Ichi Ban is so yummy and I miss living in McLean, because my dad and I used to swing by all the time. The restaurant is tiny and a little cramped, but it's one of the quickest and freshest sushi places around. Their menu is extremely simple, just basic salads, udon, a couple sashimi specials with rice, and their list of rolls is always on the whiteboard on the wall. I'm going to let you in on a secret. The Utah roll is one of their specialities and is probably one of my favorite sushi rolls every. It is simple shrimp tempura, avocado, tuna, and spicy mayo. But they don't have it on the menu anymore. I ordered it by name every time. If you come here, you have to try it! I also love love love their spicy scallop roll, it's is so tasty with the scallions and my mouth is literally watering as I am writing this and thinking about it. The rolls are all on the thin side with rice, which is what I really like. They are so quick and a great lunch spot. I love Ichi Ban above all the other McLean sushi restaurants and above Tachibana, which is right down the street and a big favorite in the McLean area.
(4)
Bianca R.
This has been my second home for the last ten years and after going to Japan, I can still say this is by far the best when it comes to quality, selection, service and taste!! Thank you SOOOO much for making delicious white tuna avocado rolls and amazing handrolls. I love the miso and seaweed salad. Love this place!
(5)
H. Y.
This place is good! The employees and owners are always so nice and accommodating. I've been going to Ichiban forever and its pretty solid.
(4)
Bex H.
We order take from here at least once a week, it seems. They are quick and the rolls are amazing.
(5)
Hiwa A.
This has been one of my favorite places for the past 10 years. It's not super authentic japanese, but they have fantastic rolls with a really good filling-to-rice ratio (most of the rolls are the fish/inside, not overwhelmingly rice and a little piece of fish like some other places). I usually don't like california rolls, but theirs are fantastic. I also love their spicy tuna, salmon & jalapeno, and their mclean roll. I am also a big fan of their ginger dressing on the salad. The service is great- they are VERY friendly. The place is tiny and simple, but I often get take out whenever I'm in mclean. Another bonus: if you order take-out they cross out the tip line on your credit card receipt.
(5)
Linda C.
Very good quality sushi. The price is similar to supermarket sushi but much fresher. The flavors in my California roll and spicy tuna roll were very well balanced. This is a small place with several tables and a sushi bar. It was easy to get a seat at lunch. Will definitely come here again.
(4)
Eloise L.
I love this place!! Small and amazing sushi!! Try their California roll they are delicious. Freah and melty. The service is so so nice. They care so much about their customers, I love them. Prices are very reasonable for sushis. Go there you won't regret it!!
(5)
Mark W.
Ichi Ban isn't the best sushi place in the world. There, I said it...BUT! I love coming here for my sushi fix in McLean. To allay people's worries about the special rolls. They have a separate menu sheet with each roll and their contents. My favorites: Golden Roll Ichiban hand Roll Spicy/Crunchy Lobster Roll. Friendly staff, always greeted with a smile. If you find yourself in McLean, and don't feel like splurging on Tachibana, Ichi Ban is a safe bet.
(4)
Melanie C.
I've been spoiled by an amazing sushi place near my house so everything else pales in comparison, but this is a great place to go when I'm at work and want sushi. The rolls are good and the staff is friendly. Always a place to sit and it's very cozy. The rolls are fresh and delish!
(4)
Marisa L.
The sushi here is amazing! The rolls are all delicious! The food is just okay. If you're hungry for a meal, don't go here. If you're craving sushi, this definitely is the place to go!
(4)
Shane K.
Ichi Ban was the first sushi place I tried in McLean and was very happy with it. The rolls are consistently good, especially the Philadelphia and Baltimore rolls, and the service is always attentive and on spot. After eating at several other places, I had to mark it down from a 5 star to a 4. The ambiance is less than perfect but when I go to a restaurant to eat, I care more about the food than other things. Lunch specials are also a great deal (Typically two rolls for around $8) and it is much less crowded at lunch times. I keep coming back here every once in a while and never leave disappointed.
(4)
Paul R.
Best sushi in McLean, in my opinion. That's not saying much, but this place is the cream of the admittedly limited crop. Everything's very good. Some of the specialty rolls are unique - like a Baltimore roll that had old bay and crab. Good service. Reasonable priced. Across the board, a very positive experience.
(4)
Amanda M.
Went here for lunch yesterday and pretty disappointed. $7.95 lunch special for tuna roll and yellowtail roll. So here's the weird part, if you blindfolded me I honestly couldn't tell you which roll was which. That's bad! :/ I also ordered $4.75 salmon nigiri which was a really large heaping portion of salmon over a little ball of rice. Me like-y. And I normally don't comment about non-alcoholic beverages in my reviews but the fountain sodas were awful! The place is really small too, felt a bit cramped.
(2)
Alicia N.
Ichi Ban is probably one of the better sushi places in McLean. Working in McLean, I always need a good option for lunch and this is where I often opt to go (for carryout). The place is pretty small but it has probably 15 tables and a bar to sit at for dining in, but I haven't. Whenever I place my order, the customer service is OUTSTANDING and my it is always correct. Definitely a plus. It is always ready on time as well. My usual order? Spicy tuna roll and the California hand roll. Both are very good and are filling. The miso soup is also excellent and I often add that and the salad with ginger dressing. If you're looking for quick service, satisfying sushi and a good experience, Ichi Ban is the place. If you want a trendy spot, Buddha Bar in DC is probably a better idea.
(4)
John M.
I visited yesterday for a quick lunch and was politely greeted at the door. That was pretty much the highlight of the experience. Crowded into a tight space with cheap decor, I sat at the pinched sushi bar with lovely views of a large fish refrigerator which prevents you from watching the "master" at work. Actually, he had a perpetual scowl, the kind, say, one wears while repairing a toilet or skinning a squirrel. He couldn't be bothered for a friendly nod or even a glance. The five ladies standing to the side sure were friendly, though, and my iced tea was perpetually filled. I ordered the combo California and tuna rolls with a side of spicy scallop. The spicy scallop arrived as a hand roll which I sent back. It arrived back moments later chopped up with a quick-slap addition of rice. It looked like what you might get from a sushi instructional course full of bored drunk housewives (nothing wrong with that, mind you). To complete the disaster, the spicy scallop was mostly composed of runny mayonnaise. Yum. The other sushi was serviceable, but completely lacking in any aesthetic quality. I've seen 7/11 boxed sushi presented with more effort and care. The side salad I ordered was hunks of iceberg lettuce drowned with a huge glop of sickeningly sweet ginger...something. It was messy and inedible. This impressive lunch set me back a twenty and I will NOT be back. Ever. Actually, how this place can survive within striking distance of a truly world-class sushi restaurant like Tachibana remains a total mystery. In McLean looking for sushi? Go there.
(2)
Adrienne A.
We love this little place. It's tiny, but mighty! Try the calamari salad; it's fresh and delicious. We are addicted the Manhattan Rolls and the Spider Rolls. I had the Futo Maki the other day and it rocked. Miso soup, never my favorite, but theirs is great. PLUS - -You can chow down and not have a calorie catastophe. The staff is friendly and attentive. Service is quick and the prices in keeping with the area - -meaning a little expensive, but hey, it's McLean. And it's easy to park. This is a gigantic, yet under-rated, blessing. Good job, Ichiban!
(5)
Siocnarf S.
Fantastic sushi place. Great fresh and very reasonably priced sushis. Great staff and the owners are so nice and kind.
(5)
Grace M.
The people who work here are the absolute best. They are very attentive and you simply have to look over at a waiter and they'll be right there to get whatever you need. The food is just as great as the service. The hand rolls are some of the best I've had and their "big rolls" are HUGE and delicious. Their California Roll for some odd reason is sooo much better than anywhere else, and almost anyone can do it well-but they do it better
(5)
Lindsey I.
This is my favorite place for sushi! Everything on the menu is fantastic! I have been going here for over 14 years and I will never go anywhere else. Best California Roll I have ever tasted.
(5)
Girl with two forks and a knife -.
Zero...no stars..that's negative five stars. I've never felt more inspired to write a review than I did after I dined at Ichi Ban Sushi. I should have known better when I first spotted the overly bright pink ginger on a another diner's plate. Let me start with the octopus nigri because I can sum it up in one word - rubber. This is not/not my first time having octopus. Moving on to the yellowtail and tuna roll lunch special. It looked like and tasted like someone just slapped it together. This is by far the worst sushi that I've come across yet. It-s a level below the Safeway sushi (cringing, I know). The freshness is questionable. If you only ever had sushi at Ichi Ban, please, please venture out. When you have great sushi, you'll quickly realize that there is a HUGE difference between bad and great sushi. FYI- this all occurred on a Saturday, btw
(1)
Erica G.
I don't know how this place has this many stars- people are either rating it for the chicken teriyaki or have never had good restaurant sushi. This sushi is on par or slightly less than that of whole foods- no, it probably isn't the worst on the planet, but I'm not comparing it to a grocery store, I'm rating it as a RESTAURANT, for which it fails miserably. Decor- ugly. Salmon belly- too fishy. Dragon roll- strange taste, like an herb that didn't belong, and I couldn't even see the eel. McLean roll- I only really tasted cream cheese, and it seemed to be stuffed with what appeared to be cooked tuna...not what one would expect with a sushi roll. Do yourselves a favor people, head to Kaz in DC and experience high quality sushi.
(1)
Bianca K.
Yummy sushi at a good price. The service is great and crazy quick. If I want great food fast I always go here.
(5)
Brian R.
They offer brown rice for the sushi, which I haven't seen anywhere else around here. The rolls were tasty and freshly prepared, staff is friendly, and it's a convenient location.
(5)
Zeki G.
Ichi Ban is the best Sushi in Mclean. Miso soup and their sushi is great. Service is very good. Staff is friendly and the owners really take care of their customers. Some people compare it to KAZ (I have seen mayo on their seaweed salad ). It is not as expensive as KAZ but I think food is comparable.
(5)
James B.
The jalapeño rolls are amazing. The tiny seating area is a bit cramped during the lunch rush during the week. If you'd like a seat avoid the rush. Some of the servers have a tough time speaking English but they except cash or credit when paying. Great spot for a quick meal.
(4)
Adrienne D.
Ichiban is the best sushi around town. I have been going to Ichiban for the last 6 years and it has never disappointed me. The service is quick, the food is excellent and the prices can't be beat. I have referred a number of my friends to Ichiban and every single one of them loves it - even those who aren't huge sushi fans. I have tried a lot of sushi restaurants around the DC area over the years and Ichiban remains my #1 favorite. Also, their hand rolls are amazing. They are never small and puny like most sushi restaurants. Their hand rolls are usually overflowing with fish. Their maki rolls are never small or a waste of money. You always get your money's worth eating here! Plus, miso soup is included with your meal and I've never paid extra for their hot green tea. The one downside to Ichiban is that the restaurant is small and on busy days, you usually have to wait to eat, but they always offer you a beverage while you wait. I will continue to be a long time customer at this restaurant!
(5)
Jake K.
Ok - I went here based on everyone else's reviews only to find that my island brother, Takaki, had it right. The sushi chef here doesn't seem to have the proper training and just slapped together sushi based on his own view of what it should look like. I have to give them credit - the service was good for what I was doing. Coming in to get a take out order usually requires flagging people down and trying to corner them, but the gentleman inside quickly handed me a menu and didn't try to ask questions since I was on the phone at the same time. I fired off my order for three rolls and the staff quickly went to work. Since the place is ridiculously small, I had to step out to hear anything (then again, I can also blame it on my inferior chip-set laden iPhone) at which point they brought my bill out to me and took my card. The card came back with the food - but bless them, they put an "X" in the tip spot since it was a carry out order. Now, how many restaurants do that for you? I haven't seen them yet actually just went back up to revise my 2-star rating to a 3-star for that (now that I think about it). I'll come back to dine inside one day and see if anything else on the menu is good - but for now, I'll stick with Tachibana for my sushi in McLean.
(3)
S H.
For sushi, it's okay but not stellar. I would advise against ordering the California roll, in my opinion it's awful here. the service is very good, always quick! I would say order a more complicated roll and you might get something good.
(3)
Frank W.
Large portions but average taste. Small rustic interior.
(3)
Uppasna C.
Great place for sushi!
(5)
Grace B.
I love ichiban!! It is a typical downtown McLean no-frills, slightly dated restaurant. But this shouldn't matter when seeking high quality sushi. The food is GREAT! Everything! The sushi is FRESH! It is a very clean restaurant & well lit. Always packed. The lady who runs it is delightful. She is always happy, upbeat & appreciative of the business. Love this place!
(5)
Marianne L.
For its simplicity, I love Ichi Ban. Sushi is by far my favorite meal, and I like dropping by here for a quick bite when I'm in the area and my lunch experiences have always been very positive (especially compared to the less than stellar lunch offering at the more pompously overrated Tachibana nearby). There is absolutely nothing pretentious about the place. Its about as simple as it gets with just a few tables and a sushi bar with stools, but I embrace that simplicity and just enjoy coming here to fill my raw fish wishes in the area. Sure the decor is not the spiffiest, but I'm not here to stare at the walls. I'm also not here to have that orgasmic sushi experience - I'm here for lunch, simple nutrition and a little break in my day. So I assess and evaluate Ichi Ban on what they try to be, and not judge them by what they are not. I've dropped plenty of coin on sushi and gorged at some supremely wonderful and decadent sushi bars around the country. And when I want that Japanese rapture experience, I go somewhere that tries to offer that. But that is not what this place is about. Its about fresh fish, served quickly, with a pleasant hello and a smile. Its an in-and-out dining experience, not a lazy casual affair that goes on for hours. The menu is limited (hence the 4-star and not 5). You can't get every type of fish or the variety of rolls that you would at a larger sushi bar. But what they do, they do very well. I'd rather have a sushi place (or any restaurant for that matter) do less better, than try to offer up ever option under the sun. My sake (salmon) nigiri is always very fresh and the portion of fish on each piece is very generous. Always nice to have the rice play its proper supporting role and not the other way around. Other nigiri I've sampled has been equally as fresh and carefully crafted, but sake is my favorite so I keep coming back to that. I've also been very pleased with their hamachi (yellowtail) as well. I'm not a huge maki fan, but many of my sushi friends like them so I've probably sampled more than my fair share over the years. I really consider it something when I stop in someplace for sushi when I'm by myself and find that I opt for maki. I simply fell in love with Ichi Ban's negihama roll (hamachi and scallion). Perfect little rolls of fish and rice with sliced scallion wrapped in nori. Very tasty. What makes Ichi Ban for me is the staff. They are insanely efficient and deftly handle the constant flow of seated diners and those just getting take-out. While they never hover, they are very attentive. They do an amazing job turning the few tables they have, but I've never once felt rushed while dining. There is always a friendly person asking if you would like anything else, water and tea are always refilled without having to ask, and just a general warmth to the experience dining here.
(4)
Alexa S.
Great little place to get lunch during the work day. Service was GREAT, very friendly and speedy. The sushi was fresh and the tuna handroll was fantastic.
(4)
Seungri C.
I have been here over seven times and it's always for dinner. Their service is very excellent and wow, they really pay attention to their customers (Okay, not in a creepy way). They're very informative about the sushi on the menu, and also will let you know what is special and so forth. The sushi can get pricey, but hey, it's raw fish (you get what you pay for!). Only bad experience I had here was that I ordered 2 spicy tuna rolls and they gave me one... -_-; But other than that, the place is awesome.
(5)
Aaron M.
Best sushi in Northern VA, absolute must if your a real sushi fan. Friendly staff that keeps things moving as its a true whole in the wall. Doesn't look like much but once the food comes you will know its one of those lucky great whole in the wall finds.
(5)
Anne A.
Best sushi ever. We have been eating here for 10 years and have never had anything less than an outstanding meal. The staff is attentive and considerate. The only complaint is the locale is too small!! Sometimes you have to wait for a table and they don't take reservations. But we always come back and in spite if trying other sushi restaurants, we've never found one that is as good as Ichiban.
(5)
Hue K.
I'm not sure why this place got so high rating.. I didn't find it any special or better than other sushi place. Sushi or other main dishes were priced similar to most DC restaurant so I didn't find much reason to choose Ichi Ban in this area unless I have no other choice. The menu didn't have anything special or unique compared to other places either. For me, it was just another ordinary sushi place with ordinary japanese dishes like teriyaki and etc.
(3)
First C.
First and last time I'd eat here. I'm pretty sure fresh sushi is not supposed to smell or taste fishy... Never again. I couldn't get that fishy taste out of my mouth for hours. I have no idea how this place is still open. It's disgusting.
(1)
Brittany H.
This was a tough rating.... i actually want to give it 3.5 stars for the following reasons. It's a hole in the wall, with stellar prices. Although, sushi is sushi...I personally believe it's about how much management cares enough to maintain their quality sushi grade. So really, you will have a hit or miss nights....I'm pretty sure of that. Pros: I am never disappointed by the quality. It's not exceptional, but just about every time the sushi comes out fresh and tasty. The service is always excellent & speedy (it helps when they recognize you as being loyal). I take small bites, so the sushi rolls are just small and perfect size bites. Also, their non-sushi food is pretty decent as well. You also can't beat the price. it's so cheap! Cons: Very small and selection could be limited. (however, they do have fatty tuna/salmon). If I wanted nicer decor, I'd hit up Georgetown.
(3)
Greg O.
Its a tiny restaurant- seating is limited and cramped. But the sushi was worth it. The friends I ate with raved about the calamari salad. The hand roll sushi is a interesting take on the typical sushi roll. The eel roll I had was delicious, as was the ginger salad. If you are in McLean and looking for a good sushi place for a quick lunch or dinner, I would recommend it.
(4)
David J.
Emergency sushi only I'm afraid. Reasonably priced but you get what you pay for here. Specifics: Alaska roll (salmon and crunch) was with cooked salmon (what the heck?) Hamachi sushi was yellow with a factory made appearance/cut (should really be light pink) Miso was at least warm but very finely chopped tofu and spinach - just seemed very predictable even thought it's a basic staple. The salmon sushi was decent although not memorable. Male server (think he is also the proprietor) was not very polite and generally just miserable. The restaurant was empty when I was dining and yet they still immediately cleared my plate literally as soon as I'd taken the last piece of sushi from my plate, asking me (mechanically, not really caring) how it was while I was enjoying my last bite with my mouth full. If you're local and need a quick fix without wanting to spend a ton of money this is the place. Otherwise, head to Tachibana with a few more dollars, sit at the bar and enjoy a much better, more authentic experience.
(2)
Yelp R.
I have been going to Ichiban & getting takeout from there for almost 5 years... at least once a month! From my experience, it is the freshest & most consistent sushi place among the *five* sushi places in McLean. The service has always, always, always been really friendly, attentive & prompt. Despite its cozy size, we always manage to get a table or a place at the sushi bar. Once in a while there's a wait, but never for very long. The food is simple, which allows it to be consistent & fresh, which, in my book, are the most important criteria about sushi. Their nabeyaki udon is also really wonderful! FYI, they're closed on Sundays.
(5)
Chow N.
I went here for lunch as an alternative to Tachibana down the street. I've been going there since they started out in Arlington, but wanted to give this joint a try, since I live nearby. I found the place to be totally rushed, and although the sushi/rolls were decent, there's no compelling reason for me to return. The place is small/cramped, and they hover over you to make sure you get quick service so that you can be done and leave. For the price I paid, I think I would have been more full eating at Tachibana instead, in a more relaxed atmosphere.
(3)
Xi W.
**3.5 stars** Doesn't really hold a flame to Tachibana down the street if you're looking for sushi or authentic Japanese cuisine, but Ichi Ban has it's niche in making some interesting and funky rolls, like the McLean, softshell crab, and spicy scallop rolls. They also make one of the best spicy tuna hand rolls I've had. Try to ask for no rice and extra cucumbers. Fantastic! The tiny place is packed at lunch and dinner hours, and makes a good candiate for fast and easy takeout.
(3)
Nicole R.
Service is always phenomenal. And the place is ALWAYS packed. Food is good, ambiance is good, prices are meh. I've been going to Ichiban for years because I think it's the best sushi in McLean. I do wish, though, that their specialty rolls (found on a board, not printed in any menu) weren't so pricey. I usually get their Sashimi w/ Bowl of Rice (Lunch) but I make sure to ask that they cut the fish into smaller pieces. They'll serve you three huge pieces of salmon and two huge hunks of tuna. The Teryaki Chicken is really great too, and the Miso Soup is to die for! The biggest draw to Ichiban is the service. Tachibana (down the street) is alright, but service doesn't begin to compare.
(4)
Francesca C.
this is the best cheap sushi in the metro area, bar none. it is the "Cheers" of the sushi circuit in NoVa. its quick and easy and definitely does the job. its not a fancy place by any means, and half of their business is take out orders. it attracts all the mclean and great falls natives looking for comfort sushi. if you eat in, you get free miso . ive been going her for nearly 10 years, and its been the same waitstaff and sushi chefs since i was in high school. they are wonderfully attentive. its simplistic and straight forward. Mexican and Alaskan rolls are great.
(5)
Caitlin Q.
Great hole in the wall place! The sushi is fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and always very attentive. My family and I usually go once a week. The prices are very reasonable and the sushi is great. I've only had positive experiences at Ichi Ban.
(5)
Christina C.
When we lived in mclean, this was a staple for us. The fish is very fresh and service is fast. The wait can be a tad long pending timing--not many tables or room at the bar. Definitely try the calimari salad and california hand roll - my two staples. We'll definitely be coming back, Ichi Ban!
(5)
Honey B.
Sooo I never ever ever leave Yelp reviews because I am super lazy. However, I wanted to gush about the lunch I just had. First of all, I was super annoying and ordered "off the menu" and it was no problemo at all for the staff. The sushi was amazing, the best sushi in the McLean area for sure. The customer service was amazing. I heard one of the staff taking a to go order on the phone and the person obv did not have a menu or a clue because she was describing everything to him/her in great detail and was happy to do it, not crabby like most restaurant staff. Awesome, amazing, fabulous place. My only regret is that I only have 5 stars to give, I would give them 10 if I could!
(5)
Ji-In L.
I feel it is my duty to warn any sushi lover not to go here. Now I know that I can be a bit of a sushi snob but I know that I am not exaggerating when I say I have had better sushi at the grocery store. The fish was bleh. Colorless frozen fish (you can tell it's the frozen blocks thawed out and not fresh cut fish by the drab color). I'm actually fine with this at most cheap sushi places because you get what you pay for. But at Ichiban, it wasn't even that cheap. The rice was hardly even sushi rice. I think the chefs thought you could just cook regular sticky rice and roll it up in some seaweed and call it sushi. The uni was inedible. And I couldn't even eat more than one piece of the McLean Roll. Why would you put those ingredients together?? Like I said, I am a sushi snob, so I also have to say that the maki and nigiri were all poorly cut (the maki was cut all different shapes and sizes and look butchered with a dull knife; the nigiri was just a butchered piece of fish slapped on top of a mishandled ball of rice) and did not look appetizing on the plate. I would kind of expect all this at one of those really cheap places (maybe). But like I said, this place isn't even that cheap. The two of us spent about $70 for fish, two beers and tip. Maybe they were having an off (very very off) day when I went but I will not be going back.
(1)
V M.
Just not really good. Had two rolls and they were just...meh. It wasn't offensive and the service was fine, but I wished the food was better, and my sushi standards aren't particularly high. It was quiet and I did like that a lot. If I am going to pay basically the same as better places, I may as well go to those places though. So many people do really love it, though, I wonder if I just placed an unfortunate order.
(3)
Dora G.
I have been going to Ichiban for over 10 years now. It was my first introduction to sushi in high school and there is no better place to have your first California Roll :) Now that I've graduated to more interesting rolls such as Eel Rolls and their yummy Mexican Roll -- I still believe their sushi is the best. However, you cannot miss their Teriyaki Chicken. It is the best Teriyaki Chicken I have ever had and I have been to a lot of sushi places!
(5)
Tu-van L.
By far the best sushi place in the area. You most definitely get your money's worth with both quantity and quality of sushi. Tuna is that deep ruby red color that it should be and the salmon is thick and meaty. All fish and eel are fresh, meaty and large in portion. When you go, definitely check out their sushi specials on their whiteboard. Believe me and everyone else - this place is TINY. Good thing take out is an option. The wait staff is very friendly and attentive and there's plenty fo sushi chefs taking orders for dine-ins and take-outs. Parking in the front is very little, but there's plenty in the back. And don't be a klutz like me and trip over ther puddles and bumpy paving in their dimly lit lot on the way to coffee afterwards.
(5)
Nate T.
I love Ichiban. Love it. I have been coming here since they opened over 6 years ago and the quality has been consistent thorough. The staff is friendly and the service is great. The sushi is reasonably priced and always tastes fresh. I cant come here enough. Golden roll.
(5)
John S.
Went here for lunch, had some sushi and some rolls. The salmon role with jalapeño was good, not too spicy but some great flavor. The sushi was fresh, with large pieces of fish. The place is in an old strip mall and right on the road but not real visible as you drive by. Service was attentive but not stifling.
(4)
Sean L.
Appertizer is not bad, other is OK, no better than other JP restaurants in the area.
(3)
Miji C.
Don't let the 3 stars fool you...it's good especially if you work around Mclean, this is the spot you need to go if you're in need of a quick sushi fix. I come here at least 2 to 3 times a month with my sushi buddy from work. I would recommend the white tuna with avocado roll and the alaskan roll. pretty good! I tried the chicken teriyaki there too which was yummy... So the reason for the 3 stars, I feel like I'm rushed out every time I'm here...I understand that they need quick turn arounds due to the small space but I hate feeling rushed. Service differs at times...mostly good, friendly. To summarize...this is my sushi restaurant of choice for lunch..would not go there for dinner.
(3)
Mai H.
Overall - decent. I got a variety of the crunch and spicy rolls. I love the crunchy lobster. It's a small and quaint place, so I was surprised that it took forever for them to take my order.
(4)
Karen R.
My friend and I have a monthly date night at Ichiban. We start at 6:30 pm and stay ...sometimes we are the last to leave. We never feel rushed. We have a great time, the food is excellent and I always try something else. This place is always packed but it does not bother us and we never have to wait long for a table. I love the Utah roll, the miso soup and sushi.
(5)
Christopher L.
I ordered takeout sashimi, I was a little disappointed they didn't have any bento boxes. The Sashimi was small and it looked a little old. Some of it was starting to become loose. I was hoping to find an inexpensive place to get some average quality fish. I didn't find it. I ended up paying $17 for a simple lunch sashimi order I wasn't happy with. It did look like they had a lot of options for rolls. This might be a good inexpensive place to get some rolls. Unfortunately this idea isn't very appealing to me.
(2)
Ali S.
Small and sometimes crowded; however they have great sushi and friendly service.
(4)
WL R.
Just walked over for an impromptu dinner to go. Not only was the staff incredibly helpful and prompt, the food was ready in an instant. I got the double salmon roll, beautiful pieces of fresh salmon wrapped around more salmon and avocado and a spicy scallop roll. The spicy scallop roll is ok, it's not very spicy, but tastes fresh. Seaweed salad is yummy, definitely fresh and not overly oily. Total for all three was $25, and what really impressed me was that when they ran my credit card, before they handed it to me, they had 'x-ed' out the tip section. So the question is whether or not I would come back. I'm not sure. One of my favorite sushi joints is another few blocks away, I would probably head there (see more reviews for details.)
(3)
Gene I.
The people here are very nice and I do like the neighborhood style restaurant feel but the sushi is just not good. The rice is literally balled up in a hard ball and the fish is cut too thick. I got the tamago for my 18 mo old and he threw it up later in the evening. It's not all the cheap either! I know that many people on here seem to enjoy it there and that's great but for others this place just doesn't cut it. Sushi is a delicate culinary art form and requires proper training to be successful at it. For the money I would drive into Foxhall and eat sushi at Kotobuki. $1pc sushi and with a genuine sushi staff much better quality.
(1)
Sarah T.
Love this place! Great sushi for a good price! Although it's very small and you sometimes have to wait a long time to get a table its worth the wait.
(5)
Anna H.
I love the sushi rolls here. I've been coming for years and its probably the first sushi I ever liked! Its reliably good and open during the afternoon on days other places are closed. My favorites are the Utah roll, white tuna jalepeno roll, and the spicy salmon roll!
(4)
jimmmeeee r.
This place is usually great. I like the soft shell crab spider rolls. My only complaint it that the local rich brats from the high schools eat lunch there. The place turns into what I remember hating about high school. Loud high school punk antics.
(4)
Will L.
We went here based on the strength of the reviews and based on the price we paid I think I'd rather just get supermarket sushi. Granted, we just ordered for take away (it was packed inside and we had a big casual group) so I can't say anything about the atmosphere or service of the restaurant. The sushi + sashimi were fine, but nothing really justified the price, or made the place stand out. I doubt I'll go back. Certainly not ichiban ("number one").
(2)
Robin A.
I have been going to Ichiban since 2003 and I absolutely LOVE it. The owners are the best and the food is always amazing. The miso soup is great and the california roll is fantastic. MY favorites are the sashimi appetizer, avocado salad, manhattan hand roll, and the golden roll. I live in Herndon now but I will drive all the way out there to have Ichiban!
(5)
John B.
Took my daughter for our 1st sushi attempt at Ichi Ban. Whoa. We sat at the sushi bar, and there were ants all over the place. Ants. Mind you, the sushi I was about to eat was 2 feet from me. I am pretty sure ants can walk 2 feet. We ate a soft-shell roll, crab roll, and Cali roll; started with edamame. While the service was good, and food was good, you cannot have bugs in the open. This was a Saturday night too. Never ever go back.
(2)
Rowena E.
Still love this place and keep coming back for more. Food, prices, and service are still great. New fave item is the Oyster Hand Roll -- see the specials board. Yum. I seriously would eat here ALL the time. oh wait... I do.
(5)
Candace C.
Simple sushi at typical McLean prices. It's tiny, gets really crowded for unknown reasons and not my first choice of sushi establishments. The only highlight for me is that they do california rolls the way they should be done--with the broke up fake crab meat, rather than the chunks.
(2)
Candace H.
Great Sushi!! Everything else is delicious... I loved the seaweed salad. Next time I go back I will need to try the Calamari salad. The ambiance is cute, the place is small, the staff are attentive, and nothing is too expensive. Beats most of the sushi joints in DC that I've been to.
(4)
Victor P.
There are much better sushi restaurants in McLean than Ichiban -- Miyagi and Tachibana to name two. The service and wait staff of Ichiban are competent and friendly; however, the sushi is a different story. I tried their namesake 'Ichiban' roll which was dry and not worthwhile. I tried to give them a second chance by ordering simple tuna nigiri, but the quality of the tuna was very low. As a result of this experience, and two others, I give this restaurant two stars because I've definitely experienced better.
(2)
Rachel A.
IchiBan is a small, but cute, little sushi restaurant with a great selection of sushi. I have only been here once, and it has a variety of different rolls that I have not seen elsewhere (I forget the names of the rolls, but there was a large variety, but it wasnt just the common stuff you find at other sushi restaurants). I read the reviews about fast service, but I didnt notice anything out of the ordinary about this. I remember the sushi was fine, not spectacular. The only reason why I gave this restaurant 2 stars instead of 3 was because I found a piece of papertowel rolled into my last piece of sushi, I had to pull it out of my mouth because I didnt know what it was. When I showed it to the waiter, he looked at me funny, he didnt appologize, and he didnt offer to bring me something else or even take it off the check. I was highly disappointed at the service, and for this, I wouldnt come back again.
(2)
Jane B.
I went for the first time yesterday, and love it, the staff is very friendly. I will be going back.
(5)
Craig D.
Best Sushi in the DC area hands down. I have been going here for about 10 years, they have the best sushi rolls. Would Reccomend: 1. California Roll (Not a CA Roll fan, but best California Roll I've ever tasted) 2. Utah Roll
(5)
Eva G.
Continuing my culinary adventures in the lovely state of VA. I think mad a resolution claiming I will no longer mock the state and stop emphasizing how they are so not DC... because yet - they do have some great restaurants and Ichi Ban is one of them! This unassuming little place in McLean is easy to miss as it is off 123 in McLean proper in a stripmall-ish place. It's a tiny place with seats at the inevitable counter where you can watch them make the tasty treats. There are maybe 15 tables squeezed in the place and lots of folks popped in and out picking up orders. The waitstaff was eager to clear our plates and bring us the check to turn the table I guess. So that would be my one recommendation they change. Where was I... The food! Great, fresh sushi. We had a bunch of the rolls. Tasty! They have quite a few rolls with crunch which I love. We also had a Mexican roll with fresh cilantro it was so tasty and such a nice surprise combining the tuna with the cilantro. Mmmmh! They have very limited alcohol offering - 1 red wine by the glass 1 white wine by the glass and some beers - but you don't really come here to booze it up, do you! (-:
(4)
Remy M.
What this restaurant lacks in square-footage, it makes up for with fish. Granted, I'm no sushi connoisseur, but theirs is certainly better than most other places I've been. Generous portions of fish. Friendly staff. A great place to eat with a friend or two but not 12, as I'm not sure you would all be able to fit.
(5)
Sofia E.
Sushi is usually pretty tasty. Very nice staff and good customer service. The reason I will not give 4/5 stars is one time I ate here and the sushi seemed a bit slimy. I don't think that's normal.
(3)
Alex S.
I didn't want to review it and let the word get out. Best sushi in the DC area, only problem is that it's out in McLean. Well worth the drive though, about $4 a roll and $4 a drink. Tiny dining room and it only takes about 5 minutes to get your food. They have party trays and take out, but if I had a party I wouldn't waste good Ichiban sushi on anyone but myself.
(5)
Tina M.
I'm gonna have to drop them to 2 stars. I hadn't been in a while. I went for lunch the other day. It was OK - but really nothing special. It still gets packed, but if I had to wait now-a-days, I'd rather wait at Tachibana right down the street. :-|
(2)
Michelle B.
Before you do anything, just listen: get the calamari salad. Trust me. I wouldn't steer you wrong. Be warned: it's highly addictive and you will find yourself with uncontrollable hankerings. If it's chilly and your tummy needs some warming, get the Nabeyaki Udon (thick noodle soup with tempura, fishcake and veggies). For rolls, you need to open wide for the Futo Maki, but it's worth it. My friends and I have been meeting up at Ichiban for years. It's a cozy place and by cozy I mean be ready to get in on everyone's conversation. C.C., her husband and their staff are very, very gracious hosts and seem genuinely happy that you're dining with them. Once we went there and a fleet of black SUV's were jammed outside the crammed parking lot and you could barely squeeze in the door. Taking up most of the tables were men with earpieces looking very distracted. In walked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and his brood. I don't know what your political persuasion is, but I think we should take some of our taxpayer dollars and save up to buy his wife some manners. She literally shoved people out of the way to get to her table and spoke to CC and the other wait staff as if she couldn't be bothered. They were still very gracious towards her. Anyway, this is one of the most fairly-priced, fresh sushi joints in the area.
(5)
Camelia D.
I have been going here for over 10 years. The staff and the food remain consistent. Great quality sushi for its price. Great when having parties. The do a great party platter. Love Ichiban
(5)
June J.
i like this place. its small like literally i think their capacity will be like 15? but their sushi has always been good. their miso isnt that fresh. it seems like whenever i got it it tasted stale and days old. so i usually opt for udon. which is good. their rolls and sushi are normal size and they dont have those fancy rolls you would find at other places but i like it that its simple and easy. i'll be in and out. service is pretty good. if you sit at the bar the chef usually hands you some samples or gives you something thats not on the menu. definitely like a neighborhood sushi place. where most customers are regulars.
(4)
Jenn R.
This small restaurant located at the end of a shopping center, across the street from the Greek Taverna. I was a little disappointed. The sushi was okay, I've had better. I thought whatever my friend ordered was dried out and didn't look appetizing. :( But the high marks makes me want to try it again, maybe I missed something.
(3)
Miss E.
This place is pretty average, but I like it. It's very tiny, maybe 6 tables set really close together and a few chairs at the bar. I prefer to get take-out, which is always quick. The sushi rolls are pretty good. My faves are the spicy tuna, mexican, and philly. Sometimes the rolls are sloppy. The service is great, though. They are super friendly and attentive. If I didn't live near here, I wouldn't go out of my way to stop by. Overall, a decent place for locals to get sushi.
(3)
Matthew P.
been eating here almost weekly for a year now. Just like any local restaurant you have to know what to order... the spicy scallop hand roll and Mexican rolls are great. I know it is often poo-pood but they have THE best California Roll - it comes with the sushi dinner along with two pieces each of salmon, yellow tail and tuna. Price is average (expensive b/c it is sushi) but nice people, great service and super FAST. Not good for large groups as the place is tiny.
(3)
Aaron E.
The moment you are seated, a steaming hot bowl of miso is seated with you. Once you are settled in, a friendly waiter or waitress will take your order. Your order will come as fast as they can make it. You will usually not be kept waiting for your food. I think the price and quality are perfectly blended. Try the calamari salad. The calamari salad is marinated in some excellent vinegar blend. It tastes like a seaweed salad, but it is made of squid, cucumber, and seaweed. Beware, the place is small. On weekends the wait can be up to an hour. They prepare carry-out.
(5)
Yair M.
You really cant beat this place when it comes to cost. That doesn't mean they skimp on quality. Very reasonably priced with decent options. I personally like the lunch options.
(4)
Stephanie N.
MMm.. I love good sushi places...... I just tried it yesterday for lunch with a girlfriend who's in love with the place. I have to say - it really did live up to all of the hype she's been feeding me. It is a teeny tiny place, which is good because it limits how much is ordered and doesn't stress out the sushi chefs tooooo much. In turn - making my food come out even better :) (of course they were doing a ton of take out too) The wait staff was super friendly, albeit totally busy. I had miso soup served right away, ordered 2 rolls, and had a mochi for dessert for approximately $11+tip. Pretty damn good price for all of that if you ask me.
(5)
Pinkie B.
My main complaint is the rice! Sushi rice should really be room temperature while the fish remains cold. Ichi Ban's sushi rice was way too cold and hard. It was also tasteless. I just had dinner there tonight with my friend. We had tried several of their specialty rolls which were all in the same condition. I won't be going back.
(2)
Katie B.
Well, after reading the reviews...i just HAD to try it out. I was surprised to find that the calamari salad was not on the menu...but I ordered it...and LOVED it! I will definitely be going back for that! As far as the sushi goes, nothing overly impressed me. It's a pretty mainstream selection. The spicy tuna hand roll was SOOOO MONEY! It's a VERY small place and they don't take reservations...so if you're starving, eat something before you get there. The sushi comes out very quickly once you order it. The only thing I didn't like is something that is common in small places; everyone who works there stares at you if it's not busy. If you can get over being the center of attention...you HAVE to try this place out! Don't forget....ask for the calamari salad!
(4)
Jack C.
I have seen lots of great reviews on this restaurant so decided to try it out last night. Frankly I don't think this one is nearly as good as others I have been to. One thing to note is that there's a big banner "Open Now" outside of the restaurant so I hope it's under the new management. The Octopus Salad (forgot the name as well) was good, but others were so-so.
(3)
Erik V.
This place introduced me to amazing sushi! Super small joint but delivers quality service and food at cheap prices. I love sitting at the bar and there is this octopus salad appetizer that is great but I can't remember the name. It gets crowded but the take out is fast too!
(4)
nat t.
I think I set my expectations too high on this one, but I'd still go back. Pricing was pretty good. Parking is a bit painful. I didn't realize until after I'd finished my meal that there was a specials menu on the wall. Doh! Will check that out next time.
(3)
Kathy W.
One of the best!
(5)
Todd F.
No doubt my other favorite sushi joint in northern VA. I found this place nearby to where I worked in Tyson's Corner and was hooked from my first meal. The white tuna is really good when available. The owners are really cool, laid back, and friendly. The calamari salad is $money$
(5)
Takaki K.
Maybe my expectation was too high based on all the reviews, but I was disappointed. The service was friendly and fish was alright. The problem is that just by looking at their nigiri sushi, you can tell that the chef does not have proper training. Fish was cut in like a rectangle sheet, and rice was like a ball. Consequently it appeared as if fish was just placed over a ball of rice, rather than fish and rice shaped together to be called sushi. What sushi chef would wear a glove to make sushi anyway? Also, tuna was so thin that I could see through the rice.
(2)
Ariel S.
The place is very small and is always packed. I ordered the salad with ginger dressing, which was good. I also had a California roll, shrimp tempura roll, and a sweet potato roll. The sweet potato was a little under cooked. I've had better. The California roll was yummy and so was the shrimp tempura roll. Don't know if I'd go back...
(3)
Jenn S.
Quick, fresh, sushi served pleasantly in a small dining room. You'll only wait 5 mins max for a takeout order, even if the restaurant is full (limited seating helps). I haven't had the tempura or grilled offerings, but the sushi is as good or better than most local establishments, and it's prepared efficiently. The octopus sunomono (calamari salad) is a surprisingly generous portion on vinegar-dressed cucumber, tasty and very "clean". For those who like to keep rice limited, the sashimi at Ichi Ban is reasonably priced for the amount, fresh and flavorful. Udon noodles in soup have great texture but the broth is missing flavor. Looking forward to trying other options.
(4)
Annie K.
We were craving for Japanese between 2:30 and 5PM, which is when most Japanese restaurants are closed between lunch and dinner. The couple that we were double dating with stumbled upon Ichi Ban, so we met them up there. I wish I read Jackie N.'s review before I dined here, because I felt like I completely ordered the wrong things! We started off with the edamame and seaweed salad, which didn't taste any different than any other restaurant. I ordered the Utah Roll, the McLean Roll, and Spicy Scallop Roll. Even though they were generous on the fish, most of my rolls fell apart when I picked them up. The service was great throughout our meal -- the server was really friendly and constantly refilled our hot teas. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but I can see it being a popular lunch spot in McLean. I might try this place next time if I'm in the area, because after reading the reviews, it definitely deserves a second chance.
(3)
michelle y.
Had not been here in over 9 years or so. I thought it used to be Japanese run but maybe not back then either. The rolls were ok, sushi was ok but oddly enough the chicken teriyaki ordered for my kiddo was delish.
(3)
George N.
This is a nice sushi place. They have great lunch specials and the sushi is always fresh. I would recommend this for groups of up to four people. Larger than that and it might be a little tight.
(4)
Jonathan D.
One of the best places to eat in all of McLean (maybe the Washington D.C. area), and definitely my favorite by far. Staff is incredibly nice and caring. The sushi is delicious, and although the prices have gone up a bit recently, there's no doubt I'll keep eating here. Would recommend to anyone.
(4)
Kimmy L.
***2.5*** Like most sushi places in the area, this restaurant is pretty small. This usually doesn't concern me, however, the setup makes you feel like you are packed like sardines! Not a very comfortable atmosphere especially for conversation. The specialty rolls are written on a white board which is difficult to see unless you happen to be seated right in front of the board. It was kind of a pain to have to keep getting out of my seat to read the board. Not only that, but the rolls don't have any descriptions so I had to keep asking our poor server to explain them to me. When our sushi rolls came out, I felt like they had way too much rice and weren't constructed well. None of the rolls that we ordered blew me away either. Service was friendly and prices were fairly cheap but it just didn't satisfy me the way sushi usually does.
(2)
Michela A.
Ichi ban is our favorite sushi restaurant. I have been going there for years and now it is my 5 year old daughter's favorite too. They even make her chopsticks that she can use. The rainbow maki is my favorite and the kid loves the double salmon roll. The staff is always very friendly. Enjoy!
(5)
Kaci D.
First, I have to give the sushi five stars. They really choose their fish well! The salmon is always nice and fatty (the way it should be) and sooo delicious! They are very attentive of food allergies, as well, and have tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) for people like me who can't tollerate gluten. I wish I could come here all the time! The service here is also really good. Everyone is very friendly and helpful with the menu. They are always willing to make suggestions and don't mind if you say, "surprise me!" When you order food, it's always out very quickly as well. Five minutes seems to be about average from order time to receiving food. The only down part is the written menu. Most of the sushi places I've been to have a little card that you can check off with the various things that you want, and they have longer menus with more items etc. What they do have, they do very well, and I don't think they need to have a bunch of new items, but a check card and a clearer menu would be fantastic. Anyway, just go here. No one doesn't like Ichi Ban!
(4)
KtMila F.
The food was OK. Coming from California, I guess were spoiled with delicous sushi. The tuna hand roll was good but nothing to write home about, the sashimi appetizer I ordered tasted fresh and the slices were very thick which was nice. The service was very good as well, my drink was never empty and I never had to flag down a waitress for requests. Iv had better sushi at chains like RA and pearl. One of the major downfalls, they desperately need a serious design renovation. Both interior and exterior. As for pricing, average.
(2)
Ashley H.
I love this place!!! You can always count on Ichiban to be super fast. If you have a half hour lunch break Ichiban is the place to go!! I also highly recommend the mclean roll with hot tea.
(5)
Gaby P.
They're open and back in business again! Good and service are good as always. Welcome back!
(5)
N A.
BEST sushi in the DMW. My friends and I crave this place all the time. The fact that the restaurant is small gives it so much character. With only a few tables and bar seating, Ichiban feels like you're dining in the comfort of someone's home. Ichiban is a family owned business and very popular for a reason. The service is wonderful and the food is prepared much more quickly than you'd expect!
(5)
Cee D.
Loved this small place. Very high quality sushi. Unfortunately it appears to be boarded up and closed.
(4)
Rima N.
Best sushi ever! Maybe a bit pricier than others I have been to before, but for the quality of the sushi, the speed and the AMAZING service, its worth it! I go at least 2-3 times a week since its 5 minute walk from my job! Its perfect!!
(5)
Prairie S.
This place is McLean's best kept secret. The service is heart warming and the sushi is authentic and wonderful.
(5)
Kate J.
Mcleans best spot for sushi in my opinion. It's a small place but they do offer carry out as well. Their sushi never disappoints and is always fresh, which makes sense since its family owned. Besides the sushi their seaweed and calamari salad are on point, as well as their beef teriyaki. Would highly recommend this place!
(5)
Megan P.
I have a special place in my heart for Ichi Ban. I've been going here since high school when I tried sushi for the very first time on Valentine's Day with a guy friend I was totally crushing on. Aside from the nostalgia I get from coming here, the staff is always so sweet and welcoming, and the sushi is delicious. It's always fresh and served quickly. To me, it's hard to find solid sushi places that offer plenty of classic options -- lots of places are getting too creative with their roles. This is a tiny place but I've never had trouble finding a seat.
(5)
Marlon A.
This is the best sushi in the whole wide world! Maybe not but the best I have found so far. I am a very picky eater and I tried very expensive sushi in different cities around the US and Latin America and this is the best sushi I have found so far. I will update my review when I visit Japan ;-) The owners run the restaurant and that keeps the service and quality of the food top notch. I visited this place several times and I have never been disappointed. The prices are very reasonable and that is a plus. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Diane B.
This restaurant has the friendliest staff ever. The sushi has a good amount of fish for the price, especially at lunch. It is not heavy on the sauces, which is to my liking. This is definitely my favorite sushi place in McLean.
(4)
Biba B.
My friend and I walked in not quite knowing how this place was going to turn out. It turned out yummy! FANTABULOUS! excellent food, great value for and very friendly staff. Go now!
(5)
John C.
Went here on a Friday night with my wife and daughter. Very small restaurant. We were seated immediately nonetheless. The Sushi is good. Nothing mind-blowing but it got the job done with no unpleasant surprises. Ichi Ban's real strength lies in it's service. The three servers were very, very attentive and quick. They kept all of our beverages full without us ever asking for a refill (we liked that) and they had the special kids chopsticks for my six year old sushi lovin' daughter. I would definitely go here again if in the area.
(4)
Lisa D.
Love this place. Mr. lee and staff are wonderful and the food is great. I eat here at least 2 times a week for the last 5 years..keep doing a great job
(5)
Tou M.
My first sushi restaurant in McLean, Virginia and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of sushi. The miso soup was flavorful and hot with a fair amount of tofu and seaweed. The overall service was good and all our orders arrived at our table quickly. I'm not too much of sushi snob but the nigiri could use some improving in terms of using the correct amount of rice and at the right temperature with a hint of rice wine vinegar and a small dab of wasabi between the rice and fish. Also, I did notice the cuts of sashimi used to make my nigiri varied slightly in size and in thickness. Regardless everything was quite good.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jackie N.
Ichi Ban is so yummy and I miss living in McLean, because my dad and I used to swing by all the time. The restaurant is tiny and a little cramped, but it's one of the quickest and freshest sushi places around. Their menu is extremely simple, just basic salads, udon, a couple sashimi specials with rice, and their list of rolls is always on the whiteboard on the wall. I'm going to let you in on a secret. The Utah roll is one of their specialities and is probably one of my favorite sushi rolls every. It is simple shrimp tempura, avocado, tuna, and spicy mayo. But they don't have it on the menu anymore. I ordered it by name every time. If you come here, you have to try it! I also love love love their spicy scallop roll, it's is so tasty with the scallions and my mouth is literally watering as I am writing this and thinking about it. The rolls are all on the thin side with rice, which is what I really like. They are so quick and a great lunch spot. I love Ichi Ban above all the other McLean sushi restaurants and above Tachibana, which is right down the street and a big favorite in the McLean area.
(4)Bianca R.
This has been my second home for the last ten years and after going to Japan, I can still say this is by far the best when it comes to quality, selection, service and taste!! Thank you SOOOO much for making delicious white tuna avocado rolls and amazing handrolls. I love the miso and seaweed salad. Love this place!
(5)H. Y.
This place is good! The employees and owners are always so nice and accommodating. I've been going to Ichiban forever and its pretty solid.
(4)Bex H.
We order take from here at least once a week, it seems. They are quick and the rolls are amazing.
(5)Hiwa A.
This has been one of my favorite places for the past 10 years. It's not super authentic japanese, but they have fantastic rolls with a really good filling-to-rice ratio (most of the rolls are the fish/inside, not overwhelmingly rice and a little piece of fish like some other places). I usually don't like california rolls, but theirs are fantastic. I also love their spicy tuna, salmon & jalapeno, and their mclean roll. I am also a big fan of their ginger dressing on the salad. The service is great- they are VERY friendly. The place is tiny and simple, but I often get take out whenever I'm in mclean. Another bonus: if you order take-out they cross out the tip line on your credit card receipt.
(5)Linda C.
Very good quality sushi. The price is similar to supermarket sushi but much fresher. The flavors in my California roll and spicy tuna roll were very well balanced. This is a small place with several tables and a sushi bar. It was easy to get a seat at lunch. Will definitely come here again.
(4)Eloise L.
I love this place!! Small and amazing sushi!! Try their California roll they are delicious. Freah and melty. The service is so so nice. They care so much about their customers, I love them. Prices are very reasonable for sushis. Go there you won't regret it!!
(5)Mark W.
Ichi Ban isn't the best sushi place in the world. There, I said it...BUT! I love coming here for my sushi fix in McLean. To allay people's worries about the special rolls. They have a separate menu sheet with each roll and their contents. My favorites: Golden Roll Ichiban hand Roll Spicy/Crunchy Lobster Roll. Friendly staff, always greeted with a smile. If you find yourself in McLean, and don't feel like splurging on Tachibana, Ichi Ban is a safe bet.
(4)Melanie C.
I've been spoiled by an amazing sushi place near my house so everything else pales in comparison, but this is a great place to go when I'm at work and want sushi. The rolls are good and the staff is friendly. Always a place to sit and it's very cozy. The rolls are fresh and delish!
(4)Marisa L.
The sushi here is amazing! The rolls are all delicious! The food is just okay. If you're hungry for a meal, don't go here. If you're craving sushi, this definitely is the place to go!
(4)Shane K.
Ichi Ban was the first sushi place I tried in McLean and was very happy with it. The rolls are consistently good, especially the Philadelphia and Baltimore rolls, and the service is always attentive and on spot. After eating at several other places, I had to mark it down from a 5 star to a 4. The ambiance is less than perfect but when I go to a restaurant to eat, I care more about the food than other things. Lunch specials are also a great deal (Typically two rolls for around $8) and it is much less crowded at lunch times. I keep coming back here every once in a while and never leave disappointed.
(4)Paul R.
Best sushi in McLean, in my opinion. That's not saying much, but this place is the cream of the admittedly limited crop. Everything's very good. Some of the specialty rolls are unique - like a Baltimore roll that had old bay and crab. Good service. Reasonable priced. Across the board, a very positive experience.
(4)Amanda M.
Went here for lunch yesterday and pretty disappointed. $7.95 lunch special for tuna roll and yellowtail roll. So here's the weird part, if you blindfolded me I honestly couldn't tell you which roll was which. That's bad! :/ I also ordered $4.75 salmon nigiri which was a really large heaping portion of salmon over a little ball of rice. Me like-y. And I normally don't comment about non-alcoholic beverages in my reviews but the fountain sodas were awful! The place is really small too, felt a bit cramped.
(2)Alicia N.
Ichi Ban is probably one of the better sushi places in McLean. Working in McLean, I always need a good option for lunch and this is where I often opt to go (for carryout). The place is pretty small but it has probably 15 tables and a bar to sit at for dining in, but I haven't. Whenever I place my order, the customer service is OUTSTANDING and my it is always correct. Definitely a plus. It is always ready on time as well. My usual order? Spicy tuna roll and the California hand roll. Both are very good and are filling. The miso soup is also excellent and I often add that and the salad with ginger dressing. If you're looking for quick service, satisfying sushi and a good experience, Ichi Ban is the place. If you want a trendy spot, Buddha Bar in DC is probably a better idea.
(4)John M.
I visited yesterday for a quick lunch and was politely greeted at the door. That was pretty much the highlight of the experience. Crowded into a tight space with cheap decor, I sat at the pinched sushi bar with lovely views of a large fish refrigerator which prevents you from watching the "master" at work. Actually, he had a perpetual scowl, the kind, say, one wears while repairing a toilet or skinning a squirrel. He couldn't be bothered for a friendly nod or even a glance. The five ladies standing to the side sure were friendly, though, and my iced tea was perpetually filled. I ordered the combo California and tuna rolls with a side of spicy scallop. The spicy scallop arrived as a hand roll which I sent back. It arrived back moments later chopped up with a quick-slap addition of rice. It looked like what you might get from a sushi instructional course full of bored drunk housewives (nothing wrong with that, mind you). To complete the disaster, the spicy scallop was mostly composed of runny mayonnaise. Yum. The other sushi was serviceable, but completely lacking in any aesthetic quality. I've seen 7/11 boxed sushi presented with more effort and care. The side salad I ordered was hunks of iceberg lettuce drowned with a huge glop of sickeningly sweet ginger...something. It was messy and inedible. This impressive lunch set me back a twenty and I will NOT be back. Ever. Actually, how this place can survive within striking distance of a truly world-class sushi restaurant like Tachibana remains a total mystery. In McLean looking for sushi? Go there.
(2)Adrienne A.
We love this little place. It's tiny, but mighty! Try the calamari salad; it's fresh and delicious. We are addicted the Manhattan Rolls and the Spider Rolls. I had the Futo Maki the other day and it rocked. Miso soup, never my favorite, but theirs is great. PLUS - -You can chow down and not have a calorie catastophe. The staff is friendly and attentive. Service is quick and the prices in keeping with the area - -meaning a little expensive, but hey, it's McLean. And it's easy to park. This is a gigantic, yet under-rated, blessing. Good job, Ichiban!
(5)Siocnarf S.
Fantastic sushi place. Great fresh and very reasonably priced sushis. Great staff and the owners are so nice and kind.
(5)Grace M.
The people who work here are the absolute best. They are very attentive and you simply have to look over at a waiter and they'll be right there to get whatever you need. The food is just as great as the service. The hand rolls are some of the best I've had and their "big rolls" are HUGE and delicious. Their California Roll for some odd reason is sooo much better than anywhere else, and almost anyone can do it well-but they do it better
(5)Lindsey I.
This is my favorite place for sushi! Everything on the menu is fantastic! I have been going here for over 14 years and I will never go anywhere else. Best California Roll I have ever tasted.
(5)Girl with two forks and a knife -.
Zero...no stars..that's negative five stars. I've never felt more inspired to write a review than I did after I dined at Ichi Ban Sushi. I should have known better when I first spotted the overly bright pink ginger on a another diner's plate. Let me start with the octopus nigri because I can sum it up in one word - rubber. This is not/not my first time having octopus. Moving on to the yellowtail and tuna roll lunch special. It looked like and tasted like someone just slapped it together. This is by far the worst sushi that I've come across yet. It-s a level below the Safeway sushi (cringing, I know). The freshness is questionable. If you only ever had sushi at Ichi Ban, please, please venture out. When you have great sushi, you'll quickly realize that there is a HUGE difference between bad and great sushi. FYI- this all occurred on a Saturday, btw
(1)Erica G.
I don't know how this place has this many stars- people are either rating it for the chicken teriyaki or have never had good restaurant sushi. This sushi is on par or slightly less than that of whole foods- no, it probably isn't the worst on the planet, but I'm not comparing it to a grocery store, I'm rating it as a RESTAURANT, for which it fails miserably. Decor- ugly. Salmon belly- too fishy. Dragon roll- strange taste, like an herb that didn't belong, and I couldn't even see the eel. McLean roll- I only really tasted cream cheese, and it seemed to be stuffed with what appeared to be cooked tuna...not what one would expect with a sushi roll. Do yourselves a favor people, head to Kaz in DC and experience high quality sushi.
(1)Bianca K.
Yummy sushi at a good price. The service is great and crazy quick. If I want great food fast I always go here.
(5)Brian R.
They offer brown rice for the sushi, which I haven't seen anywhere else around here. The rolls were tasty and freshly prepared, staff is friendly, and it's a convenient location.
(5)Zeki G.
Ichi Ban is the best Sushi in Mclean. Miso soup and their sushi is great. Service is very good. Staff is friendly and the owners really take care of their customers. Some people compare it to KAZ (I have seen mayo on their seaweed salad ). It is not as expensive as KAZ but I think food is comparable.
(5)James B.
The jalapeño rolls are amazing. The tiny seating area is a bit cramped during the lunch rush during the week. If you'd like a seat avoid the rush. Some of the servers have a tough time speaking English but they except cash or credit when paying. Great spot for a quick meal.
(4)Adrienne D.
Ichiban is the best sushi around town. I have been going to Ichiban for the last 6 years and it has never disappointed me. The service is quick, the food is excellent and the prices can't be beat. I have referred a number of my friends to Ichiban and every single one of them loves it - even those who aren't huge sushi fans. I have tried a lot of sushi restaurants around the DC area over the years and Ichiban remains my #1 favorite. Also, their hand rolls are amazing. They are never small and puny like most sushi restaurants. Their hand rolls are usually overflowing with fish. Their maki rolls are never small or a waste of money. You always get your money's worth eating here! Plus, miso soup is included with your meal and I've never paid extra for their hot green tea. The one downside to Ichiban is that the restaurant is small and on busy days, you usually have to wait to eat, but they always offer you a beverage while you wait. I will continue to be a long time customer at this restaurant!
(5)Jake K.
Ok - I went here based on everyone else's reviews only to find that my island brother, Takaki, had it right. The sushi chef here doesn't seem to have the proper training and just slapped together sushi based on his own view of what it should look like. I have to give them credit - the service was good for what I was doing. Coming in to get a take out order usually requires flagging people down and trying to corner them, but the gentleman inside quickly handed me a menu and didn't try to ask questions since I was on the phone at the same time. I fired off my order for three rolls and the staff quickly went to work. Since the place is ridiculously small, I had to step out to hear anything (then again, I can also blame it on my inferior chip-set laden iPhone) at which point they brought my bill out to me and took my card. The card came back with the food - but bless them, they put an "X" in the tip spot since it was a carry out order. Now, how many restaurants do that for you? I haven't seen them yet actually just went back up to revise my 2-star rating to a 3-star for that (now that I think about it). I'll come back to dine inside one day and see if anything else on the menu is good - but for now, I'll stick with Tachibana for my sushi in McLean.
(3)S H.
For sushi, it's okay but not stellar. I would advise against ordering the California roll, in my opinion it's awful here. the service is very good, always quick! I would say order a more complicated roll and you might get something good.
(3)Frank W.
Large portions but average taste. Small rustic interior.
(3)Uppasna C.
Great place for sushi!
(5)Grace B.
I love ichiban!! It is a typical downtown McLean no-frills, slightly dated restaurant. But this shouldn't matter when seeking high quality sushi. The food is GREAT! Everything! The sushi is FRESH! It is a very clean restaurant & well lit. Always packed. The lady who runs it is delightful. She is always happy, upbeat & appreciative of the business. Love this place!
(5)Marianne L.
For its simplicity, I love Ichi Ban. Sushi is by far my favorite meal, and I like dropping by here for a quick bite when I'm in the area and my lunch experiences have always been very positive (especially compared to the less than stellar lunch offering at the more pompously overrated Tachibana nearby). There is absolutely nothing pretentious about the place. Its about as simple as it gets with just a few tables and a sushi bar with stools, but I embrace that simplicity and just enjoy coming here to fill my raw fish wishes in the area. Sure the decor is not the spiffiest, but I'm not here to stare at the walls. I'm also not here to have that orgasmic sushi experience - I'm here for lunch, simple nutrition and a little break in my day. So I assess and evaluate Ichi Ban on what they try to be, and not judge them by what they are not. I've dropped plenty of coin on sushi and gorged at some supremely wonderful and decadent sushi bars around the country. And when I want that Japanese rapture experience, I go somewhere that tries to offer that. But that is not what this place is about. Its about fresh fish, served quickly, with a pleasant hello and a smile. Its an in-and-out dining experience, not a lazy casual affair that goes on for hours. The menu is limited (hence the 4-star and not 5). You can't get every type of fish or the variety of rolls that you would at a larger sushi bar. But what they do, they do very well. I'd rather have a sushi place (or any restaurant for that matter) do less better, than try to offer up ever option under the sun. My sake (salmon) nigiri is always very fresh and the portion of fish on each piece is very generous. Always nice to have the rice play its proper supporting role and not the other way around. Other nigiri I've sampled has been equally as fresh and carefully crafted, but sake is my favorite so I keep coming back to that. I've also been very pleased with their hamachi (yellowtail) as well. I'm not a huge maki fan, but many of my sushi friends like them so I've probably sampled more than my fair share over the years. I really consider it something when I stop in someplace for sushi when I'm by myself and find that I opt for maki. I simply fell in love with Ichi Ban's negihama roll (hamachi and scallion). Perfect little rolls of fish and rice with sliced scallion wrapped in nori. Very tasty. What makes Ichi Ban for me is the staff. They are insanely efficient and deftly handle the constant flow of seated diners and those just getting take-out. While they never hover, they are very attentive. They do an amazing job turning the few tables they have, but I've never once felt rushed while dining. There is always a friendly person asking if you would like anything else, water and tea are always refilled without having to ask, and just a general warmth to the experience dining here.
(4)Alexa S.
Great little place to get lunch during the work day. Service was GREAT, very friendly and speedy. The sushi was fresh and the tuna handroll was fantastic.
(4)Seungri C.
I have been here over seven times and it's always for dinner. Their service is very excellent and wow, they really pay attention to their customers (Okay, not in a creepy way). They're very informative about the sushi on the menu, and also will let you know what is special and so forth. The sushi can get pricey, but hey, it's raw fish (you get what you pay for!). Only bad experience I had here was that I ordered 2 spicy tuna rolls and they gave me one... -_-; But other than that, the place is awesome.
(5)Aaron M.
Best sushi in Northern VA, absolute must if your a real sushi fan. Friendly staff that keeps things moving as its a true whole in the wall. Doesn't look like much but once the food comes you will know its one of those lucky great whole in the wall finds.
(5)Anne A.
Best sushi ever. We have been eating here for 10 years and have never had anything less than an outstanding meal. The staff is attentive and considerate. The only complaint is the locale is too small!! Sometimes you have to wait for a table and they don't take reservations. But we always come back and in spite if trying other sushi restaurants, we've never found one that is as good as Ichiban.
(5)Hue K.
I'm not sure why this place got so high rating.. I didn't find it any special or better than other sushi place. Sushi or other main dishes were priced similar to most DC restaurant so I didn't find much reason to choose Ichi Ban in this area unless I have no other choice. The menu didn't have anything special or unique compared to other places either. For me, it was just another ordinary sushi place with ordinary japanese dishes like teriyaki and etc.
(3)First C.
First and last time I'd eat here. I'm pretty sure fresh sushi is not supposed to smell or taste fishy... Never again. I couldn't get that fishy taste out of my mouth for hours. I have no idea how this place is still open. It's disgusting.
(1)Brittany H.
This was a tough rating.... i actually want to give it 3.5 stars for the following reasons. It's a hole in the wall, with stellar prices. Although, sushi is sushi...I personally believe it's about how much management cares enough to maintain their quality sushi grade. So really, you will have a hit or miss nights....I'm pretty sure of that. Pros: I am never disappointed by the quality. It's not exceptional, but just about every time the sushi comes out fresh and tasty. The service is always excellent & speedy (it helps when they recognize you as being loyal). I take small bites, so the sushi rolls are just small and perfect size bites. Also, their non-sushi food is pretty decent as well. You also can't beat the price. it's so cheap! Cons: Very small and selection could be limited. (however, they do have fatty tuna/salmon). If I wanted nicer decor, I'd hit up Georgetown.
(3)Greg O.
Its a tiny restaurant- seating is limited and cramped. But the sushi was worth it. The friends I ate with raved about the calamari salad. The hand roll sushi is a interesting take on the typical sushi roll. The eel roll I had was delicious, as was the ginger salad. If you are in McLean and looking for a good sushi place for a quick lunch or dinner, I would recommend it.
(4)David J.
Emergency sushi only I'm afraid. Reasonably priced but you get what you pay for here. Specifics: Alaska roll (salmon and crunch) was with cooked salmon (what the heck?) Hamachi sushi was yellow with a factory made appearance/cut (should really be light pink) Miso was at least warm but very finely chopped tofu and spinach - just seemed very predictable even thought it's a basic staple. The salmon sushi was decent although not memorable. Male server (think he is also the proprietor) was not very polite and generally just miserable. The restaurant was empty when I was dining and yet they still immediately cleared my plate literally as soon as I'd taken the last piece of sushi from my plate, asking me (mechanically, not really caring) how it was while I was enjoying my last bite with my mouth full. If you're local and need a quick fix without wanting to spend a ton of money this is the place. Otherwise, head to Tachibana with a few more dollars, sit at the bar and enjoy a much better, more authentic experience.
(2)Yelp R.
I have been going to Ichiban & getting takeout from there for almost 5 years... at least once a month! From my experience, it is the freshest & most consistent sushi place among the *five* sushi places in McLean. The service has always, always, always been really friendly, attentive & prompt. Despite its cozy size, we always manage to get a table or a place at the sushi bar. Once in a while there's a wait, but never for very long. The food is simple, which allows it to be consistent & fresh, which, in my book, are the most important criteria about sushi. Their nabeyaki udon is also really wonderful! FYI, they're closed on Sundays.
(5)Chow N.
I went here for lunch as an alternative to Tachibana down the street. I've been going there since they started out in Arlington, but wanted to give this joint a try, since I live nearby. I found the place to be totally rushed, and although the sushi/rolls were decent, there's no compelling reason for me to return. The place is small/cramped, and they hover over you to make sure you get quick service so that you can be done and leave. For the price I paid, I think I would have been more full eating at Tachibana instead, in a more relaxed atmosphere.
(3)Xi W.
**3.5 stars** Doesn't really hold a flame to Tachibana down the street if you're looking for sushi or authentic Japanese cuisine, but Ichi Ban has it's niche in making some interesting and funky rolls, like the McLean, softshell crab, and spicy scallop rolls. They also make one of the best spicy tuna hand rolls I've had. Try to ask for no rice and extra cucumbers. Fantastic! The tiny place is packed at lunch and dinner hours, and makes a good candiate for fast and easy takeout.
(3)Nicole R.
Service is always phenomenal. And the place is ALWAYS packed. Food is good, ambiance is good, prices are meh. I've been going to Ichiban for years because I think it's the best sushi in McLean. I do wish, though, that their specialty rolls (found on a board, not printed in any menu) weren't so pricey. I usually get their Sashimi w/ Bowl of Rice (Lunch) but I make sure to ask that they cut the fish into smaller pieces. They'll serve you three huge pieces of salmon and two huge hunks of tuna. The Teryaki Chicken is really great too, and the Miso Soup is to die for! The biggest draw to Ichiban is the service. Tachibana (down the street) is alright, but service doesn't begin to compare.
(4)Francesca C.
this is the best cheap sushi in the metro area, bar none. it is the "Cheers" of the sushi circuit in NoVa. its quick and easy and definitely does the job. its not a fancy place by any means, and half of their business is take out orders. it attracts all the mclean and great falls natives looking for comfort sushi. if you eat in, you get free miso . ive been going her for nearly 10 years, and its been the same waitstaff and sushi chefs since i was in high school. they are wonderfully attentive. its simplistic and straight forward. Mexican and Alaskan rolls are great.
(5)Caitlin Q.
Great hole in the wall place! The sushi is fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and always very attentive. My family and I usually go once a week. The prices are very reasonable and the sushi is great. I've only had positive experiences at Ichi Ban.
(5)Christina C.
When we lived in mclean, this was a staple for us. The fish is very fresh and service is fast. The wait can be a tad long pending timing--not many tables or room at the bar. Definitely try the calimari salad and california hand roll - my two staples. We'll definitely be coming back, Ichi Ban!
(5)Honey B.
Sooo I never ever ever leave Yelp reviews because I am super lazy. However, I wanted to gush about the lunch I just had. First of all, I was super annoying and ordered "off the menu" and it was no problemo at all for the staff. The sushi was amazing, the best sushi in the McLean area for sure. The customer service was amazing. I heard one of the staff taking a to go order on the phone and the person obv did not have a menu or a clue because she was describing everything to him/her in great detail and was happy to do it, not crabby like most restaurant staff. Awesome, amazing, fabulous place. My only regret is that I only have 5 stars to give, I would give them 10 if I could!
(5)Ji-In L.
I feel it is my duty to warn any sushi lover not to go here. Now I know that I can be a bit of a sushi snob but I know that I am not exaggerating when I say I have had better sushi at the grocery store. The fish was bleh. Colorless frozen fish (you can tell it's the frozen blocks thawed out and not fresh cut fish by the drab color). I'm actually fine with this at most cheap sushi places because you get what you pay for. But at Ichiban, it wasn't even that cheap. The rice was hardly even sushi rice. I think the chefs thought you could just cook regular sticky rice and roll it up in some seaweed and call it sushi. The uni was inedible. And I couldn't even eat more than one piece of the McLean Roll. Why would you put those ingredients together?? Like I said, I am a sushi snob, so I also have to say that the maki and nigiri were all poorly cut (the maki was cut all different shapes and sizes and look butchered with a dull knife; the nigiri was just a butchered piece of fish slapped on top of a mishandled ball of rice) and did not look appetizing on the plate. I would kind of expect all this at one of those really cheap places (maybe). But like I said, this place isn't even that cheap. The two of us spent about $70 for fish, two beers and tip. Maybe they were having an off (very very off) day when I went but I will not be going back.
(1)V M.
Just not really good. Had two rolls and they were just...meh. It wasn't offensive and the service was fine, but I wished the food was better, and my sushi standards aren't particularly high. It was quiet and I did like that a lot. If I am going to pay basically the same as better places, I may as well go to those places though. So many people do really love it, though, I wonder if I just placed an unfortunate order.
(3)Dora G.
I have been going to Ichiban for over 10 years now. It was my first introduction to sushi in high school and there is no better place to have your first California Roll :) Now that I've graduated to more interesting rolls such as Eel Rolls and their yummy Mexican Roll -- I still believe their sushi is the best. However, you cannot miss their Teriyaki Chicken. It is the best Teriyaki Chicken I have ever had and I have been to a lot of sushi places!
(5)Tu-van L.
By far the best sushi place in the area. You most definitely get your money's worth with both quantity and quality of sushi. Tuna is that deep ruby red color that it should be and the salmon is thick and meaty. All fish and eel are fresh, meaty and large in portion. When you go, definitely check out their sushi specials on their whiteboard. Believe me and everyone else - this place is TINY. Good thing take out is an option. The wait staff is very friendly and attentive and there's plenty fo sushi chefs taking orders for dine-ins and take-outs. Parking in the front is very little, but there's plenty in the back. And don't be a klutz like me and trip over ther puddles and bumpy paving in their dimly lit lot on the way to coffee afterwards.
(5)Nate T.
I love Ichiban. Love it. I have been coming here since they opened over 6 years ago and the quality has been consistent thorough. The staff is friendly and the service is great. The sushi is reasonably priced and always tastes fresh. I cant come here enough. Golden roll.
(5)John S.
Went here for lunch, had some sushi and some rolls. The salmon role with jalapeño was good, not too spicy but some great flavor. The sushi was fresh, with large pieces of fish. The place is in an old strip mall and right on the road but not real visible as you drive by. Service was attentive but not stifling.
(4)Sean L.
Appertizer is not bad, other is OK, no better than other JP restaurants in the area.
(3)Miji C.
Don't let the 3 stars fool you...it's good especially if you work around Mclean, this is the spot you need to go if you're in need of a quick sushi fix. I come here at least 2 to 3 times a month with my sushi buddy from work. I would recommend the white tuna with avocado roll and the alaskan roll. pretty good! I tried the chicken teriyaki there too which was yummy... So the reason for the 3 stars, I feel like I'm rushed out every time I'm here...I understand that they need quick turn arounds due to the small space but I hate feeling rushed. Service differs at times...mostly good, friendly. To summarize...this is my sushi restaurant of choice for lunch..would not go there for dinner.
(3)Mai H.
Overall - decent. I got a variety of the crunch and spicy rolls. I love the crunchy lobster. It's a small and quaint place, so I was surprised that it took forever for them to take my order.
(4)Karen R.
My friend and I have a monthly date night at Ichiban. We start at 6:30 pm and stay ...sometimes we are the last to leave. We never feel rushed. We have a great time, the food is excellent and I always try something else. This place is always packed but it does not bother us and we never have to wait long for a table. I love the Utah roll, the miso soup and sushi.
(5)Christopher L.
I ordered takeout sashimi, I was a little disappointed they didn't have any bento boxes. The Sashimi was small and it looked a little old. Some of it was starting to become loose. I was hoping to find an inexpensive place to get some average quality fish. I didn't find it. I ended up paying $17 for a simple lunch sashimi order I wasn't happy with. It did look like they had a lot of options for rolls. This might be a good inexpensive place to get some rolls. Unfortunately this idea isn't very appealing to me.
(2)Ali S.
Small and sometimes crowded; however they have great sushi and friendly service.
(4)WL R.
Just walked over for an impromptu dinner to go. Not only was the staff incredibly helpful and prompt, the food was ready in an instant. I got the double salmon roll, beautiful pieces of fresh salmon wrapped around more salmon and avocado and a spicy scallop roll. The spicy scallop roll is ok, it's not very spicy, but tastes fresh. Seaweed salad is yummy, definitely fresh and not overly oily. Total for all three was $25, and what really impressed me was that when they ran my credit card, before they handed it to me, they had 'x-ed' out the tip section. So the question is whether or not I would come back. I'm not sure. One of my favorite sushi joints is another few blocks away, I would probably head there (see more reviews for details.)
(3)Gene I.
The people here are very nice and I do like the neighborhood style restaurant feel but the sushi is just not good. The rice is literally balled up in a hard ball and the fish is cut too thick. I got the tamago for my 18 mo old and he threw it up later in the evening. It's not all the cheap either! I know that many people on here seem to enjoy it there and that's great but for others this place just doesn't cut it. Sushi is a delicate culinary art form and requires proper training to be successful at it. For the money I would drive into Foxhall and eat sushi at Kotobuki. $1pc sushi and with a genuine sushi staff much better quality.
(1)Sarah T.
Love this place! Great sushi for a good price! Although it's very small and you sometimes have to wait a long time to get a table its worth the wait.
(5)Anna H.
I love the sushi rolls here. I've been coming for years and its probably the first sushi I ever liked! Its reliably good and open during the afternoon on days other places are closed. My favorites are the Utah roll, white tuna jalepeno roll, and the spicy salmon roll!
(4)jimmmeeee r.
This place is usually great. I like the soft shell crab spider rolls. My only complaint it that the local rich brats from the high schools eat lunch there. The place turns into what I remember hating about high school. Loud high school punk antics.
(4)Will L.
We went here based on the strength of the reviews and based on the price we paid I think I'd rather just get supermarket sushi. Granted, we just ordered for take away (it was packed inside and we had a big casual group) so I can't say anything about the atmosphere or service of the restaurant. The sushi + sashimi were fine, but nothing really justified the price, or made the place stand out. I doubt I'll go back. Certainly not ichiban ("number one").
(2)Robin A.
I have been going to Ichiban since 2003 and I absolutely LOVE it. The owners are the best and the food is always amazing. The miso soup is great and the california roll is fantastic. MY favorites are the sashimi appetizer, avocado salad, manhattan hand roll, and the golden roll. I live in Herndon now but I will drive all the way out there to have Ichiban!
(5)John B.
Took my daughter for our 1st sushi attempt at Ichi Ban. Whoa. We sat at the sushi bar, and there were ants all over the place. Ants. Mind you, the sushi I was about to eat was 2 feet from me. I am pretty sure ants can walk 2 feet. We ate a soft-shell roll, crab roll, and Cali roll; started with edamame. While the service was good, and food was good, you cannot have bugs in the open. This was a Saturday night too. Never ever go back.
(2)Rowena E.
Still love this place and keep coming back for more. Food, prices, and service are still great. New fave item is the Oyster Hand Roll -- see the specials board. Yum. I seriously would eat here ALL the time. oh wait... I do.
(5)Candace C.
Simple sushi at typical McLean prices. It's tiny, gets really crowded for unknown reasons and not my first choice of sushi establishments. The only highlight for me is that they do california rolls the way they should be done--with the broke up fake crab meat, rather than the chunks.
(2)Candace H.
Great Sushi!! Everything else is delicious... I loved the seaweed salad. Next time I go back I will need to try the Calamari salad. The ambiance is cute, the place is small, the staff are attentive, and nothing is too expensive. Beats most of the sushi joints in DC that I've been to.
(4)Victor P.
There are much better sushi restaurants in McLean than Ichiban -- Miyagi and Tachibana to name two. The service and wait staff of Ichiban are competent and friendly; however, the sushi is a different story. I tried their namesake 'Ichiban' roll which was dry and not worthwhile. I tried to give them a second chance by ordering simple tuna nigiri, but the quality of the tuna was very low. As a result of this experience, and two others, I give this restaurant two stars because I've definitely experienced better.
(2)Rachel A.
IchiBan is a small, but cute, little sushi restaurant with a great selection of sushi. I have only been here once, and it has a variety of different rolls that I have not seen elsewhere (I forget the names of the rolls, but there was a large variety, but it wasnt just the common stuff you find at other sushi restaurants). I read the reviews about fast service, but I didnt notice anything out of the ordinary about this. I remember the sushi was fine, not spectacular. The only reason why I gave this restaurant 2 stars instead of 3 was because I found a piece of papertowel rolled into my last piece of sushi, I had to pull it out of my mouth because I didnt know what it was. When I showed it to the waiter, he looked at me funny, he didnt appologize, and he didnt offer to bring me something else or even take it off the check. I was highly disappointed at the service, and for this, I wouldnt come back again.
(2)Jane B.
I went for the first time yesterday, and love it, the staff is very friendly. I will be going back.
(5)Craig D.
Best Sushi in the DC area hands down. I have been going here for about 10 years, they have the best sushi rolls. Would Reccomend: 1. California Roll (Not a CA Roll fan, but best California Roll I've ever tasted) 2. Utah Roll
(5)Eva G.
Continuing my culinary adventures in the lovely state of VA. I think mad a resolution claiming I will no longer mock the state and stop emphasizing how they are so not DC... because yet - they do have some great restaurants and Ichi Ban is one of them! This unassuming little place in McLean is easy to miss as it is off 123 in McLean proper in a stripmall-ish place. It's a tiny place with seats at the inevitable counter where you can watch them make the tasty treats. There are maybe 15 tables squeezed in the place and lots of folks popped in and out picking up orders. The waitstaff was eager to clear our plates and bring us the check to turn the table I guess. So that would be my one recommendation they change. Where was I... The food! Great, fresh sushi. We had a bunch of the rolls. Tasty! They have quite a few rolls with crunch which I love. We also had a Mexican roll with fresh cilantro it was so tasty and such a nice surprise combining the tuna with the cilantro. Mmmmh! They have very limited alcohol offering - 1 red wine by the glass 1 white wine by the glass and some beers - but you don't really come here to booze it up, do you! (-:
(4)Remy M.
What this restaurant lacks in square-footage, it makes up for with fish. Granted, I'm no sushi connoisseur, but theirs is certainly better than most other places I've been. Generous portions of fish. Friendly staff. A great place to eat with a friend or two but not 12, as I'm not sure you would all be able to fit.
(5)Sofia E.
Sushi is usually pretty tasty. Very nice staff and good customer service. The reason I will not give 4/5 stars is one time I ate here and the sushi seemed a bit slimy. I don't think that's normal.
(3)Alex S.
I didn't want to review it and let the word get out. Best sushi in the DC area, only problem is that it's out in McLean. Well worth the drive though, about $4 a roll and $4 a drink. Tiny dining room and it only takes about 5 minutes to get your food. They have party trays and take out, but if I had a party I wouldn't waste good Ichiban sushi on anyone but myself.
(5)Tina M.
I'm gonna have to drop them to 2 stars. I hadn't been in a while. I went for lunch the other day. It was OK - but really nothing special. It still gets packed, but if I had to wait now-a-days, I'd rather wait at Tachibana right down the street. :-|
(2)Michelle B.
Before you do anything, just listen: get the calamari salad. Trust me. I wouldn't steer you wrong. Be warned: it's highly addictive and you will find yourself with uncontrollable hankerings. If it's chilly and your tummy needs some warming, get the Nabeyaki Udon (thick noodle soup with tempura, fishcake and veggies). For rolls, you need to open wide for the Futo Maki, but it's worth it. My friends and I have been meeting up at Ichiban for years. It's a cozy place and by cozy I mean be ready to get in on everyone's conversation. C.C., her husband and their staff are very, very gracious hosts and seem genuinely happy that you're dining with them. Once we went there and a fleet of black SUV's were jammed outside the crammed parking lot and you could barely squeeze in the door. Taking up most of the tables were men with earpieces looking very distracted. In walked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and his brood. I don't know what your political persuasion is, but I think we should take some of our taxpayer dollars and save up to buy his wife some manners. She literally shoved people out of the way to get to her table and spoke to CC and the other wait staff as if she couldn't be bothered. They were still very gracious towards her. Anyway, this is one of the most fairly-priced, fresh sushi joints in the area.
(5)Camelia D.
I have been going here for over 10 years. The staff and the food remain consistent. Great quality sushi for its price. Great when having parties. The do a great party platter. Love Ichiban
(5)June J.
i like this place. its small like literally i think their capacity will be like 15? but their sushi has always been good. their miso isnt that fresh. it seems like whenever i got it it tasted stale and days old. so i usually opt for udon. which is good. their rolls and sushi are normal size and they dont have those fancy rolls you would find at other places but i like it that its simple and easy. i'll be in and out. service is pretty good. if you sit at the bar the chef usually hands you some samples or gives you something thats not on the menu. definitely like a neighborhood sushi place. where most customers are regulars.
(4)Jenn R.
This small restaurant located at the end of a shopping center, across the street from the Greek Taverna. I was a little disappointed. The sushi was okay, I've had better. I thought whatever my friend ordered was dried out and didn't look appetizing. :( But the high marks makes me want to try it again, maybe I missed something.
(3)Miss E.
This place is pretty average, but I like it. It's very tiny, maybe 6 tables set really close together and a few chairs at the bar. I prefer to get take-out, which is always quick. The sushi rolls are pretty good. My faves are the spicy tuna, mexican, and philly. Sometimes the rolls are sloppy. The service is great, though. They are super friendly and attentive. If I didn't live near here, I wouldn't go out of my way to stop by. Overall, a decent place for locals to get sushi.
(3)Matthew P.
been eating here almost weekly for a year now. Just like any local restaurant you have to know what to order... the spicy scallop hand roll and Mexican rolls are great. I know it is often poo-pood but they have THE best California Roll - it comes with the sushi dinner along with two pieces each of salmon, yellow tail and tuna. Price is average (expensive b/c it is sushi) but nice people, great service and super FAST. Not good for large groups as the place is tiny.
(3)Aaron E.
The moment you are seated, a steaming hot bowl of miso is seated with you. Once you are settled in, a friendly waiter or waitress will take your order. Your order will come as fast as they can make it. You will usually not be kept waiting for your food. I think the price and quality are perfectly blended. Try the calamari salad. The calamari salad is marinated in some excellent vinegar blend. It tastes like a seaweed salad, but it is made of squid, cucumber, and seaweed. Beware, the place is small. On weekends the wait can be up to an hour. They prepare carry-out.
(5)Yair M.
You really cant beat this place when it comes to cost. That doesn't mean they skimp on quality. Very reasonably priced with decent options. I personally like the lunch options.
(4)Stephanie N.
MMm.. I love good sushi places...... I just tried it yesterday for lunch with a girlfriend who's in love with the place. I have to say - it really did live up to all of the hype she's been feeding me. It is a teeny tiny place, which is good because it limits how much is ordered and doesn't stress out the sushi chefs tooooo much. In turn - making my food come out even better :) (of course they were doing a ton of take out too) The wait staff was super friendly, albeit totally busy. I had miso soup served right away, ordered 2 rolls, and had a mochi for dessert for approximately $11+tip. Pretty damn good price for all of that if you ask me.
(5)Pinkie B.
My main complaint is the rice! Sushi rice should really be room temperature while the fish remains cold. Ichi Ban's sushi rice was way too cold and hard. It was also tasteless. I just had dinner there tonight with my friend. We had tried several of their specialty rolls which were all in the same condition. I won't be going back.
(2)Katie B.
Well, after reading the reviews...i just HAD to try it out. I was surprised to find that the calamari salad was not on the menu...but I ordered it...and LOVED it! I will definitely be going back for that! As far as the sushi goes, nothing overly impressed me. It's a pretty mainstream selection. The spicy tuna hand roll was SOOOO MONEY! It's a VERY small place and they don't take reservations...so if you're starving, eat something before you get there. The sushi comes out very quickly once you order it. The only thing I didn't like is something that is common in small places; everyone who works there stares at you if it's not busy. If you can get over being the center of attention...you HAVE to try this place out! Don't forget....ask for the calamari salad!
(4)Jack C.
I have seen lots of great reviews on this restaurant so decided to try it out last night. Frankly I don't think this one is nearly as good as others I have been to. One thing to note is that there's a big banner "Open Now" outside of the restaurant so I hope it's under the new management. The Octopus Salad (forgot the name as well) was good, but others were so-so.
(3)Erik V.
This place introduced me to amazing sushi! Super small joint but delivers quality service and food at cheap prices. I love sitting at the bar and there is this octopus salad appetizer that is great but I can't remember the name. It gets crowded but the take out is fast too!
(4)nat t.
I think I set my expectations too high on this one, but I'd still go back. Pricing was pretty good. Parking is a bit painful. I didn't realize until after I'd finished my meal that there was a specials menu on the wall. Doh! Will check that out next time.
(3)Kathy W.
One of the best!
(5)Todd F.
No doubt my other favorite sushi joint in northern VA. I found this place nearby to where I worked in Tyson's Corner and was hooked from my first meal. The white tuna is really good when available. The owners are really cool, laid back, and friendly. The calamari salad is $money$
(5)Takaki K.
Maybe my expectation was too high based on all the reviews, but I was disappointed. The service was friendly and fish was alright. The problem is that just by looking at their nigiri sushi, you can tell that the chef does not have proper training. Fish was cut in like a rectangle sheet, and rice was like a ball. Consequently it appeared as if fish was just placed over a ball of rice, rather than fish and rice shaped together to be called sushi. What sushi chef would wear a glove to make sushi anyway? Also, tuna was so thin that I could see through the rice.
(2)Ariel S.
The place is very small and is always packed. I ordered the salad with ginger dressing, which was good. I also had a California roll, shrimp tempura roll, and a sweet potato roll. The sweet potato was a little under cooked. I've had better. The California roll was yummy and so was the shrimp tempura roll. Don't know if I'd go back...
(3)Jenn S.
Quick, fresh, sushi served pleasantly in a small dining room. You'll only wait 5 mins max for a takeout order, even if the restaurant is full (limited seating helps). I haven't had the tempura or grilled offerings, but the sushi is as good or better than most local establishments, and it's prepared efficiently. The octopus sunomono (calamari salad) is a surprisingly generous portion on vinegar-dressed cucumber, tasty and very "clean". For those who like to keep rice limited, the sashimi at Ichi Ban is reasonably priced for the amount, fresh and flavorful. Udon noodles in soup have great texture but the broth is missing flavor. Looking forward to trying other options.
(4)Annie K.
We were craving for Japanese between 2:30 and 5PM, which is when most Japanese restaurants are closed between lunch and dinner. The couple that we were double dating with stumbled upon Ichi Ban, so we met them up there. I wish I read Jackie N.'s review before I dined here, because I felt like I completely ordered the wrong things! We started off with the edamame and seaweed salad, which didn't taste any different than any other restaurant. I ordered the Utah Roll, the McLean Roll, and Spicy Scallop Roll. Even though they were generous on the fish, most of my rolls fell apart when I picked them up. The service was great throughout our meal -- the server was really friendly and constantly refilled our hot teas. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but I can see it being a popular lunch spot in McLean. I might try this place next time if I'm in the area, because after reading the reviews, it definitely deserves a second chance.
(3)michelle y.
Had not been here in over 9 years or so. I thought it used to be Japanese run but maybe not back then either. The rolls were ok, sushi was ok but oddly enough the chicken teriyaki ordered for my kiddo was delish.
(3)George N.
This is a nice sushi place. They have great lunch specials and the sushi is always fresh. I would recommend this for groups of up to four people. Larger than that and it might be a little tight.
(4)Jonathan D.
One of the best places to eat in all of McLean (maybe the Washington D.C. area), and definitely my favorite by far. Staff is incredibly nice and caring. The sushi is delicious, and although the prices have gone up a bit recently, there's no doubt I'll keep eating here. Would recommend to anyone.
(4)Kimmy L.
***2.5*** Like most sushi places in the area, this restaurant is pretty small. This usually doesn't concern me, however, the setup makes you feel like you are packed like sardines! Not a very comfortable atmosphere especially for conversation. The specialty rolls are written on a white board which is difficult to see unless you happen to be seated right in front of the board. It was kind of a pain to have to keep getting out of my seat to read the board. Not only that, but the rolls don't have any descriptions so I had to keep asking our poor server to explain them to me. When our sushi rolls came out, I felt like they had way too much rice and weren't constructed well. None of the rolls that we ordered blew me away either. Service was friendly and prices were fairly cheap but it just didn't satisfy me the way sushi usually does.
(2)Michela A.
Ichi ban is our favorite sushi restaurant. I have been going there for years and now it is my 5 year old daughter's favorite too. They even make her chopsticks that she can use. The rainbow maki is my favorite and the kid loves the double salmon roll. The staff is always very friendly. Enjoy!
(5)Kaci D.
First, I have to give the sushi five stars. They really choose their fish well! The salmon is always nice and fatty (the way it should be) and sooo delicious! They are very attentive of food allergies, as well, and have tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) for people like me who can't tollerate gluten. I wish I could come here all the time! The service here is also really good. Everyone is very friendly and helpful with the menu. They are always willing to make suggestions and don't mind if you say, "surprise me!" When you order food, it's always out very quickly as well. Five minutes seems to be about average from order time to receiving food. The only down part is the written menu. Most of the sushi places I've been to have a little card that you can check off with the various things that you want, and they have longer menus with more items etc. What they do have, they do very well, and I don't think they need to have a bunch of new items, but a check card and a clearer menu would be fantastic. Anyway, just go here. No one doesn't like Ichi Ban!
(4)KtMila F.
The food was OK. Coming from California, I guess were spoiled with delicous sushi. The tuna hand roll was good but nothing to write home about, the sashimi appetizer I ordered tasted fresh and the slices were very thick which was nice. The service was very good as well, my drink was never empty and I never had to flag down a waitress for requests. Iv had better sushi at chains like RA and pearl. One of the major downfalls, they desperately need a serious design renovation. Both interior and exterior. As for pricing, average.
(2)Ashley H.
I love this place!!! You can always count on Ichiban to be super fast. If you have a half hour lunch break Ichiban is the place to go!! I also highly recommend the mclean roll with hot tea.
(5)Gaby P.
They're open and back in business again! Good and service are good as always. Welcome back!
(5)N A.
BEST sushi in the DMW. My friends and I crave this place all the time. The fact that the restaurant is small gives it so much character. With only a few tables and bar seating, Ichiban feels like you're dining in the comfort of someone's home. Ichiban is a family owned business and very popular for a reason. The service is wonderful and the food is prepared much more quickly than you'd expect!
(5)Cee D.
Loved this small place. Very high quality sushi. Unfortunately it appears to be boarded up and closed.
(4)Rima N.
Best sushi ever! Maybe a bit pricier than others I have been to before, but for the quality of the sushi, the speed and the AMAZING service, its worth it! I go at least 2-3 times a week since its 5 minute walk from my job! Its perfect!!
(5)Prairie S.
This place is McLean's best kept secret. The service is heart warming and the sushi is authentic and wonderful.
(5)Kate J.
Mcleans best spot for sushi in my opinion. It's a small place but they do offer carry out as well. Their sushi never disappoints and is always fresh, which makes sense since its family owned. Besides the sushi their seaweed and calamari salad are on point, as well as their beef teriyaki. Would highly recommend this place!
(5)Megan P.
I have a special place in my heart for Ichi Ban. I've been going here since high school when I tried sushi for the very first time on Valentine's Day with a guy friend I was totally crushing on. Aside from the nostalgia I get from coming here, the staff is always so sweet and welcoming, and the sushi is delicious. It's always fresh and served quickly. To me, it's hard to find solid sushi places that offer plenty of classic options -- lots of places are getting too creative with their roles. This is a tiny place but I've never had trouble finding a seat.
(5)Marlon A.
This is the best sushi in the whole wide world! Maybe not but the best I have found so far. I am a very picky eater and I tried very expensive sushi in different cities around the US and Latin America and this is the best sushi I have found so far. I will update my review when I visit Japan ;-) The owners run the restaurant and that keeps the service and quality of the food top notch. I visited this place several times and I have never been disappointed. The prices are very reasonable and that is a plus. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Diane B.
This restaurant has the friendliest staff ever. The sushi has a good amount of fish for the price, especially at lunch. It is not heavy on the sauces, which is to my liking. This is definitely my favorite sushi place in McLean.
(4)Biba B.
My friend and I walked in not quite knowing how this place was going to turn out. It turned out yummy! FANTABULOUS! excellent food, great value for and very friendly staff. Go now!
(5)John C.
Went here on a Friday night with my wife and daughter. Very small restaurant. We were seated immediately nonetheless. The Sushi is good. Nothing mind-blowing but it got the job done with no unpleasant surprises. Ichi Ban's real strength lies in it's service. The three servers were very, very attentive and quick. They kept all of our beverages full without us ever asking for a refill (we liked that) and they had the special kids chopsticks for my six year old sushi lovin' daughter. I would definitely go here again if in the area.
(4)Lisa D.
Love this place. Mr. lee and staff are wonderful and the food is great. I eat here at least 2 times a week for the last 5 years..keep doing a great job
(5)Tou M.
My first sushi restaurant in McLean, Virginia and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of sushi. The miso soup was flavorful and hot with a fair amount of tofu and seaweed. The overall service was good and all our orders arrived at our table quickly. I'm not too much of sushi snob but the nigiri could use some improving in terms of using the correct amount of rice and at the right temperature with a hint of rice wine vinegar and a small dab of wasabi between the rice and fish. Also, I did notice the cuts of sashimi used to make my nigiri varied slightly in size and in thickness. Regardless everything was quite good.
(3)