Ichiban

For Californians in San Diego seeking a delightful and authentic Japanese dining experience, Ichiban is a name that resonates with locals. This established Japanese restaurant, often referred to as "Number One" in Japanese, has been a cornerstone of the Hillcrest community for years, serving up delicious and comforting Japanese cuisine to generations of diners. Ichiban is more than just a place to grab a meal; it's a welcoming spot where the food is consistently tasty, the service is genuinely kind, and the atmosphere feels like a familiar embrace.

Whether you're craving a rich, flavorful bowl of ramen, expertly prepared sushi rolls, or a variety of classic Japanese appetizers, Ichiban offers a diverse menu that caters to all tastes. What truly sets it apart is its dedication to providing quality food at reasonable prices, especially with its well-known happy hour specials. With both indoor and outdoor seating options available, Ichiban is a versatile choice for any occasion, from a quick solo meal to a comfortable gathering with friends. Its enduring popularity among locals is a testament to its consistent quality and heartwarming service.

Ichiban is conveniently located at 1449 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. This prime address places it right in the heart of Hillcrest, one of San Diego's most vibrant and easily accessible neighborhoods. For Californians, especially those residing in or visiting the San Diego metropolitan area, its location offers excellent accessibility.

University Avenue is a major and lively thoroughfare in Hillcrest, known for its eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and diverse dining establishments. Ichiban's central position on this avenue makes it simple to find and reach for many San Diegans. For those traveling by car, street parking can be found in the vicinity of University Avenue and the surrounding side streets. As with many popular urban areas across California, it's always advisable to allocate a little extra time for parking, particularly during peak dining hours. Furthermore, Hillcrest is well-served by public transportation routes, offering convenient alternatives for diners who prefer to use buses or other transit services, making Ichiban a readily accessible dining destination for numerous San Diego locals.

• Diverse Japanese Menu: Ichiban offers a broad range of Japanese classic dishes, not limited to just sushi. This includes appetizers, soups, noodles, and entrees.
• Delicious Ramen: Customers consistently praise the ramen, noting it's served in "big portions" and is "really tasty." Options like Pork Tonkotsu Ramen, Miso Ramen, and Shoyu Ramen are available.
• Sushi and Rolls: A wide selection of sushi rolls is available, including popular choices like Spicy Tuna Roll, California Roll, Rainbow Roll, and specialty rolls such as the Crunchy Roll, Hawaiian Roll, Red Dragon Roll, and Soft Shell Crab Roll.
• Sashimi and Nigiri: Ichiban serves various sashimi and nigiri options, allowing diners to enjoy fresh slices of raw fish or individual pieces of sushi.
• Happy Hour Specials: A significant highlight is their daily happy hour, running from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring discounted prices on popular sushi rolls, sake, and beer.
• Appetizers from Kitchen and Sushi Bar: The menu includes a variety of appetizers such as Edamame (including garlic salted), Gyoza (vegetable or pork, steamed or pan-fried), Age Tofu, Tatsuta Age, Shumai, Harumaki (Japanese spring rolls), and various tempura options. From the sushi bar, appetizers like Pepper Tuna, Tuna Tataki, Yellowtail Jalapeno, and Spicy Tuna Tartar are offered.
• Entrees and Combination Plates: They offer cooked entrees such as Teriyaki Dinner (chicken, beef, pork), Chicken or Pork Katsu, Unagi Don (BBQ eel over rice), and various stir-fried meat and vegetable dishes. Combination plates like the Samurai Bento A provide a mix of different items.
• Indoor Seating: Comfortable indoor dining space is available for patrons.
• Outdoor Seating: For those who prefer dining al fresco or are COVID-cautious, Ichiban offers outdoor seating options, including a sidewalk patio.
• Takeout Services: Happy hour sushi prices apply to takeout orders as well, indicating robust takeout service.

• Delicious and Generous Portions of Ramen: A major highlight is the ramen, described as "delicious" with "big portions," providing a satisfying and flavorful meal.
• Consistently Tasty Food: Customers who have been dining at Ichiban for years attest to the consistent quality and taste of the food.
• Excellent Happy Hour Specials: The daily happy hour from 4 PM to 8 PM is a significant draw, offering "reasonable" prices on popular rolls, sake, and beer, making quality Japanese food accessible.
• Super Nice and Attentive Staff: The service consistently receives high praise, with staff described as "especially nice," "very polite," and "adorable," who "take care of every customer" and even recognize regulars.
• Indoor and Outdoor Seating Options: The availability of both indoor and outdoor seating caters to different preferences, including those who are "COVID-cautious," providing flexibility and comfort.
• Long-Standing Local Favorite: Having been in business for decades (since 1981), Ichiban has established itself as a trusted and beloved institution in the San Diego community.
• Authentic Japanese Ownership and Management: The restaurant is noted for being "actually run by Japanese people" and having "elder Japanese staff," which contributes to an authentic dining experience.
• Variety of Rolls: Reviewers express enthusiasm to "definitely come back here to try the rolls," highlighting the appeal of their sushi menu.
• Reasonable Prices: Beyond happy hour, the general pricing is considered reasonable for the quality and portion sizes offered.

Ichiban is particularly well-known among Californians for its attractive and consistent Happy Hour specials, which run daily from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This extensive happy hour period is a significant promotion in itself, offering excellent value on some of their most popular items.

During Happy Hour, diners can enjoy discounted prices on a variety of sushi rolls, with popular options like the California Roll, Avocado & Cucumber Roll, and Spicy California Roll often priced at around $5. More elaborate rolls such as Spicy Tuna, Philadelphia, Eel, Sunny, Crunchy, Hawaiian, Rainbow, and Red Dragon rolls are also available at reduced rates, typically ranging from $6.50 to $8.75 for 8-piece rolls, and certain 5-piece rolls like Jumbo, Vegetable, and Soft Shell Crab rolls are also included.

Beyond sushi, Ichiban's Happy Hour extends to beverages, offering deals on sake (small for $4, large for $6), beer (small for $5, large for $6), and plum wine ($4.50). Importantly, these happy hour sushi prices are noted to apply to takeout orders as well, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for enjoying quality Japanese food at home. This consistent and generous happy hour is a major reason why many locals frequent Ichiban, considering it one of the best deals for sushi and Japanese cuisine in San Diego.

For those in California eager to experience the delicious Japanese cuisine and friendly atmosphere at Ichiban, here’s how you can get in touch:

Address: 1449 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA

Phone: (619) 299-7203

Feel free to call them for inquiries about their menu, current hours, happy hour details, or to place a takeout order.

Ichiban stands as an exceptionally suitable and beloved Japanese restaurant for Californians, particularly those in the San Diego area, for a multitude of compelling reasons. Its long-standing presence in the Hillcrest neighborhood, operating since 1981, speaks volumes about its enduring quality and connection with the community. For locals, this means a reliable and consistent dining experience, a place they can trust for delicious Japanese food year after year.

The core of Ichiban's appeal lies in its diverse menu that caters to a wide array of palates. Whether you're craving a hearty, flavorful bowl of ramen – praised for its "big portion and really tasty" nature – or a variety of expertly crafted sushi rolls, Ichiban delivers. The inclusion of both raw and cooked sushi options, along with popular specialties and other Japanese classics, ensures that everyone in a group can find something they love, making it a versatile choice for families, friends, and couples alike.

Perhaps one of the most significant draws for Californians is Ichiban's renowned daily Happy Hour from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This generous offer on a wide selection of sushi rolls, sake, and beer makes high-quality Japanese dining remarkably affordable, providing exceptional value that locals genuinely appreciate. Coupled with the genuinely "nice," "polite," and "adorable" staff who foster a welcoming atmosphere and remember their regulars, Ichiban creates a comfortable, almost home-like dining environment. The availability of both indoor and outdoor seating further enhances its suitability, offering flexibility for different preferences and seasons. For San Diegans seeking consistently tasty food, great value, and warm, attentive service, Ichiban is not just a restaurant; it’s a cherished local institution that continues to be a go-to for authentic Japanese cuisine.

Ichiban

1449 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, USA