Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant

For residents across Pennsylvania looking for a Japanese dining experience, Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Lancaster offers a range of options, particularly for those interested in hibachi-style cooking. Located conveniently in Lancaster, this restaurant aims to provide an engaging meal where food is prepared right before your eyes. While experiences can vary, Ichiban provides a setting for those seeking a lively dining atmosphere combined with Japanese and seafood cuisine. This article aims to provide a factual overview of what Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant offers to its local patrons in the Keystone State.

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant is known for its hibachi grills, where chefs entertain and cook meals directly at your table. This interactive style of dining is often a major draw for families and groups looking for an engaging evening out. Beyond hibachi, the restaurant also features a comprehensive menu that includes an extensive selection of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese culinary staples. However, recent customer feedback highlights some inconsistencies in food preparation and service, particularly regarding specific cooking requests and gratuity policies. Despite these reported challenges, the restaurant continues to operate, offering its unique dining style to the Lancaster community. Potential diners are encouraged to consider these varied experiences when planning their visit to ensure it aligns with their expectations for a Japanese restaurant.

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant is conveniently located at 1870 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, USA. Fruitville Pike is a major commercial artery in Lancaster, making the restaurant easily accessible for residents throughout the city and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. Its location within a commercial hub typically means ample parking is available, providing convenience for patrons arriving by car. This prime spot ensures that Ichiban is a readily reachable dining option for those seeking Japanese cuisine, whether for a planned outing or a spontaneous meal. The accessibility of its location contributes to its role as a local dining choice in the busy Lancaster landscape.

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant primarily focuses on providing an interactive hibachi dining experience, alongside other Japanese culinary offerings.

• Hibachi Dining: The central attraction at Ichiban is its hibachi grill experience. Meals are prepared by skilled chefs directly at the table, offering entertainment alongside the cooking process. This includes a range of steak (such as Filet Mignon, Sirloin Strip), seafood (like shrimp, scallops, lobster tail, salmon), and chicken options, often served with vegetables and fried rice. This interactive service style is popular for celebrations and group dining, providing a "dinner and a show" atmosphere. They also offer "Ichiban Packages" for birthday or office parties, suggesting dedicated services for celebrations.
• Extensive Japanese Menu: Beyond hibachi, Ichiban offers a comprehensive Japanese menu. This includes a dedicated Sushi Bar section with a grand selection of sushi rolls (e.g., California Roll, Dragon Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and specialty rolls such as Ichiban Special Roll and Phoenix Roll) and sashimi/nigiri (e.g., Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Eel). They also feature appetizers (e.g., Spring Rolls, Gyoza, Tempura), soups (Miso Soup, Clear Soup), salads (House Salad, Seaweed Salad), noodle entrees (Soba, Udon), and other traditional Japanese dinner entrees such as Teriyaki and Tempura dishes.
• Group Dining & Special Occasions: The hibachi setup is particularly well-suited for group dining, accommodating parties of various sizes. This makes it a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions where a communal and entertaining dining experience is desired.
• Dine-In Service: The restaurant offers a dine-in experience within its themed setting, designed to complement the hibachi show. It aims for an authentic Japanese atmosphere.
• Takeout and Delivery: Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant offers both takeout and delivery services, providing convenience for customers who prefer to enjoy their meals at home. Online ordering is available through various platforms.
• Full Bar: The establishment features a full bar, offering a wide selection of beverages including Japanese sake and signature cocktails, enhancing the dining experience for adult patrons.
• Lunch Menu: Ichiban offers a dedicated lunch menu, providing specials and lighter options for midday meals. This includes various lunch combinations and smaller portions of hibachi favorites.

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant has several features that might attract diners, particularly those looking for a specific type of dining experience.

• Interactive Hibachi Experience: The most significant highlight is undoubtedly the live hibachi cooking. Chefs perform culinary theatrics, including impressive knife skills and "rice volcanoes," while preparing meals directly at the table. This "dinner and a show" aspect is a major draw for many, especially for families and special events, creating a memorable evening.
• Variety of Proteins: Patrons can choose from a range of proteins, including signature steak (Filet Mignon, Sirloin), chicken, lobster, scallops, and shrimp, for their hibachi or other entrees. This extensive variety caters to different preferences and allows for customizable combination meals.
• Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The restaurant states a commitment to using "fresh, high-quality ingredients," including "freshest fish from the best markets around the world" for sushi and sashimi, and often locally sourced steak and poultry. This emphasis on ingredient quality is intended to elevate the culinary experience, ensuring vibrant and flavorful dishes.
• Extensive Sushi Selection: Beyond hibachi, Ichiban boasts a "grand selection of sushi rolls" and sashimi, prepared by "true masters of Japanese cuisine." This wide variety, from classic rolls to unique specialty creations like the "Ichiban Special Roll" and "Phoenix Roll," caters to sushi aficionados, offering a diverse palette of flavors and textures.
• Accommodating for Kids: They offer a specific "kids' hibachi menu," indicating an effort to cater to younger diners and make the experience enjoyable for families. This family-friendly approach makes it a suitable venue for all ages.

It is important for prospective diners to be aware of the experiences shared by some customers. Recent reviews indicate potential inconsistencies in food preparation, such as steak doneness not matching requests, and issues with seasoning (e.g., scallops being heavily salted despite requests for no salt). There have also been mentions of mandatory gratuity for larger parties (e.g., 18-20%), which some customers found challenging to justify given their perceived service or food quality issues. While these specific feedback points suggest areas for improvement, they also provide a realistic picture for those considering a visit.

Specific, time-limited promotions or discount offers for Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant are not explicitly detailed in the provided customer reviews. However, as noted from other public information, they do offer a "Lunch Menu" with various specials that provide value for midday dining, which can be an attractive option for locals. They also promote "Ichiban Packages" for birthday or office parties, suggesting structured offerings for group celebrations that might include special pricing or features. The practice of adding a mandatory gratuity (e.g., 18-20%) for larger parties (e.g., 10 or more) is a notable policy for customers to be aware of, as highlighted in the reviews. For the most current information on any seasonal promotions, happy hour specials, or specific deals, potential diners in Pennsylvania are strongly encouraged to contact Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant directly via phone or check their official website or social media channels.

For inquiries, reservations, or to learn more about Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant, you can reach them through the following contact details:

• Address: 1870 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, USA
• Phone: (717) 581-1216

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Lancaster, PA, presents a distinct dining option for locals primarily interested in an interactive and entertaining hibachi experience. For Pennsylvanians seeking a "dinner and a show" atmosphere, especially for group celebrations like birthdays or corporate events, the live cooking entertainment by talented chefs can be a significant draw. The restaurant's broad menu, encompassing a variety of steak, seafood, and chicken options for hibachi, alongside an extensive selection of sushi and sashimi, provides diverse choices for different palates. Its accessible location on Fruitville Pike, a main artery in Lancaster, further adds to its convenience for residents across the county and wider region, making it an easy destination for a meal.

However, it's crucial for local patrons to be informed by the consistent feedback regarding potential inconsistencies in food preparation, such as steak doneness not always matching requests, and occasional issues with seasoning. The policy of a mandatory gratuity for larger parties, regardless of the individual dining experience, is also a notable aspect for groups to consider. While the entertainment value of the hibachi remains a strong point for many, those with very strict culinary preferences or who prioritize meticulous execution and flexible service might need to communicate their needs very clearly upon arrival. Despite these varied customer experiences, Ichiban continues to serve the local community, offering a specific type of Japanese restaurant experience centered on interactive dining and a wide array of Japanese cuisine. It stands as an option for locals looking for an engaging and celebratory meal, particularly suitable for those who value the performance aspect of hibachi dining.

Ichiban Japanese Steak & Seafood Restaurant

1870 Fruitville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, USA