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Ichiban
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Sushi Bars Japanese, Sushi Bars [Edit]
109 2nd Ave NNashville, TN 37201
Neighborhood: Downtown
(615) 244-7900
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Ichiban
Review Highlights
"They have a great beer and sake selection here."
(in 12 reviews)
"Also had the tempura fried ice cream which was also good."
(in 8 reviews)
"...delicate since, even in some of the best places in Chicago."
(in 3 reviews)
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53 reviews in English
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Review from B L.
Nashville, TN
1/8/2012
Sushi in a land locked city such as Nashville can be a tricky proposition, but Ichiban does a nice job of offering a variety of tasty options.
They have a variety of different rolls from which to choose, and you can order any Nigiri as Sashimi, but they don't really have a sashimi menu. The rolls were well done and the fish was probably about as good as you are going to get in Nashville. (I think Ken's is just as good). I stuck with the more traditional rolls - if you like the mega-cream cheese filled- deep fried rolls, this probably isn't your place. We asked about an omakase, but they were a little unhelpful on this. Our waitress told us to just pick a price. Despite us asking several times what price range she would recommend, she could not tell us. I would go back if I were downtown, but I think Ken's is just as good. Cork fee was only $10! -
Review from Helen H.
Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
Ambiance is okay, but bathroom is pretty nasty. Service is fine.
Price value is ridiculous. Maybe because it's Nashville and there aren't a plethora of Japanese restaurants but this place would hands down lose in Chicago.
Udon is $11! For a normal very bland portion. Also only had fishcakes and seaweed- very minimal additions. Tempura shrimp average.
Saving grace is def the sushi rice- very very nice.
We also got the 11 course meal- more like just a bunch of appetizers. Beef rolls in scallion- good but pretty salty. Salad rolls-good. Beef tenders- not flavorful. Sauté mushrooms good. Sushi and sashimi good. -
Review from Cher Y.
Brentwood, TN
1/8/2012
Excellent variety of authentic Japanese food, and the fish is FRESH which is key to good sushi. In terms of variety of Japanese dishes, Ichiban is unmatched in the greater Nashville area.
Friendly service, in a warm casual dining atmosphere that seeks to recreate a cozy Japanese dining atmosphere.
Parking can be difficult given its downtown location so plan ahead of time.
Though not exactly cheap, it is well worth the price in terms of consistent quality served. I look forward to my special date nights here!
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PROS:
FRESH sushi
Largest authentic Japanese menu in the greater Nashville area
Consistent quality
CONS:
parking
a bit on the pricey side -
Review from Devin P.
Nashville, TN
2/8/2012
I usually go here when I'm not walking up the hill to Koto for my quick fix of bait. Had some friends take me out for my birthday and this is where we ended up. Kinda bummed that ALL the bones weren't in the yellowtail roll, just a couple. Maybe next time they'll get it right! ;)
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Review from Mark S.
Keller, TX
11/18/2011
I have no doubts this is as close to real Japanese food as can be found in Nashville in the sense that there is sooooo much more to eat in Japan than just sushi. I seemed to have missed writing a review from my previous visit a year ago. Perhaps that original visit can best be summed up as saying that I ate lunch here on Friday, followed by dinner on both Saturday & Sunday during my visit to Nashville on Halloween weekend.
For the Friday lunch I ordered Katsu Curry Rice along with a side of Horenso no Goma-Ae (steamed spinach with semi-sweet sesame sauce) and chicken liver yakitori. Little did I know when adding those side items to a lunch entree that came with a salad and side dish that they would be serving me a "Bubba-sized" portion of tonkatsu pork cutlet with the curry rice. It was huge, like what would be served for a whole family in Japan. It was also very delicious, both for lunch and then also the rest of it that I had wrapped up to go for dinner later that night. All the lunch portions I received were bigger than expected, so definitely a great value, and all were to my liking too. If I worked in this downtown area you would likely find me here eating lunch almost every day!
Having eaten here previously I already knew about the "osusume-ryoui" specials menu that is only available in Japanese. I mostly ordered from this menu for both dinner nights, but my recollection of everything I ordered is a bit shaky now. Perhaps from drinking too much sake. Several of the items that stick out are
Geso Karaage; whole squid tentacles fried in a very light tempura batter. These are highly recommended as long as you are not squeamish about eating 6" long tentacled squid legs. These are waaaay better than fried calamari IMO.; much better tasting and less batter.
Tai Sakamushi - snapper head and collar steamed in sake. Fantastic tender snapper meat that is well worth picking and sucking out from all the head bones and plates. When eaten properly all you have left at the end is a pile of loose, stripped bones. Don't forget to eat the best part, the eyeball!
Tororro Natto - slimy tororro (grated mountain yam) and sticky natto (fermented soybeans) together in the same dish. This hardcore Japanese health food that even even many Japanese people may not care for. Only recommended for the most adventurous international cuisine junkies, but I love this dish. -
Review from Audra S.
San Francisco, CA
The many Japanese business men I saw dining at Ichiban made it apparent that it is an authentic sushi bar. The fish was super fresh and they had a nice selection of specialty rolls, like the Dixieland and the Nashville. My favorite was the spicy tuna because it was simple and unlike most of it's more American counterparts whose spicy tuna is never spicy, Ichiban's had a nice kick and cucumber gave it a little crunch. They have good green tea, seaweed salad and ginger dressing. The service was good and the wait not long.
They did not however, as another Yelper had mentioned in a review, have hot towels and for the price, they were chinsey with the edamame. These two little complaints are the only reason I gave Ichiban four stars instead of five. -
Review from Jerome O.
Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2011
Been there twice, loved it twice! Nice service & very good food - authentic Japanese, you can even find Natto there... :-)
I really liked the the broiled squid & scallop sashimi... Among many other things! -
Review from Eliza R.
8/23/2011 ROTD 1/3/2012
I am hesitant to give Ichiban 5 stars because it's not the BEST sushi I've ever had; however, it's likely one of the best sushi places in Nashville that I've been to so far. The restaurant is tucked downtown in an unassuming location between honky tonk bars and tacky souvenir shops. The inside is cozy, quiet and dimly lit, and our server was pleasant enough.
I ordered salmon and shrimp nigiri (my standbys), as well as a spicy tuna roll and seaweed salad. The seaweed salad was bright green, fresh and tasty, and the tuna roll had the perfect amount of kick to it. My test for how a sushi restaurant really is, is the quality of the salmon nigiri - if that's good, the rest seems to follow. It didn't disappoint here! The salmon was buttery, fatty, melt-in-your-mouth smooth! I could have ordered an entire plate of it. I definitely want to go back to Ichiban and try more of their rolls! -
Review from Robert S.
7/15/2011 2 photos
I had high expectations when I arrived downtown to eat here. After all, you Yelpers have made this the highest-rated sushi bar in Nashville! The interior was dim, the mood peaceful, and polite chit chat could be heard over the background muzak.
What about the food, you ask? The food was good in a way that reminded me of places other than Nashville. For sushi, that is a good thing. The service was polite and non-intrusive. I did not eat at the sushi bar but I will make it a point to eat at the bar the next time I am here. -
Review from Angelina T.
Houston, TX
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of the few places you can order toro in Nashville, but it was a little... dare I say... rough. We ordered Sashimi and it was not the smooth, marbled texture that you would expect or the melt in your mouth flavor I was craving. Such a disappointment.
Everything else was average -- edamame, sushi rolls, service. They forgot one item that we ordered (shrimp tempura), but we cancelled it and left.
With the Nashville curve for sushi restaurants (because there are some dogs) this comes out to a 3. But if you're "just visiting", don't bother. -
Review from Travis A.
3/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I find it interesting that Ichiban is listed in most Airline's in-flight magazines as one of the best sushi bars in the country. I definitely think of it as one of Nashville's best.
I've been coming here for as long as I've lived in Nashville and I have never had a bad experience. The food has been consistent and the service has been good.
They have the best Spider roll that I've ever eaten anywhere, including both coasts. The Sushi pizza is one of my favorite sushi creations, ever. It takes a #2 next to the Kerry Roll at Brothers Sushi in Woodland Hills, CA. Go there if you're in town. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I'm glad this place is still going strong... just wish I had better luck parking downtown. Aside from that, the only real criticism I have is that they need to redo their menus. They can be confusing for those not used to them... in fact I don't think they've changed in 20 years. -
Review from Becky M.
Chicago, IL
3/11/2011
This was my first real sushi experience. I knew it would be great when we walked in and saw the first room filled with Japanese people-- always a good sign.
I believe we dined here about a year ago. Everything was pretty reasonably priced and the food was great.
The miso soup was some of the best I've ever had, but what stands out most in retrospect is the surf clam.
It was super tender and delightfully sweet. I had never even heard of it before, but when I had it, I knew I'd be hooked. I haven't had a piece quite so delicate since, even in some of the best places in Chicago. After a couple of not so great experiences with it here, I've stopped ordering it,... until I go back to Ichiban at least.
We sat at the sushi bar and I remember all of the sushi chefs being extremely friendly. They were joking with the drunk Nashville tourists and answering any questions asked. They seemed to genuinely enjoy both what they were doing and the company of anyone who sat at the bar.
I hope to go back some time when we're in town, but we usually don't have much time.Listed in: Japanese/ Sushi
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Review from Julie H.
Alexandria, MN
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food and service!
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Review from Teresa H.
Nashville, TN
10/17/2011
Best Japanese Restaurant in Nashville HANDS DOWN!!!
I have tried a fairly wide range of japanese restaurants - all over the world really, and Ichiban is the most legit one that I am lucky enough to discover in the Ville of Nash! Some may say, "oh this and that is alright, nothing special." I would say, unlike all the mediocre "pure sushi bars" that you often found in Nashville, OVER ALL, Ichiban offers the most variety of Japanese food in great quality.
Like I said, they have a wide variety of Japs food. Don't just stick to those sushi and rolls....try those uncooked seafood, the sashimi, the house special, the nabemono...! Well if you find yourself still feeling some sushi, their nigiri is fresh and well-made, and their rolls have some novelty but never try too hard. You won't be disappointed! Some warm sake accompanies well with whatever you pick, although be wary that the sake is light but tends to catch you off guard and hit you hard after a while.
The environment is warm and cozy. You can tell that's it's a Japanese restaurant the moment you walk in. It is not trendy. The decor shows its age, but I just love how traditional it feels. As cheesy as it sounds, the place is authentic! Food is served by Japanese people (not Koreans or Chinese!). And you will find Japanese people here eating pretty often.
On a side note though...because it's downtown and on SECOND AVENUE, parking is a pain in the arse. Lots near by are ridiculously expensive, and street parking is almost impossible. I often park in a garage a block or two away and walk over. Still expect some extra parking expense though! -
Review from Will m.
Updated - 3/24/2011
This review is for the sushi. You are in Tennessee, a landlocked state, so your fish is going to be frozen. Seriously, the Sushi is really good, the best I've had, but I haven't tried Virago. The salmon was real high quality fish with nice veins of fat. A lot of reviews for non-sushi items were subpar, so I won't even waste my money.
So, for non sushi items, I'd probably check out the Cool Springs area for Japanese restaurants like Shoguns, because Nissan HQ is there. There's also AYA sushi in M'boro. Sonobana is also decent off white bridge rd.Listed in: Asian cuisine
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/27/2011
Ichiban's ambiance, and their sushi is real good. DT locale is good for young professionals during… Read more »
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Review from Erin J.
10/13/2010
Any time we go downtown for a concert, or to entertain out-of-towners on 2nd/Lower Broad, we stop by Ichiban. We joke that it feels like a bento-box inside - lots of little compartments on the ceiling, and the booths are sort of like little compartments or cubbies.
The sushi is always good; nothing too creative but it's all solid. BEST veggie tempura in town. We hit up the early bird special sometimes, can't remember the times but I believe I remember a shrimp tempura dish. We always get great service here too!Listed in: Best Sushi in and around…
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Review from Robert V.
Lexington, KY
12/5/2011
I eat here at least once a week and have to admit the sushi is the best I've found in Nashville. The sushi and service is great!
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Review from Zeb M.
8/22/2011
We had Ichiban for an early dinner yesterday and it was great! Our server was nice and very attentive (I don't like my glass to be empty), and you can taste how fresh the rolls are! Parking can be a hassle downtown, but I would definitely come back again!
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Review from Bridget B.
Aspen, CO
9/16/2011
Stopped here for dinner before a concert at the Ryman and wow! The nasu miso (fried eggplant with miso) and the agedashi tofu were both well prepared appetizers with the nasu being very close to what I've had in Asia. The sushi was fresh and the service in the dining room was attentive without being overbearing.
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Review from janet s.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Huge selection of hot and cold appetizers, e.g string beans in miso, eggplant in terriyaki or miso, duck with lemon and sake broth (yum) and this is what I like best here. The sashimi is A-OK but the rolls barely passable for me but there is something for everyone on the menu here. A range of cocktails including the purple haze, sake and chambord hot. Two for 1 sake happy hour every night. They have a couple of tatami rooms and we have had our annual street neighbor gathering for 5 years running here and they have taken care of us nicely.
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Review from Heather H.
Indianapolis, IN
This was a nice change from the heavy food generally available in the downtown area. We had several different vegetarian rolls, which were all good, and also got the agedashi tofu. The tofu was good, but the portion was really small for the price. We got three squares of fried tofu, which really wasn't much. The waitress was very helpful in letting us know what items had bonito or fish sauce in them.
Listed in: Asian Eats
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Review from Yoie L.
9/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
I went with my boyfriend while we were vacationing in Nashville. I am pretty picky when it comes to sushi.
We got different types of sushi. They were ok, not super fresh, but I didn't get a stomach ache afterward.
Like other yelpers said, the waitress seriously looks like she was a drug addict back in the days.
I wouldn't want to go back if we were to visit Nashville again...but we might have to if the bf decides to go to school there in a couple of years. yikes. -
Review from Mike M.
7/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
very good service. Excellent sushi. Also had the tempura fried ice cream which was also good. Authentic as it gets. More Japanese people here than any other nationality, so proof enough for me. If you like sushi and authentic Japanese it is a must visit in Nashville.
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Review from Stuart W.
3/27/2011
A friend took me to a Predators game the other day (we won!) and he suggested we go here for dinner. A lover of good sushi, I had never gone to this place as I assumed a Sushi bar in the heart of Nashville' tourist Mecca would be uninspiring, unauthentic and unappealing. I was un-right.
The decor of the place is fairly standard, but the food was truly delicious. We didnt have a ton of time before the game, so we limited our orders to just sushi. Beyond the typical rolls, I was happily impressed to see they had some of the more 'Japanese' items I really enjoy (like Natto - a fermeted soybean which I promise is better than it sounds). Even the typical fare, like the spicy tuna roll was both exceptionally tasty and very well made (a good chef does not need to squeeze the heck out of the roll to get it to stick, which results in a less starchy feel and taste.)
Having mistakenly avoided this place for the past 6 years, I plan to be back soon. -
Review from Colette R.
Nashville, TN
2/16/2011
Great food. I had heard mixed reviews about Ichiban, but ventured out to try it a few weeks ago and loved it. Had sushi and a pork dish. Small portions but very delicatable. Went there last night for a second time. Amazing because I have lived on 2nd Avenue for two years how and haven't eaten out until the past couple of months down here.
Oh, and on their salad with the ginger dressing they add kernels of corn. Funny and different.
Intimate atmosphere. -
Review from Ally A.
*side note* out of town friends are AWESOME! they come to town and force you to get of your couch and go on an adventure! i wish people came to see me every few weeks so that i had an excuse to drive to nashville and explore.
now, onto the restaurant: have you ever heard of hot yoga, where you go and stretch and strain and hold downward dog FOREVER in like 130 degree heat? yeah, i experienced hot sushi dining at this place. there was no air conditioner on with the door to the street open. i felt like i was sweating off all the calories i was consuming. AND YET, this place still got 5 stars. what does that tell you?
the tempura udon was srsly the BEST udon i've ever had in my life. slurping up noodles, crunching on massive prawns and adding *just the right amount* of spice was a magical experience...delicioso!
we split a few surprise rolls we selected without even knowing what they were: the norway (cream cheese and salmon goodness), the dixieland (mmmmmmmmmm yummy...i don't even know what was in it, i just know it was good!). and of course, we had to try the sushi pizza. yummy yummy in my tummy...crispy rice, hints of spicy mayo, slightly scorched avocado with some crab. oh yeah, it was rockstar!
there was an entire table of japanese businessmen seated next to us, laughing, downing sake and beer and talking loudly in japanese...it totally added to my experience.
i suggest you get your butt down to this place. just make sure you're hydrated!Listed in: fort campbell adventures
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Review from Robin W.
Lynnville, TN
1/30/2011
This was my second time here, and I liked it just as much as the first. I haven't tried anything but the sushi, but I'll venture to say theirs is the best in town. It's a small but comfortable place, with a casual atmosphere. Our service was good, and the sushi was fresh.
We ordered the spider roll, tuna roll, and the sashimi combo. If you're going to eat a half of pound of raw fish, this is the place to do it! -
Review from Peter K.
8/12/2009
The setting is intimate and the Japanese cuisine is pretty authentic.
While the sushi here is really good (some of the best in the city) I can't say that this place is as good as it gets as of late.
It seems like the last couple times the quality of the rolls has been lacking. The quality of the fish is still there, but the execution just isn't there anymore.
The only other downside is that it's downtown.
Over all its worth trying, very pleasant atmosphere and friendly staff, and I probably would have rated it 5 stars, except I just feel that the quality has slipped slightly. -
Review from Greg T.
12/1/2008
one of the best Japanese restaurants in Nashville. Solid sushi, great atmosphere, 2 for 1 sake happy hr 5-7. I was really surprised to see Tonkatsu ramen on the menu...so nice to have in Nashville!
beware of the chicken teriyaki...it isn't traditional japanese style...more americanized execution.
definitely worth a visit. -
Review from Ian R.
Updated - 12/5/2010
Another downgrade after another lackluster dinner. The food is fine, but very inconsistent. The service is just not up to par. It was 15 minutes before anyone took my drink order, the waitstaff disappeared for extended periods of time, people who ordered at the same time got their food 30 minutes apart, it took 25 minutes to get our checks when we were ready to leave, and there were visible scowls of disapproval when we tried to get attention. There was also apparently no manager or hostess because I saw several people walk in and wait a long time before being acknowledged, much less seated. Just a failure on all fronts.
I also hate it when a business is dishonest.. We had a large group of 12 people and requested to sit in the back tatami room because we expected to be loud and pretty boisterous. We were first told that they didn't take reservations on weekends and then that someone else had reserved the room which is completely contradictory. We were placed in the dead center of the restaurant very close to all the other tables. Guess what, we were loud, boisterous and slightly vulgar (my fault). If you were there on a romantic dinner then I would like to apologize for our antics, but we were not given a choice. The supposedly reserved tatami room was completely empty for the entire time we were there. Completely fabricated excuse for reasons that make no sense. I would have complained to the manager or hostess, but there was no one to be found when we were leaving and we had already gone 45 minutes past the time we had planned to leave so I was not in the mood to hang around.
Ichiban is one of those places that is probably always guaranteed to have business just because of their location. They will not however be getting any more of my business.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/3/2009
The quality of the food has been a little uneven over my past couple of trips. I am not sure if… Read more »
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Review from Ryan D.
Woodstock, GA
12/17/2009
Geeeeewwwwrose! This place was not so great and I'm not sure how they ended up with such good reviews. The interior is dark and dingy and resembles the inside of a trailer Buffalo Bill would live in. I'm pretty sure my waitress was addicted to cough syrup. Her ability to function in public was questionable. The menu is rather extensive and offers some very cool selecitons, but we went with a large platter of sushi and a bowl of the ramen noodles.
The noodles were so-so. I ended up chewing on some nasty squid like thing in the bowl that even the waitress couldnt tell me what it was (probably because she couldn't drink or smoke it) and made a sour face when I shower her what I was talking about.
The portions of sushi are large, but my ginger was old, and white. I've had much better sushi and I knew better than to try sushi in Tennessee, but the reviews convinced me otherwise. I will not make that mistake again. $97.00 for dinner and all I got was a ton of mediocre sushi ans a chewy squid in a bowl of noodles. If the beers weren't cold this place would receive a 1star, so thank god for modern refrigeration technology. -
Review from Patrick R.
Nashville, TN
5/5/2008
I love Ichiban. Apparently, Ichiban means "number one," and I think the owners named their little restaurant appropriately. It is, without a doubt, one of (if not the) most authentic sushi spots in Nashville. The restaurant itself is quaint and beautifully decorated, and I personally like dining upstairs.
Unlike Ru San's, Ichiban does not strive to be a hip, modern sushi bar. They merely make high-quality Japanese cuisine and serve it in a traditional manner (without blasting techno or screaming at their customers). Though my personal favorite sushi restaurant is Sam's (because of the sheer enormity of portions and cheapness of his sushi), Ichiban is "number one" as far as experience goes. They may be a bit pricier than Sam's, but the staff is very sweet and attentive, and it's a pleasant spot to have dinner with a few friends.
Ichiban also offers several very tasty Japanese beers. The restaurant is on Second, meaning it might be crowded and you might have to fight your way through loads of tourists, but I say it's worth it. Best sushi experience Nashville has to offer. -
Review from Hwa P.
Washington, DC
8/30/2010
I was a little dubious of ordering sushi in a landlocked state -- particularly in a state known better for it's fried foods and barbeque -- but fortunately my fears were for naught. The food and service is great.
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Review from Sharon N.
Nashville, TN
5/10/2008
Ichiban is the place I go to sit down for sushi downtown, if you want something fast to go, you can go to Sam's but the dining experience at Ichiban is much better. They have cozy booths, seating at the sushi bar or tables further in the back. They are always accommodating and the staff is very kind. It is a quiet local place. Every time I have visited, even if the restaurant is full it is still not too noisy. They fortunately do not play any muzak or anything like that. The place is also pretty casual not really fine dining or anything but a relaxed atmosphere with good food.
The sushi rolls are made with care so the presentation is always very appetizing and the tastes meets expectations. The fish is fresh and delicious. They have a great beer and sake selection here. So you can imbibe the traditional drink along with your sushi rolls. -
Review from Anne P.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/20/2008 1 photo
In my opinion, the perfect chirashi would contain the following ingredients:
*multiple slices of sake, hamachi, saba, hotate, maguro, unagi, amaebi, tamago, white tuna
*ikura (salmon roe)
*slices of sweeten braised shiitake mushroom
*pickled radish or daikon
*seaweed salad (optional)
This restaurant's chirashi had the following pros and cons, relative to my notion of the perfect chirashi:
Pros: Terrific variety. Surprisingly fresh. Has most of the desired elements.
Cons: Missing unagi, hotate, marinated shiitakes, seaweed salad -
Review from Alanya D.
Nashville, TN
9/30/2010
My husband and I had taken our baby downtown to wander one day, and went here for dinner. Unfortunately she had a meltdown, so my husband ended up spending the whole meal outside with her. The staff were great - gave me a bowl of hot water to heat up a bottle, and they were very understanding every time he'd pop in to see if she could handle being inside.
The food was excellent. Generous portions of fresh fish, very good rice. The service was a little abrupt, but it was also fairly full, so I'll have to go back to see if it was normal or not. The variety was also pretty good, but I'm not sure that it's the sort of place I'll be going back to over and over, particularly since the location pretty much ensures that you'll have to pay for parking. -
Review from Muna M.
Nashville, TN
2/23/2010
The place gets 3 stars only for the Sushi... I thought the Sushi was pretty good... But the Teriyaki Beef & Chicken were HORRIBLE!!! I've had better Teriyaki chicken at the Food Court in the Malls! We ordered the combination platter and din't like the soup (tasted like soapy water) or anything else but the Sushi...
Also wasn't too pleased with the service... The waitress wasn't very helpful and din't seem to care much about our requests! I think the place is way too expensive for the kind of food they serve!! Don't think i will be back here again.. -
Review from Ryan B.
9/13/2010
As for sushi and Japanese dishes, this place does it right. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is fresh and yummy. I had shrimp tempura udon which was served too hot to eat at first. Once it cooled, it was great. Other cities have better downtown Japanese restaurants, but for Nashville, this place won my approval.
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Review from Chris W.
Nashville, TN
10/7/2008
On a cold winter afternoon, it's hard to beat a hot bowl of soba at Ichiban. It's one of the cozier little restaurants in downtown. Dishes are reasonably priced and competently prepared. Often crowded, but never full, the atmosphere lends itself to a jovial, comfortable experience. The staff is friendly and attentive -- most of the same people have been working there for years.
The building is not big, so this is not a place you want to bring a large party. Bring a date or some good friends, grab a booth and a bottle of sake, and relax. -
Review from lindy b.
Hermitage, TN
7/13/2011
Went to Ichiban tonight around 7. First off, the place smelled inside. It smelled like mildew or something. Wondered if maybe it has always smelled like that since the flood last year....? Anywho, we were seated immediately but sat for at least 10 min before anyone came to take our drink order. I will say, our food came out quickly, though. I ordered a Nashville Roll and a Cucumber Roll. The cucumber roll was good and reasonably sized. The Nashville roll was so huge each piece had to be eaten in 2 bites. I hate that! Anyone who eats sushi rolls knows it's useless to bite a roll in half because then the whole thing just falls apart. I also didn't like the mayonnaise in it. I knew mayo came in it, but I assumed it would be spicy or something. This just tasted like straight up from a jar of Hellman's and it kind of ruined the rest of the yummy stuff in the roll. The Miso soup was good. Overall, this is a place I would never suggest, but if someone else was dying to go, I guess I would. Maybe.
