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Aji Ichiban
Category: Food Specialty Food Candy Stores Candy Stores [Edit]
2117 S China Pl(between Princeton Ave & Wells St)
Chicago, IL 60616
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(312) 328-9998
- Nearest Transit:
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Cermak-chinatown (Red Line)
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Aji Ichiban
Review Highlights
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"Try the glazed sesame dried fish." In 6 reviews -
"They're really nice here and there's samples out." In 3 reviews -
"The sour gummy candies are a must try." In 6 reviews
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30 reviews in English
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Review from John H.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice little candy shop in Chinatown. I like how they have samples out so you can "try before you buy".... especially since I can barely read/translate some of the packaging. It's not just candy I saw in there, but snacks as well... things like dried squid, wasabi peas, and dried fruit can be found here as well.
Definitely unique feel to the store and the staff are really nice about letting you wander through. I'm always a fan whenever you can surprise yourself and find something new to try. -
Review from Amaliya L.
Chicago, IL
1/9/2011
My son loves coming to this store to check out their candy. It is a bit pricey, but they offer many varieties that you can't find elsewhere. I was a little shocked when he only chose one piece.
As for me. I grew up on dried cuttlefish, dried plums, dried kumquats, lemon peel and fresh fruit jerky. I am the one that gets us into trouble here. I am happily chewing on cuttle fish as I write this. -
Review from Y M.
Chicago, IL
6/4/2008
Who doesn't love going to a candy shop? You walk in and there are bins of candy everywhere, the majority of it is Asian candy. Adults turn into kids in this store, curiously looking at all the different varieties of colorfully wrapped treats.
I love Pocky, and they have several flavors of it here. I had to smile when I saw the strawberry Hello Kitty pocky. They also have dried fruit, such as pineapple and mango; dried fish snacks (I like the sweet and spicy squid); and even Chupa Chup lollipops and Pop Rocks. Not really into sweets? They have savory items here, as well, such as crunchy wasabi peas.
I like to stop by this shop after a meal in Chinatown. There's nothing like going home with a bag of goodies and sweets!Listed in: Crazian for Asian
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Review from Ron C.
Chicago, IL
4/2/2008
Aji Ichiban along with Saint's Alps are super awesome Hong Kong imports. Aji Ichiban is basically an Asian snacks buffet galore, with plenty of candy, savory snacks such as dried squid as well as other sweets such as preserved prunes and mango. You can mix and match everything and the prices are based on how much you put in your bag. If you've never eaten these things before, I would highly suggest you try them (there are free samples for almost everything except the packages candy). You will be pleasantly surprised despite the alien appearance, and you'll definitely be hooked forever.
I really hope that as the Asian population in Chicago grows, more and more restaurant and store imports from all around Asia will make it to Chicago. It'll be so much more colorful and fun.Listed in: Chinatown Favs
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Review from Rhonda G.
7/27/2009
Try before you buy: words to live by. Ichiban has samplings of tons of stuff sitting out for you to try and I highly recommend doing so.What sounds good or looks appealing may be the exact opposite, as was the case with multiple items. Interesting to see the various Chinese sweet and savory treats and not just the usual candy aisle offerings. The pocky was a bit more expensive than most other places but I did see a fancy pocky with nuts!
Ps. the gummy candies are great! and I personally think the apple ones have a hint of whiskey (no one agrees with me).Listed in: Chinatown
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Review from Izzy N.
3/6/2011
You can trust this review. I'm huge on candy. I have a candy drawer in my room. Even one at my parent's house when I lived there. I tried giving up candy for Lent once during college. That just wasn't realistic cuz I ended up giving in to my sweet tooth a couple days in. I couldn't be strong for Jesus. *weeps* Damn you candy!! So I know my candy and this shop is alright for a couple pieces. I said a couple. This place sells asian snacks and that includes candy, dried fruit, dried fish, squid and shrimp, packaged cookies and cracker mixes. You can just fill up your bag with as much as you want. The downside is that it's a total rip off. You can find everything here for way cheaper elsewhere. They even sold snack size skittles for 50 cents apiece and other american candy for more than what you'd usually pay for. You can get the calbee shrimp chips elsewhere for atleast a dollar cheaper. I only come here once in awhile if I want a piece or two of a certain candy to snack on. I loove the asian gummies- it's a lot tastier than american gummy candy. My favorite would be the pineapple and the lychee gummies. Nearly 8 dollars for a pound? Fuck that shit.. I can get a bag of it for 2 dollars at the most elsewhere.
They're really nice here and there's samples out. It just turns me off that tourists or those new to asian snacks attack these samples like they haven't eaten in days. I like how they tape up your bag neatly so your candies don't fall out. It's best to pay with cash but if you must- it's a ten dollar minimum if you want to pay with a card. If you know someone who deserves to be robbed of their money- send them here. Like that annoying co-worker with the annoying voice? Or the lazy one that takes long lunch breaks and doesn't do any real work spending their entire morning planning on where to lunch at and takes credit for your ideas during presentations? What a bitch. Yeah, send those two. -
Review from An P.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2010
YAY! A candy store in Chinatown, AMAZING!
After the Dim Sum Feeding Frenzy, we walked around the plaza to go to the park and found ourselves in the middle of a candy store! For $7.50-$11.00/lb for candy, we could help ourselves to our heart's content! Mini Reese Peanut Butter Cups, M&M's, Gummy Bears were all for the taking!
Free samples, deliciousness and snacky snacks were well organized in big bins and there were cute little basket to carry around. After making my rounds, I felt like I was trick or treating with a true cornucopia of Corn Nuts, Calbee Shrimp Chips, six packs of fusen gum, 2 mini M&M bags, Skittles, golden chocolate coins, and even some Mentos!
Aji Ichiban is not without its knocks, all in all I spent $20 at the candy store! Now I am eating my Corn Nuts and am taken aback by how stale they are. Looking at the date stamp it says 12/06/09. DOH :(( -
Review from Meagan L.
Chicago, IL
2/5/2011
I love their selection! I love going in and just looking at what they have to offer. My most recent grab was fruity daifuku. So delicious! Can't wait to go back.
Some of their individually wrapped candy does seem a bit over priced at $11.00 per lb., but when you think about it, most of it is really light weight so you actually do get a lot for what you're paying. -
Review from Charlotte O.
Chicago, IL
10/25/2008
This is a really neat candy shop that carries just about any kind of Asian snacks/sweets that you may be looking for.
They have a huge selection that changes every so often and have samples out for most of the dried fruit/seafood and some of the candy. They don't look at you weird for tasting everything you see either.
They have few really awesome things that you can't find anywhere else. "White Rabbit" milk candy is really really good, so is the soda candy. Not many other places in the city carry it either so I don' t mind the sorta high prices. The jelly candies are also pretty tasty, Not my fave though. I also really like the "Preserved Plum" most people I know have a different opinion of it but I have odd taste buds.
Check it out, Even worth a special trip to China Town just to visit here.Listed in: China Town, Sweets!
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Review from S. M.
Naperville, IL
Updated - 8/23/2010
Aji Ichiban, what happened? I know it's been a while since I've visited you, but you've really let yourself go.
For one thing, most of the helpful tags are now gone and just replaced with stickers that tell price per half pound. And most of these items per *half pound* cost in the range of $9 to $10. This is for things that now you can usually find packaged at Super H Mart or Mitsuwa. The unusualness of their stock seems to have slipped.
The two girls working there on the occasion I was in were not helping patrons, just chatting amongst themselves behind the counter. Considering the fact that there are signs everywhere saying things like, "Use the scoop! If you use your hand, you will have to buy entire bin!", they might have wanted to watch people a little more closely (there were a number of patrons in the place while we were there), but I guess it's management who's concerned about hands in the dried fish bin, not the 16-year-old clerks, ultimately.
Overall, Aji Ichiban, I'm disillusioned. The thrill is gone. I'll stick with the Asian grocery stores from now on for my sugary goodness.Listed in: Just Desserts...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/15/2008
I used to go to an Aji Ichiban when I lived in Dallas and was delighted to find one in Chicago, in… Read more »
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Review from Robyn T.
3/9/2009
I have no idea what half the candy is in here, but how can you resist getting a bag and taste testing? Most of the things you can kind of guess what they are - a wide variety of gummy candies have pictures of the fruit they taste like on the packaging. Adorable cartoon characters and bright colors festoon the packaging. You immediately feel happier upon entering the store!
The staff was not particularly helpful and they chatted amongst themselves, but that was fine by me because I just wanted to stare in amazement in some of the products.
Definitely worth a visit even if you only leave with an 85 cent gummy hot dog. -
Review from Carly L.
Chicago, IL
8/24/2011
Somehow I always end up spending $15 whenever I come here. Seems like a lot to spend for some candy, but the green tea candy is delicious and I haven't found it anywhere else. Besides, it's nice to have a bargaining tool to use when I want to get my daughter to eat dinner at Lao Sze Chuan.
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Review from Michelle C.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2008
I am a big fan of the Aji Ichiban store. There are a great deal of candies there that really bring me back. I love the fruit gummies and anything with red bean paste in it.
The store is clean and well kept. It is really easy to spend quite a bit of money here because the candy is fairly expensive. But, there are things that you can't really find anywhere else, so the premium is rather justified. -
Review from Dianne S.
9/4/2009
No, I"m not Chinese...but I'll eat their candy! I love their soda candy that fizz in your mouth with a little grape flavor! Coming in here makes me feel like a little kid again! If you want help, you're definitely gonna have to ask for it...don't forget...you'r e in Chinatown...a place not known for great customer service. But don't let that get in the way of your sugar hight!
*There is a $10 min. purchase to use your credit card, so be sure to bring some cash. -
Review from Jacob Y.
10/19/2009
Like my pastries, being Chinese, I need my asian snacks and candy just as much as I need my non asian kinds. Yes, I am a lover not a hater!
Aside from all kinds of Japanese and Chinese soft and hard candies, I also LOVE dried and preserved fruits. I grew up eating preserved plums...let me warn you...they can get VERY sour...but they are ooooooh sooooo delicious! They also sell watermelon seeds (yes, just like sunflower seeds) and dried squid (which sounds gross...but is AWESOME!).
For first timers...no this is not your regular candy shop...and it doesn't smell like one either.
Oh, and everything is sold by either the piece or weight. I believe there is a minimum for credit card purchases as well... -
Review from Liza P.
2/7/2010
Wow, I love the candy here! So yummy! We stopped here while we were bumming around Chinatown, and I decided to get my kids some candy. First of all, there were 4 people working in this tiny store, and at least 2 of them were closely following us at all times. I'm not sure what it is about me that makes me look like a thief, but I'm pretty sure that the mother was telling her 3 child employees to make sure I didn't give myself a five finger discount. That was unsettling, to say the least.
I got a few tiny bags full of candy, and some other random packages, and somehow managed to spend $60!!! Wow! I was a bit shocked, but only a bit. Hopefully the taste will make the $$ spent worth it. So far, I have developed a grape gummy addiction, so I'm sure I will be back here to get my fix. -
Review from Greta P.
Little Chute, WI
6/3/2009
So many fun, funky dried sweets and fish jerky options. Truth is, I always mean to buy some of the candies... but my little plastic basket fills with the dried stuff first. I could go broke here.
The girls aren't overly helpful, but it isn't as if I need any help. It could very well be my busy vibe keeping them at a distance. -
Review from Kay J.
Schererville, IN
12/28/2009
Weird and wacky - and I can't resist the candy that looks like real food like eggs, french fries and hamburgers. The staff is nice enough if you ask for help.
I think they carry more Korean and Japanese stuff.
If you have never been, Aji Ichiban is worth a tourist visit. -
Review from Lindley E.
Chicago, IL
3/11/2008
Yes, there is candy. Yes, there are fruity snacks. But the true prize here is the vast variety of candied dried fish....mmmmm....dried fish. Try the glazed sesame dried fish...you'll buy a whole sackful and be munching for days.
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Review from Yanyao N.
4/29/2009 1 Check-in Here
Another chain that was all over Hong Kong that I never frequented until I moved here. This place is an Asian fat kids DREAM! Not only do they have all these packaged snacks from Asia (how many different ways can you coat a pretzel stick? Chocolate, nuts, fruity flavors, pizza... the list in endless) but then you also have the bulk candy. The sour gummy candies are a must try! The sour strawberry "tape" is amazing! As are the sour lychee and sour mango gummies. To top it all off, they have a bunch of treats from my teenage years - preserved plums, dried orange peel, dried cuttlefish, squid strips, Chinese-style jerky... mmm! I always walk out of here with over 50 dollars worth of stuff. The staff are pretty helpful and will tell you what certain items are (I don't think all of the bulk items in the boxes are named). Bonus points for having samples! Domo arigato Aji Ichiban!
Listed in: Aah, Motherland!
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Review from Char Y.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
I appreciate the wide variety of candies they carry here from Asia, but it is just too expensive. I actually went in and just bought 3 pieces and it was 75 cents. Seriously? When I saw the same candy in big bags and the May Flower Supermarket next door? However, I do like the fact that I can just buy 1 piece to try, instead of being stuck with a whole bag.
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Review from A.S. V.
Chicago, IL
12/30/2005 2 photos
If you like Asian candies, this specialty store is a must. It has it all, from Japanese pocki sticks to dried fruits and ginger. Bins everywhere, and samples! Don't ruin your dinner, kiddies.
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Review from Jenny z.
Logan Square, Chicago, IL
Updated - 7/1/2008
Took the 13 year old sister in law here and, needless to say, she LOVED it. I don't think I've ever seen such a happy and sugared up kid in my life. Hopefully, her parents don't find out that we let her eat about 5 lbs of mysterious Chinese candy while she was here.
Listed in: We have to entertain a 13 year…, China Town? Yes Please.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/9/2008
Not a big candy eater, but this place is irresistible! C'mon, they still carry Pop Rocks, what's not… Read more »
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Review from Jay K.
Spokane, WA
12/25/2005
Bought 2 stalks of bamboo for decoration. Service was very nice and informative regarding the care of the bamboo.
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Review from Michelle L.
Honolulu, HI
3/23/2009
i wish we still had one in hawaii
this one was alright. they didn't have a huge variety of candies like they do in hong kong but it was all g. i found my favorite candy of all time so i'm happy. be careful not to go too crazy because it will add up.
it was a nostalgic moment to be back to this store. -
Review from Liz K.
11/19/2009
This place is pretty good and decently priced, but be careful you check the prices that are listed.
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Review from jason t.
Chicago, IL
8/23/2006
asian candies to make yer head spin. i got the dried lemon ginger and the candy cigarettes.
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Review from Jennifer N.
Chicago, IL
8/14/2006
nice service and clean and stocked with hard to find Asian candies, this place gets a high candy store rating from me. they also have a nice selection of tea in back. part of the store sells crystal jewelry too -the selection is small but pretty.
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Review from Amy O.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2009
This is a good candy store but I feel the prices of the candy are better in other Chinatown shops that sell candy. I love the variety of the candy though. It's not somewhere I would go frequently but somewhere I would go to just try or when just craving for candy and don't want to go somewhere else. Maybe it's my opinion but great selection just kind of pricey compared to other stores.
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Review from Stephanie M.
Chicago, IL
12/24/2005
"What is an asian candy store like,", you ask? Like Aji no Ichiban. It's an international franchise. The best part is the samples! Everything is laid out in bins where you can pick and choose and fill up plastic bags with whatever you like. The selection goes from very traditional chinese dried fruits to mochi and very cute japanese candies.
