are better sushi places, it was a good first experience in the area.
(3)Colby P.
When I was broke and living in PB, this place took a lot of my meager earnings. Happy hour specials are excellent and the service is great, especially when they start to recognize you. As far as the sushi goes it's just so-so truth be told, but this place will always have a spot close to my heart.
(4)Heather R.
This place is a great deal for happy hour! $1 Sake as well as several appetizer specials makes this an affordable yet quality pick. The staff is very friendly and attentive, and the food is just as good as the more expensive places.
(4)j m.
I would give them a higher rating but the staff is kind of rude and their hours are weird. Amazing sushi, teriyaki food, and PRICES!
(4)Lindsey A.
VERY reasonably priced sushi place. obviously, not the most amazing sushi but you just can't beat the price. Their sushi happy hour from 5-7 features some further discounted rolls which are always pretty yummy. Last night, my roommate and I went after work and ordered 2 rolls to share, i had a salad and she had a side of rice - less than $15.00. You stand in line to place your order, find a table and a server attends to you the rest of the time bringing out your food and making sure your drink is full. Definitely one of my favorite after-work places to grab a bite.
(4)Ralph N.
I live in San Francisco now, but I'm still on the lookout for a sushi roll place as good as Ichiban. Nothing beats the quality/*price*/portion combination. That's why this place is is getting great business. IMO, any sushi place that has hand rolls that cost over $10 doesn't deserve 5 stars. This is rice & fish we're talking about here...
(5)Amy M.
I've eaten at Ichiban before, and thought it was decent for the price. But last night, it was flat-out terrible. We ordered Edamame, Fried Gyoza, Spicy Tuna Roll and Rainbow Roll. The edamame was watery, the gyoza were dry, the tuna hardly spicy at all, and the rainbow roll was mushy. Not only that, but the rolls were poorly rolled and put together. Truly awful.
(1)David M.
This place is a really good deal. The sushi isn't the best, but they don't charge prices like it is either. You get good portions of fish, it's fresh and inexpensive. I eat a lot and have a hard time spending more than $25 on sushi. They have great rolls, and my friend loves a roll with lemon slices on top of basically a rainbow roll with tempura in the middle. I have to admit it was pretty good. If you are looking for good sushi and not breaking the bank, try it out. You won't be disappointed. Great for groups as they have large booths and i've never had to wait.
(4)Glenn W.
I've eaten here many times but have not tried the sushi. I can say the chicken dishes and bowls are pretty good, fast and priced right. I usually get one of the specials such as the teriyaki or ginger chicken which comes with rice, a salad, egg roll or other roll for $6.95 or less. Nothing elegant here, just a fast, cheap way to have a decent meal.
(4)Isabelle N.
Update: Ichiban now has Happy Hour!!!!!! It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)Debbie M.
I know this place is loathed by my fellow yelper Rachel but I can not help but love this place. It's that kind of place where I order the same thing every time cause I know its safe and will be good. I don't take chances here and get odd things. Its cheap sushi and for me its great to fill my sushi cravings on short notice. Sometimes the line is long so best to go early evening....even better to order ahead for take out. My favorite item on the menu is the grilled California roll. Never have seen this anywhere else so I mostly come for that plus the soft shell crab rolls are not so bad either. If your in PB I suggest this place over some of the other cheap places on Garnet Ave.
(4)Hannah P.
Best sushi in PB by far! Ichiban's fish is always fresh and their monthly deals are awesome. Everything is cheap and the service is fast and friendly. My personal favorite is the Hawaiian roll - shrimp tempura, crab and avocado inside with ahi tuna on top. I go here at least once a week :)
(5)elle h.
I love this place my jap dad and i go after fishing cheap but very very good
(5)Lois S.
Ichiban PB is our favorite place to eat when in San Diego. We have been known to eat here twice a day for six in a row (closed on Sunday). You could do that and never eat the same thing twice and be happy every time. Or, like my husband, you could have the same thing EVERY time and want more. Delightful place; delightful staff. Best bang for the sushi buck around.
(5)Suzie Q.
Oh my God! I just got back from this place and am only hoping I don't get any sorts of food poisoning! Cheap this place is... and cheap quality is what you get. I honestly hate to give such a bad review, but it was awful. We ordered a rainbow roll, which I get at almost every sushi place I go to. I'm not sure what type of fish it was suppose to be, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't suppose to be GREY! All the rolls we ordered were over stuffed with imitation crab, which definately didn't taste fresh either. We go out to eat sushi pretty often, but I think this has ruined me from wanting to eat any sushi... at least for a few weeks. It's not worth saving an extra few bucks or ten... save your stomach!
(1)Tyler T.
This place has great sushi and big rolls at fantastic prices. This place operates as a hybrid waiter service restaurant - you order at the counter, find your seat, and you get served your food and drinks. I've been coming to Ichiban for the last 5 years and I've yet to be disappointed. My wife and I moved away from P.B. in 2006 and we still make the drive back to Ichiban. Even with the price of gas, we still come out ahead of what we would pay in Del Mar. It actually surprises me that other sushi spots are Garnett can compete, since you're bound to spend twice the amount you would at Ichiban. Bottom line: If you're spending too much for good sushi, do yourself a favor and check this place out. Try the dragon roll.
(4)Kylan M.
Prices are great. Food is mediocre. It's like the fast food of sushi.
(3)Nicole L.
fried salmon w/ rice!!! BEST DISH EVERRRRR. plus get the tea, it's free =) this place is cheap. i've been going there w/ my family ever since i can remember, ever since i was like 6...i've been getting their fried salmon w/ rice. it's honestly one of my favorite meals ever. don't get it baked though, then it's just meh and not so great at all. =( grade = 97%
(5)Christina M.
Most disgusting slop of sushi I have ever seen and tried to eat. I spent $17 on 2 special rolls and threw them out! I got the Scallop Delight and the Dragon Roll...I found a piece of plastic in the Dragon Roll first off. The 2 rolls were thrown together and they fell apart when I picked them up....They used faux fish and the taste was awful....BIG, DISGUSTING, YUCK, NEVER AGAIN
(1)Camie K.
Quite the contrary, Ichiban does not live up to its name (to my knowledge, ichiban = the best, in a "hands down" kind of way). Food and service are ok, but definitely not the best. I give it two stars because it is cheap eating there...and that you can swallow their sushi down without regurgitating it. Their menu is exactly the same as Niban's, which is their other store off of Clairemont Mesa. Good place to eat for starving students, but then again, there is always top ramen.
(2)Julia N.
If I was judging solely on price, this place would get 5 stars. for 7.95, you can get stuffed... maybe for even less. problem is it's hit or miss. some of your sushi is fresh, some is not so fresh. rolls are big. and tonight, there was a 50% off special on Kirin (which i though tasted like bud light), a pitcher for 5.95. i would go back if others wanted to, but i would never initiate.
(2)CAKE E.
The food here is cheap and good. This is a great place to eat with a friend, or even go on a date. Of course, my first date here was a bust, but that was b/c my date was a bit off- not the fish. Plus, I love the big cushy black booths.
(3)Jennifer B.
I have been eating at Ichiban since my college days at SDSU and while I see many people on here had bad experiences, I have always loved it. The fish is fresh and some of the best I've had in Pacific Beach. I have never tried any of the cooked food, but always eat the sushi and rolls. My favorite is the Fried Calamari, which is filled with calamari and topped with tuna and a spicy sauce... big enough to be a whole meal. The service is good and the staff is friendly. This is the perfect place to go after a day at the beach, as it is very casual. While it is true the Sushi chefs are not Japanese, they are really good at what they do, so who cares?
(4)Mindy B.
I've been going to Ichi Ban going on 5 years now. Its seriously the best deal in PB. Its great value for money and the sushi is fresh and yummy. Maybe not the best place for a first date - its a pretty casual setting. But I eat there with my girl friends and get take out all the time. Its a fairly busy little place. You just order from the counter and if you are going to eat there, they bring the food and drinks to your table. The people who work here are very nice too. I LOVE Ichiban.
(5)Gregory G.
Best sushi around and at a very reasonable price. Chefs make extremely tasty Teriyaki Chicken. They are also fast at bringing it out to you. Friendly service and a good people watching place.
(5)matthew m.
I love Ichiban. My wife and I go for lunch here a lot, and have had a good experience every time. It's really cheap, fast, and delicious. My favorite roll is the baja roll. The people working here are all really friendly, and they have candy at the register. What the hell else do you need in life?
(4)Jeffrey M.
IT was one of the best sushi places I have been to since i left Japan. IT was great sushi for a minimal Price.
(4)Bionda C.
This place is renowned for its cheap (and good) sushi by PB-ers. But the ambiance is like a Denny's on a Sunday morning, and I thought the fish was mediocre at best. Try your luck down the street at Surfside instead!
(2)Khoa N.
For every time I've come here, I'm pleasantly disappointed. I can't put my finger on it, but something about this place doesn't seem to satisfy me at all. The first time I went here I ordered the seafood udon, which upon receiving it was saddened by the fact that it looked like chicken broth with random seafood thrown in. The overall taste was dissatisfying and the entire bowl looked like it was slapped together. It could hardly be called seafood udon. The second time I came here I ordered some seafood tempura. I'm not sure if its my bad luck with seafood here, but I figure a sushi restaurant should have some decent seafood lying around albeit their normal sushi. To my dismay, it was equally as pleasant as my previous visit as everything was just too bland and the seafood didn't even seem fresh. Now, some of you may argue that you get what you pay for, but in reality I've had some better meals at Niban, their sister restaurant than this one and the prices are almost identical. All in all, there's plenty of places on Garnet to get sushi so really you don't have to go out of your way to save a few bucks.
(2)Nicole F.
honestly the best sushi ive tried in town. from zen bu to sushi on the rock, this place is complete with hole in the wall charm, awesome staff, and incredible sushi. its cheap, their happy hour is unreal, and i cant tell you how often i go. their service isnt always amazing but it doesnt even matter. for fast amazing quality cheap sushi, you have to try ichiban.
(5)Tony L.
Ichiban fills a small niche among the flocks of sushi places lining Garnet. I was fairly hesitant to try out a "discount" sushi place but I wasn't given much of a choice by the girlfriend. Upon walking into the place, I was fairly confused on the ordering system. Apparently you are suppose to order your food at the counter and then it gets delivered to your table. We decided on a mix platter of some sort, a crunchy tempura roll and a pitcher of beer. The beer was on special for the month and it was actually cheaper to buy the pitcher rather then ordering two separate beers. The sushi arrived promptly and we quickly jumped into the huge sea of food! I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food, it definitely wasn't top notch but very solid. The rest of the meal went without a hitch and we left with full tummies and still had money in our wallets. The meal was less then 30 bucks which also included a pitcher of beer! I imagine we'll be back in the future.
(3)KURT M.
my wife and i will go here on occasion, as we went here a bunch when we were dating. prices are good, fish is not the best, but fine for the price. used to get the sashimi plate, and it was loaded with fish. not a bad place to go grab a large portion of sushi on the cheap
(4)Jackie A.
I have been going to Ichiban for a long time and it is definetley the best sushi around for the price. Great casual atmosphere and the staff are very friendly.
(4)Rachel R.
I stopped eating here years ago when I lived in PB and it was within walking distance. All it took was for me to see a cockroach running across the kitchen floor as I went to the bathroom, I was outta there. No wonder its so cheap, roaches are free!
(1)Maxie G.
I did not have a good experience at this sushi place. Firstly, we went to Sushi Ota on Mission Bay Drive but the place was packed and there was a 2 hour wait. I should have made a reservation but it was a last minute decision to eat out that night. We were starving and wanted to find another sushi place close by. My husband didn't want to go to PB, he doesn't like it, but I encouraged him to go as it was close and we didn't know where else to go. We wanted to go to Sushi on the Rock in La Jolla, but they closed down. So, we ended up at Ichiban. The entrance way was packed with people. I saw a line of people waiting at the counter but thought that they were ordering take-out. There were some other people waiting in another line and I asked them if they were waiting for a table and they said yes. So we stood behind them. And we waited and waited. No member of staff acknowledged us or even looked our way. I finally approached one of the waiters and asked her how we go about getting a table and she said that we have to order the food first. She pulled me over to the front entrance where there was a sign said "Order your food first". When we first walked in, there were so many people standing there that the sign was covered. Anyway, by this time my husband was very irritated and didn't want to eat there, even though there was now no line at the counter. So we left, and we both have a very bad impression of this place. We went to La Jolla and had a nice dinner at the Spices Cafe. So, I can't comment on Ichiban's sushi as I never got to taste it. The prices did seem cheap though, so if you are looking to save money, this may be the place for you, but if you are looking for good service, or I should say any service at all, you should give this place a miss.
(1)Charlene C.
I will never go to this place again. The ONLY reason we even set foot in the place was because my boyfriend and I had made a plan to eat at every sushi place in Pacific Beach on Garnett, starting from the east end, by Pacific Coast Bicycle, and working our way west. The whole experience is frightening. You order everything at the counter, briskly, mind you, since there is a line forming out the door as you agonize over what rolls to order. Hopefully, nothing you order gets lost in translation and you pay there. Then, you go sit at a booth in the brightly lit cafeteria style dining area and someone then brings your drinks, plates, etc. After a while, watching whatever random game is on the tiny TV and one scary visit to the bathroom, your sushi arrives. It is bland, and the rice is sticky. I don't remember much after this. Therefore, I feel it is safe to say Ichiban PB = McDonalds of sushi.
(2)Eric B.
Love this place - cheap and fast. Will sometimes have a lineup to order but seating opens up pretty well by the time you're ready. Always seem to have a great special - rolls and a cooked item. Enjoy!
(5)Emy M.
Date of visit: 7/31/2015 Ichiban is the sister restaurant of Niban, which holds a special place in my heart from my college days. Since we were about to leave on a trip and I didn't feel like buying fresh food that would go to waste, Cam and I opted to grab a quick bite to eat at Ichiban before going home to pack. As will most other PB restaurants, the only parking available is street parking. If you're not good at parallel parking, I suggest you seek parking on the side streets or take a chance on getting one of the diagonal spots on the north side of Garnet. Garnet is one of the main roads of PB, so there is a lot of traffic. Before sitting down, you have to order at the counter. Since it can get fairly busy, be polite and don't send someone from your party to grab a table. The food comes out fairly quickly, so turnaround on tables is pretty quick as well. Drinks and miso soup are served right when you get to your table. The remainder of your order is brought out as ready. This means that you may or may not get all of your food at the same time. Also, keep an eye out for the deal of the month. For July, it was free drinks with a meal purchase of $5.95 or more, so Cam and I were able to get a couple of soft drinks for free. Miso Soup. The miso soup is prepared from one of those dehydrated packets, so it's nothing special. However, it is a nice warm start to a meal for me, albeit a bit salty. Salmon Roll. This was my first time having raw salmon, so I was ready to not like it, but I found this roll to be really refreshing. We usually get one of the deep fried rolls, which fill you up quickly, but the raw fish was definitely lighter and allowed us some room for the curry. This dish also came out really quickly as it's one of the easier rolls to make. Chicken Katsu Curry. This is a comfort dish for me and gigantic one at that. It's served with a salad that has a nice ginger based dressing. Although Cam wasn't a fan of the salad, I really enjoyed it. The curry is beef based and has big chunks of beef, potatoes, and carrots throughout. It is served on top of a bed of rice and chicken katsu. Because of the curry, the katsu gets soggy, but it's not too bad. Overall, I'm definitely a fan of Ichiban as it's definitely comfort food from my college days. I'm also now a fan of their salmon rolls, so when we come back, I'll have to try some other rolls out. Definitely worth a try if you haven't been to either restaurant.
(4)Christina M.
My boyfriend & I had their chicken katsu (spelling?) for lunch last week, and we both had headaches after. I thought that maybe we were both a little off, but I ate the leftovers today and got a headache again. Not sure what's in the ingredients, but if it's giving 2 people headaches, that can't be good. Their sushi is good and I've never had any problems, but I'll never order the chicken katsu lunch special again.
(2)Marissa M.
Eh. Nothing incredibly special about this place. My favorite part was the garlic edamame. You order before you sit down. Prices are competitive. Service was a little slow. The rolls were nothing to come back for :/
(3)Meredith B.
Loved this place. We were with a larger group, and we all got something different and loved it all! Friendly staff and really good food. I've ordered and picked up a few times since then and always really liked it! Their miso soups are total winners in my book.
(5)Phoenix H.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Tried this place because we just finished a tattoo appointment that took longer than expected. We were starving! Prices were good. I had this baked roll with scallops. I don't remember the name. It was the best baked roll I've ever had. Most rolls like that are slathered with spicy mayo and imitation crab but this had real sea food. Delicious.
(5)Katie W.
Been here twice with co-workers. Always very pleased with the food (although last time, one of my dining companions had plastic wrap on a piece of his roll -- not acceptable), but the service leaves a lot to be desired, especially on our last visit. We sat with empty glasses for almost the entire meal; not a single refill. The girl at the counter may have been having a bad day, but she seemed frustrated when I asked a couple questions about the combo. I adore the food and the price is right, but service needs to step it up to keep us coming back.
(3)Nette B.
Walk up to the counter, place your order then have a seat. There's a large menu right by the counter. Service: The servers were really nice and kept coming by our table to see if we were fine. Food: Chicken Katsu Curry Bento Box B (Baked Salmon, Shrimp Tempura, Octopus and Tuna Sashimi, California Roll, Fish Tempura, Salad and Miso Soup. Both dishes were yummy and delicious. The chicken katsu was perfectly battered and freshly cooked. The beef curry was satisfying to my tummy. Happy Hour (forgot the hours) Lunch and Dinner Specials available (look at the white board on the wall. Overall, a really good sushi restaurant. Reasonably priced and delicious flavors. I will definitely return to try other menu items.
(4)Deniz A.
This place rocks! Great portions that fill you up. The Bento teriyaki is always good served with stir fried zucchini and mushrooms mixed with the chicken. Special thanks to Isabella, who made my visit extra enjoyable and satisfied. I'll keep on coming back again, again, and again...
(5)Evan L.
Came here for lunch on a random weekday and was pleasantly surprised by the lunch specials they had. When I was looking over the menu the lady at the counter seemed like she was getting annoyed with me not ordering right away. I ended up ordering the bento box which was hot, good, and a lot of food. Totally worth the 8 dollars.
(4)Mojan S.
It was alright! We didn't have a good experience with the waitress and the sushi was very bland. Maybe we just didn't order the right sushi but we won't try again. Thanks
(3)Stephanie G.
I've been coming here since I was a child, and I can hands down say it's become my favorite sushi places of all time. They have theee best dragon and Baja roll the sweetest staff ever
(5)Jenelyn A.
Nibans sister chain. So this place has everything they do! Calamari dragon crunch lion calamari roll! So they get my same rating as niban did. Just not a fan of pbs parking situation.
(4)Clara A.
I have been coming here with my family for years, and it is one of our favorite sushi spots in San Diego. We also love their other location "Niban's" in Clairemont. I recently learned that "Ichi" means "one" and "Ni" means "two". Makes a lot of sense. Anyway, the reason why this place is a favorite of ours, and we will continue to come back as loyal customers, is because they have HUGE rolls for such a reasonable price! Sushi anywhere in San Diego can get a bit pricey, so it's refreshing that Ichiban, regardless of all of the competition nearby, offer their rolls at such great prices. For the quality of their food, and excellent taste, I'm sure they can either bring up their prices by a dollar or so, or could skimp out and make the rolls smaller or "regular sized" but they don't, and that is why so many people love coming! Anyway, if you love raw fish, such as salmon or tuna, you have to get the orange blossom roll! It is my absolute favorite!!! It is almost $10 for the roll which actually is a lot of money BUT the roll itself is soo big! I can eat just this and be full, opposed to getting two rolls for more money and probably not finishing both. I think the salmon always taste particularly fresh and is very tasty. Other rolls that are delicious are the paradise, lion king, and Baja roll to name a few. I also like to get their "A" and "B" option dinner convos. It is always a mix of two rolls (half each) and the price will be somewhere close to $7. If that's not a steal, I don't know what is! Only thing with this deal they do is that it's dine in only. Parking can be hard since it's in PB and you can only do street parking (no private lot), but I've never really had trouble finding parking. Also, you order and pay at the counter before you sit down which I personally like because you don't spend much time tagging down a waitress or waiting or order/pay. All in all, great place to come overall for a casual lunch or dinner if you're wanting something quick and relatively cheap.
(5)Jenna P.
This has continued to be my go to place for quick delicious sushi! I love having a spot where I can order my favorite rolls for a good price! I absolutely love this place :-)
(5)Kierra N.
The sushi is pretty good, I had the lion king roll. The inside looks way better than how it actually appears in the outside. It's a little different than usual restaurants because you have to order before you sit down! So maybe order an appetizer and ask for a menu? Or just know what you want when you go there. The prices are really good too :), between 5 and 15 dollars depending, on how much fish you want on your rolls. But the only downside that I did not like is that they should serve the rolls for everyone together because my friends roll came out 25 minutes before mine did :/ like c'mon now. And you don't really have a consistent waitress. Besides that the food was still really good.
(3)Mira M.
The best deal on sushi you can ever dream of! Super nice staff, and you cannot find a sushi roll in San Diego that actually tastes pretty decently for the price like this. I don't love their seaweed salad, or katsu curry that much, but the bento boxes and sushi rolls are super good. If you want affordable Japanese food, this is your place. If you are a sushi snob, you might as well go to Sushi Ota, but be prepared to spend a lot more. We eat here at least a few times a month for last 3 years, and never had a bad experience. The girl who left a 2 star review about food giving her and her boyfriend a headache makes me realize how ridiculous some of these reviews are (I bet she was hungover and dehydrated) and how much they can hurt a business. Check this place out and don't pay attention to stupid reviews.
(5)Barbara H.
Excellent food and service .. Good prices for what they offer. It opens at 5 pm for dinner and there were ppl waiting outside . I got my food to go and it doesn't take long.
(5)Mushie H.
Ugghhhh I ordered the Paradise, Dragon and Dynamite Roll. They were mediocre at best and I took a bite out of the Dynamite roll and ended up leaving it for them to throw away. It was sour and disgusting. The raw Paradise Roll wasn't fresh at all and the quality was low. Has one $ for a reason, go somewhere else! Ahhhhhh
(1)Bob B.
You can't beat Ichiban PB for good sushi at a terrific price. There may be more high-end sushi places, but you can get consistent, delicious sushi at Ichiban PB for half the price (especially during happy hour, 5PM-7PM every day. I love the Orange Blossom, kamikaze, spicy grilled (tuna or salmon), and sashimi salad. The cooked entrees are good to. Been going for years and never disappointed.
(5)Blain K.
Came here for lunch with a few friends the other day. You walk in and order first then sit which was a little weird but the lady was very friendly and helpful with us. We ordered and sat down and our food came out pretty quick. the hand rolls I received were HUGE! everything was pretty good but no one ever came to refill waters or anything which is a big pet peeve of mine so that's why it gets 3 instead of 4 stars. I probably be back but its a standard sushi place, nothing special.
(3)Catherine P.
It is ineresting that you order first then find a spot :O we had just missed happy hour but it wasn't that expensive which was nice :) I wasn't uber hungry so I only got the California Maki. It was good but smaller than I expected. It was good though but I'm not a sushi fanatic so take my words with caution! The lady at the cashier was nice and helpful with all my questions (I'm a newbie eater so I ask lots of questions). There wasn't a table for the three of us so we waited for a little before taking a seat but it wasn't that long which was good. I was satisfied and it was nice :) I would go back if others wanted to go.
(5)Kimberly H.
I do not recommend this place to anyone who likes tasty food. The restaurant itself is quite cute. Twinkly lights hanging from the celling, a sushi clock on the wall, and a warm, romantic atmosphere. Unfortunately all of that means nothing because the food was just awful! It's right around the P.B bar area. So I'm assuming the only reason this place has such good reviews is because hungry drunks stumble on over from the bars for some food and can't tell the difference between a pile of shit and some shrimp tempura, which by the way was not that good. The rolls I ordered were very basic, but somehow the "chef" managed to fuck them up! Everything was flavorless and the avocado on top of my rainbow roll was turning brown! The fish was kind of grey-ish. The food was garnished with a green wet plastic. Absolutely disgusting. My advice, stay away!
(1)Nicole C.
I don't know what it was, but perhaps it was the fact that you order at the counter when you first walk in like it's some sort of fast food joint or maybe the overall ambiance of the place, but I just was not feeling it from the start. When we got our food, I was not impressed. It didn't taste as fresh as other sushi I've had in the past and wasn't appetizing. Some of my friends really talk this place up, so I hate to give a bad review, but I can't see myself ever going back.
(2)Daina B.
I'm torn on giving this place a one star or two star, so I opted for rounding up. The wait staff are friendly and helpful. But other than that I was super disappointed with this place. I consider Yelp my food compass. Anything 4 stars and above I will try. This time it failed me, but I was having a really good run so it was bound to happen. Prior to going, this place somehow had 4 stars, which has since gone down to 3.5. Not surprised. The Tuna Sashimi was not fresh tasting at all, and it wasn't because it came out on a bed of iceberg lettuce that was tossed on the plate. You could tell just by the coloring. Our yellowtail special roll lacked flavor and was rolled loosely. The scallop roll was doused in mayo. None of the fish we have tasted fresh. Blah. It actually made me miss my regular sushi haunt back in Forest Park, IL so much more (how can a Midwestern Sushi place have fish that is more fresh?!). Hard pass. Find another sushi joint.
(2)Thomas B.
Ichiban is an absolutely 5 star worth place for your money :) I like the sushi plates and the chicken teriyaki is delicious!
(5)Gray A.
Sushi was good and fairly priced. I spent under $15 for a miso soup, two half rolls and one full roll. I've paid twice as much for the same sushi. Great location right on Garnet ave. Service was average. Only thing I thought was weird was that you pay in the beginning and then sit down so you don't have a proper time to tip. Besides that I definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)Dustin L.
This place is awesome to eat there or to take out. Never messed up my order, not even once. Everything is perfectly fresh, they're very courteous and happy. In and out every time quickly. Love this place, wish there was more like it around the city of San Diego. "Vote with your dollar"
(5)Judy S.
What Happened!? Edamame old, second rate quality, bruised, poor color and unhealthy looking. Miso soup no flavor, Caterpillar roll avocado turning brown, Tuna sashimi, Eight bucks!? It was far from the fancy tuna! I believe it could have been frozen or why wasn't there any flavor, low quality? Scary thought, thank goodness I didn't get sick. Yes, I waited 6 hours to write this to make sure. Just isn't the same quality as it used to be. Interesting when there aren't any Japanese sushi chefs!?! No Japanese people working the day we were in. Hmmmmm. Parking is a challenge in PB, prepare to walk a few blocks and lock your car. A few blocks north lots of brake-ins.
(1)Fabiana M.
For the quality of the food and sushi, the price is very good! We like the servers a lot and how great the food taste, plus the happy hour prices are the best in PB. Our family dine there at least once a week.
(5)Jessica A.
I have to say I'm pretty shocked by the decent reviews because there is no way that this is a 4-star sushi restaurant. My husband and I decided to stop by for lunch since PB Sushi was not open yet. The second I walked in, my nose was filled with what can only be described as the smell of cat food. Mixed with nasty. But, seeing as we had a limited amount of time and a hankering for sushi, we thought we would give it a go against my better judgement. We ordered 4 rolls and in my opinion, only one was edible. The yellowtail was so fishy and discolored, we sent the roll back and they didn't even bat an eye. That scares me. She brought me back my refund without me even asking. Im guessing it happens a lot. We are in the land of plentiful sushi here in SD, so I would recommend going to any one of the other 10,000 sushi restaurants here. I mean, unless you like the smell of cat food.
(1)Kelsey S.
Sushi was just whatever and there was PLASTIC wrapping in my sushi disgusting! Never coming back here again. One of the worst experiences I've ever had at a sushi restaurant.
(2)