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Ichiza
Category: Restaurants Japanese Japanese [Edit]
4355 Spring Mountain RdLas Vegas, NV 89102
Neighborhood: Chinatown
(702) 367-3151
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 3 pm - 4 am
Sun 3 pm - 3 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
660 reviews for Ichiza
Review Highlights
"Another standout was the [Yellowtail tar tar."
(in 31 reviews)
"Red Snapper Carpaccio - the lemon garnish is perfect."
(in 30 reviews)
"I concur the beef tongue is amazing and very tender."
(in 102 reviews)
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660 reviews in English
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Review from Roxanne S.
Henderson, NV
1/5/2012 8 Check-ins Here
So far Ichiza is by far my favorite izakaya style restaurant. I don't have to be in Japan to experience authentic hardcore Japanese food.
My favorite is the ika yaki and, honey toast with ice cream. Yummy!! -
Review from Nancy S.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
This is one of those places where the food looks better than it taste. It doesn't taste horrible, but definitely not as good as it looks.
My favorites were the miso butterfish, kimchi fried rice and tuna sashimi salad. It's a great place for you to try many different (small) appetizers at an efficient cost. The vibe feels very Japanese, as if you really are in Japan, which was something I liked.
It's a fun experience, but I didn't feel like it hit the spot when I walked out the door. Probably won't come back to try different items, just my favorites. -
Review from Chad S.
Las Vegas, NV
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Some friends visiting suggested checking out Ichiza for some sushi. They checked out menu before hand make sure had stuff for five year old girl. It was the first time for me and all of us. I knew going in that everything was small portion a la carte style. Honestly not use too that style but always good too mix things up in life. Lol!
They have just about everything you can imagine on the menu. Not even including the menu items that posted all around the walls even above the sushi bar. So little bit overload the first time looking at the menu then checking out the wall (some of the items has pictures of the item). We ordered few things off the menu and item off the wall.
The beef tongue was excellent, kim chee fried rice was good, the sashimi plate (they offered two different types) awesome (tuna, hamachi. mackerel), me the star was the beef tataki with ponzu sauce (raw beef thinly cut mixed with the ponzu dipping sauce, I could have order ten of those be content and happy), interesting things with mochi wrapped with bacon, and pork butt dish.
Talk about small place holds less then hundred people so you need some patience depending on time and day of week. They do take reservations two hours only two hours before if want or walk in hopefully not long wait. We waited maybe half hour not too bad. The parking not much around the building since lots of business in the same building. I had too park at regular Chinatown.
I had great experience and look forward too my next visit. -
Review from pauline c.
Los Angeles, CA
1/25/2012 6 photos
Ichiza has some pretty solid izakaya just off the strip in the Chinatown area. The seared beef and albacore salad has a fresh crunch and the meats are seared perfectly. The beef tataki is quite plate licking good.
The pork belly melts on your tongue as does the uni which is quite fresh. The skewers are not to be missed.
The service is quite attentive and even better when you have Japanese speaking friends with you. It can be quite a wait during peak hours and on weeks there are events in Vegas.
Ichiza is a great place to grab a beer and a bunch of Japanese tapas. Come hungry and leave happy without breaking the bank! -
Review from Andy P.
Sacramento, CA
2/6/2012
Loved this joint (Note #1: go early or be prepared to wait a bit).
Great Japanese food (Note #2: not your standard teriyaki, blah blah blah). They may have the standards but we were interested in the other more unique and cool foods, (they have plenty of adventurous choices, too).
Service: the guy at the front (owner?) was a bit cool at first, but he warmed up and took good care of us. He could see we were serious because we had been waiting a while and so he gave us one of the reserved tables when that party hadn't shown up 15 minutes past their reservation.
Servers were a little brusque, but not inattentive (BTW, I don't dock stars for this. At some joints I don't expect them to kiss my ass. This place takes its good food seriously and the servers and kitchen staff are just zipping around trying to get as much of it to you as possible.)
Food: we had the beef tataki--very good. I could've eaten three of these. Tuna Poki special was reallllllly good. We ordered another one of these. (Note #3: dishes are small--think tapas-sized--but this is good y'all. You get to try more things!) I also liked the snapper carpaccio.
If I had this joint in my hometown, I'd be there once a week until I had tried most everything on the menu.
One more thing: this place, like a lot of good places, doesn't look like much from the outside. It's upstairs at a pretty average-looking Chinatown strip mall. Don't let that stop you. -
Review from G R.
Denver, CO
Updated - 1/27/2012
Yes, we have returned!!!!!! Yippeeeee. This place still surprises and shocks me! Food is excellent! We had 23 different items, All were fantastic with only one exception (beef liver skewers were unevenly cooked). The yellowtail appetizer on Gyoza skins were awesome as we're uni ponzu served in a lemon.
One note: uncertain what the hype over the honey toast is as its not really that great. Overall, still an awesome gem in the china town part of sin city!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/15/2010
Little piece of Japan in Las Vegas. The place gets packed fast. So call ahead. Taxi ride from the… Read more »
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Review from Ramona S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been coming here for 10 years. Every single time, the food is outstanding. My family would dine here every Christmas, as we come into town from LA for the holidays. The food, it's so good that my brother starts giggling while he's eating. I recommend the beef bowl. Even the rice in the beef bowl is fantastic. Love the black cod, cold seaweed, and honey toast! But overall, everything is seriously delicious. Thank you Ichiza for being my favorite restaurant in Las Vegas!
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Review from Vicky T.
My favorites: Kimchi Fried Rice, Miso Butterfish, Tofu Salad with Tuna Sashimi
Ichiza is one of those places you go to experiment. There's appeal in being able to try a variety of unique dishes not readily available elsewhere (like Beef Tongue, Beef Liver, Inside Out Roll, Honey Toast), especially at affordable prices. But would I order these dishes again? Probably not. Will I dine here again? Probably not. -
Review from Kirstie M.
Las Vegas, NV
1/24/2012
Ichiza is among my top 3 favourite japanese restaurants in Vegas. It's reasonably priced with efficient service, beautifully decorated to look like an authentic izakaya straight from Japan. Before the management had to shut down the restaurant for a few months from health code violations (or so I heard), I only visited the place once with some friends and ordered their rice bowl and mochi. It was absolutely delish!
After they re-opened, I visited more often. Their honey toast is a must-eat! Make sure to get to the place after 3pm though. They aren't there during breakfast hours. To make up for that, they close pretty late too (3am during weekdays and 2am on sundays)
Hygiene-control, however might need a little more attention. A friend of mine traced a tiny cockroach in the bar by the kitchen once and my family noticed multiple black stains on the couches when we dined in last Sunday. Other than that, the friendly waiting staff and overall food quality's good enough to stop by for a visit. -
Review from andy t.
12/30/2011 4 Check-ins Here
DON'T BE SCURRED TO WALK AROUND TO LOOK AT THE SPECIALS POSTED ON THE WALLS
My sister brought me here a few years ago and I've been a fan ever since. She was in town this week and we stopped by here after I picked her up from the airport. She was already tipsy from drinks at SFO cause her flight was delayed so we didn't order bottles of Nigori like usual.
This is what we ordered:
Asahi - large bottle
Mackerel w/miso sauce
Ika-yaki
Stir fried garlic chicken gizzards
Wagyu beef carpaccio
Tako wasabi - they forgot to give this to us
Kimchi fried rice
Salmon w/mozzarella tempura
They were out Black Cod w/miso sause so we tried the Mackerel. The Markerel is a little salty. The Ika-yaki is another dish that we always get. Tako wasabi is also another dish we always order, but they forgot to give it to us this time. Stir fried garlic chicken gizzards are a must. We tried to order the Butter Clams, but they ran out.
OPEN LATE AND 10% DISCOUNT CARD -
Review from Kana S.
Encino, CA
2/3/2012
When I go to Las Vegas,I eat there every single day. Ichiza is really like authentic Japansese Izakaya style. They have so many different dishes as like I went back to my home town Japan. They have so many selection of drinks. My favorite one is fresh grapefruit shochu which served literally half cut grapefruit and squeezer side of shochu. Squeez it ourself. I thoght it was unique. Stuff there were very friendly and nice. Food was excellent. The only con is so far distant and they are so good therefore waiting line is at least 30 mins. If I lived in Las vegas,I will go there very often.
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Review from Richard K.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 12/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Went back to Ichiza again and it was even better than the last time. Wifey and I ordered a gazillion dishes because we were drunk and hungry as always. After all, we were in fucking Vegas! Anyways, the food that I remember ordering were the following dishes:
Uni
Red Snapper Carpaccio
Wasabi Octopus
Yellowtail Tar Tar
Deep-Fried Soft Shell Crab
Grilled Gobo with Pork
Pork Belly Skewers with Shiso
Spicy Fried Chicken
Fried Smelt
Although the uni isn't fresh from the shell, it still tasted amazing. Ichiza hollows out a whole lemon and puts the uni into the cavity of the lemon with cucumber slices, ponzu sauce, and fresh wasabi. The sour and salty flavors were so yummilicious that it had me moaning like a "walker" from "The Walking Dead". Mmmnnnguuuhhh!
The red snapper carpaccio was fucking genius. Consisting of red snapper sashimi with shiso, daikon sprouts, and roe atop a bed of sliced lemons. This is the dish to get if you want raw fish.
The wasabi octopus consists of chopped up raw octopus marinated with fresh wasabi and other flavors. This dish had a cooling aspect that I really enjoyed. I would have given them bonus points if the octopus had been alive (fuck you PETA!).
The yellowtail tar tar was good, but hard to eat. I have a pretty big mouth and was barely able to fit a whole piece in. Looking around, I realized that maybe you were supposed to eat it in pieces. Regardless, the combination of fried chips, rice, salsa, marinated raw yellowtail, and avocado is something that I think I may have to implement at Casa del Ricardo. Thanks Ichiza!
The deep-fried soft shell crabs were tasty, but what really made the dish was the ponzu/daikon sauce. I ended up drinking the sauce and asking for more. Also, I am a huge fan of gobo and the combination of grilled pork and gobo was pure bliss.
Only two of the items tasted meh. The pork belly and shiso was just so-so and the spicy fried chicken had to be the worst dish we ordered. It consisted of fried chicken marinated with "gochu-jang" (Korean chili paste) that made the chicken way too salty. I think we should have just gotten the JFC (Japanese Fried Chicken aka karaage).
However, I saved the best for last. The fried smelt. Yes it's simple, but it's just so fucking wonderful. In Western cuisine, the animal aspect is taken away from fish. I mean, you order fish filets at restaurants and there are no fucking bones. You order fish and chips and that fish is so deep-fried you have no idea what type of fish you are even eating. Well, with Ichiza's fried smelt, this is not the case. You get three whole smelt fish in all their glory from head-to-tail. What was amazing about these little fish were that they were exploding with roe. In fact, the fish were like 90% eggs! Don't think twice, just put them in your mouth because they are motherfucking oishi!
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On the way back to our hotel, I kept referring to Ichiza as Ichiban (Japanese term meaning "the shiznet") to our Filipino cab driver. I think he must have gotten annoyed because he turned to me and said, "It's Ichiza, sir." And in my drunken stupor I replied, "It's both... it's both manong."
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Wife just reminded me that despite her pinching me, my drunk ass told the head chef at Ichiza that he was Ichiban as well and that I told the server that the food was "cho oishi" in broken Japanese. ROFL.Listed in: Best of the Best!, Viva Lost Wages!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/28/2011
Attention all you goddamn retards, especially the morons bringing the rating down, stay away from… Read more »
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Review from Tia D.
Las Vegas, NV
1/5/2012
Oh ichiza, I used to love you so much and now you are just...
We ordered:
-oysters with ponzu sauce (great as always)
-oysters with plum sauce (not bad)
-oysters Saigon style (not bad)
-sakana pinchos (pretty but not easy to eat, each piece is very big and a bit bland some seasoning or special sauce would have been nice)
-spicy tuna roll (good quality but just average to me)
-seared salad (good but had better)
-beef liver skewer (yummy)
-tykoyaki balls(a piece of squid deep fried inside a green oignon dough drizzled with sauce and red ginger on the side, very cute but the flavor are just ok)
-mango and strawberry Mochi (cannot go wrong with that)
The items I really wanted was
-beef tongue (out of it, it was only 7h30pm)
-sweet shrimps on lime (they were out of it)
-uni over lemon with ponzu (never showed up even after asking 5 times for it for about an hour)
Iced green teas don't have free refill but wathever,
The only thing that is really bringing this place down is the service; this is a freakin war zone in there, waitresses shouting at each other from accross the bar...everybody is so god damn load in there, i would expect that kind of attitude at a sport bar during the playoff but not here, come on, there is a difference between casual athmosphere and jungle madness..It took them for ever to take our order(the place wasn't even as crowded than usual last night) and when it finally came up it was mixed up with an other table's order.
And after asking many time about my uni she keep telling me "1 more minut" but that damn thing never showed up, this was the item that I was looking the most forward to...
Also forget about your drink reffill and you have to fake a panick attack to get your desert menu...
I may give it an other try only for the sweet shrimps over lime and that infamous uni and if I really crave ramen when monta is too packed...
Beside that, I really cannot wait for my reservation at Raku next Monday night, sound much more promising!
Step up your game ichiza or you are definitely going down... -
Review from Wei W.
Las Vegas, NV
12/25/2011
Ichiza is an inexpensive place with very good food! I love the Japanese atomesphere there. I am a big fan of their tuna fried rice, which has salmon egg, mushroom and delicious sauce on it....Yummy!!!
Forgot to mention. Love their Honey Toast!!! I always had honey toast with ice cream when I was in Shanghai but it is hard to find this desert here. It tastes exactly the same or even better that what I had before. Highly Recommended for everyone, especially for a group of 4 or more because it is kind of big for 2 people as desert. :D -
Review from Nelson S.
12/17/2011 1 photo
I used to eat here as a regular when I first moved here. My ex is more familiar with japanese dishes so I let her do the ordering and I do the eating. Its a tapa style place so its impossible to get full from just one dish but on the bright side, you get to try different varieties of food.
Everything we've ordered was very satisfying. I'll tell you my favorites: Tofu Salad, Kimchi Fried Rice, their sashimis and ramen noodles, Sesame Chicken....well to cut it short every damn thing was good. Oh except the octopus sashimi, what the hell was I thinking but I like to try things I've never tried before.
People, don't ever make the mistake of ordering honey toast dessert at Tea Station which is just downstairs but force your lazy ass to get up those stairs and come here for Ichiza's honey toast because its way, way better.
It gets full at times so long waits might be required for bigger parties. The wait is usually short with me and just another person. And for you guys with yellow fever, there's this waitress that always wears this purple nike airmax...hella cute. -
Review from Jake E.
Las Vegas, NV
1/9/2012
I go here mostly for the izakaya feel and less for the food. I used to frequent izakayas on a weekly basis when I lived in Japan and sometimes I just want to feel nostalgic so I swing by Ichiza.
The food is about as good as an average run of the mill izakaya found anywhere in Japan. I have a feeling most of the 5 star reviews on here are coming from people who have never ate at a finer izakaya in Japan. The selection could be a bit better, I would prefer an all Japanese kitchen staff, though their wait staff is all Japanese.
So for the food, 3 stars.
For the kind and welcoming staff, 5 stars. Ambiance and izakaya feel get 4 stars.
Don't come here expecting an amazing Japanese food adventure. Come here with friends expecting some cold beer, lively chatter, and friendly service! -
Review from Linda C.
Rosemead, CA
1/3/2012 1 photo
Two words: honey toast. *o*
It was almost closing time around 1am when I came with friends to get some honey toast. When the toast arrived at the table, I was shocked at how ginormous it was!
I figured the honey toast would be the size of the brick toast at Guppy, but it's way better! The ice cream on top just wowed me.
I split this with three other people and my portion was more than enough. I savored every single bite. I evened out the ice cream and honey throughout the toast and every single bite was heaven.
The toast came out to me around $8, a little pricey in my opinion, but definitely good. I didn't get a chance to order food here so I'm not sure what everything else tastes like.
The service was definitely good. They were patient and friendly even around closing time. -
Review from Paul B.
12/26/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Late-night, Japanese izakaya at its finest. This place has been around for a while but has managed to remain hip and relevant for locals.
Ichiza is pretty small but not too jam-packed. Food prices are fair, and the menu feels a bit more authentic with all the extra off-the-menu items taped on the walls.
So far, haven't had anything that particularly stood out as amazing - that's why I'm giving them four stars. Though the atmosphere contributes to most of my good feelings for this place. -
Review from Mon D.
North Las Vegas, NV
1/3/2012 1 photo
So, here we go. I feel like I should never write an review unless I've been to the place more than three times. And yes folks. I have been there more than three times.
This particular time was just as awesome as the previous were, except for one little hiccup. A very concerning one at that.
So what did I order you ask?
Takoyaki balls- Japanese Staple in my opinion meant to be searing as it enters your mouth. basically a dough ball filled with octopus. topped with neon red ginger and teriyaki sauce. So delicious. Lets face it it's hard to mess up this dish.
Beef Curry and rice with chicken cutlet - Warm hot rice mixed with some Japanese not too spicy but oh so hot curry. It is a taste sensation. The mix of an aromatic curry always gives me tingles in me's boy parts i gotta tell ya.
Sakana Pinchos - I should asked someone about the etymology about this one. For those not in the known etymology means study origin. Cus lets face it, Pinchos if ever been in the east coast either north or south means the Puerto Rican always good meat on a stick. Not a sushi roll sandwhich topped to sky with seafood goodness. Its 6 pieces two of each kind of sushi mountain goodness. the first is Masago ( fish eggs ) with spicy mayo on top of a a slice of squid on top of a large slice of tuna. On top of the rice. Out of breath yet ? I know I am...! Keep in mind this is one sushi nigiri all held together by a toothpick! the Second kind is the Large Salmon fish eggs on top of mackrel on top of a miso leaf and rice. Talk about a problem in a mystery wrapped with an enigma... ! Finally is the third kind which is the Salmon eggs on top of steamed orange shrimp on top of tamago ( egg).
Are you tired yet? Salivating ? Both? Well keep reading cus I got more.
Finally the last thing was. the always yellowtail Tar Tar.
This thing is kind of a bore at times better left for those novice sushi or japanese eaters and one truth I would like to have kept hidden but Ichiza caught me in a clandestine mood and decided to go for it. Crunchy chilled yellowtail mixed some yummy veggies. Go great with some beer.
I also had two Kirin Ichiban to drink it down with. I don't know what it was but all of this food and full tummy might almost make up for the large PILL BUG WALKING ACROSS THE BARTOP...!!!! Yes girlfriend , I went there. I was with the gf and as gentleman I covered it up with a napkin and but it escaped my clutches and went to the table space reserved for my very nervous female neighbors. It was a funny site to see. Which in retrospect made up for some of the incident. But what are you gonna do ?
The Service was nice. The waitresses did check on us frequently and I tipped them 15-20% as any normal upstanding patron would do. But man that owner. Someone's gotta do something about him. He made my gf wait out front before letting her sit down. And In I walk 5 mins later. This wasn't the first incident that something like this happened. When I was there before we were on the waiting list and they said 20 minutes nearly a half an hour ago. So I go up to him and ask and all he has to say is sorry sorry sorry but we called your name. Don't think so pal. Without letting me finish. Nope that won't do at all. So I let my grievance out. He politely listens and say sorry again as he shows us our table.
so, my star rating you ask ? 3/5
But other than that it's usually an ok time. my tab was around 50 dollars plus tip. -
Review from Adrian P.
El Sobrante, CA
1/5/2012
This is one of the few authentic izakaya's in Las Vegas and is a gem if you can find it. The food is amazing and very unique. This isn't your typical sushi joint, but you will be delighted to see some authentic dishes (small plates/tastes) of some hardcore Japanese food. There are ton of items to choose from as the walls are all pasted with various menu items.
I always enjoy the beef tongue skewers (it taste WAY more better than it sounds) and the Salmon Belly is so buttery that it melts in your mouth.
If you have enough room leftover...the honey toast is amazing. Think a toasted loaf of bread, drizzled in warm honey, with ice cream. Awesome. -
Review from Peter L.
Henderson, NV
1/17/2012
Great late night eat! Buta kimchee and the curry are only a couple of the good eats there. It's pretty much always packed so either make a reservation or be prepared to wait because it's not a very big restaurant. The workers are all very friendly and always smiling. I ordered a bottle of kirin once and it wasn't very cold (they probably just stocked it in the fridge) but other than that, they'll be seeing me again!
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Review from J P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2012
you know you've been to vegas a lot when you start to venture off the strip. buffets and fine dining are great, but after a while you want to see what else is out there. a friend told us about this place on spring mountain, it's hidden on the second floor of a strip mall. inside it's all authentic izakaya.
i was unfortunately preparing for a juice fast when we came here, so i didn't gorge myself as i usually would have, but from the items i tasted, i know i will be coming here again and recommending it to friends!
we didn't have to wait on a saturday night, and the menu is pretty extensive. there are laminated papers and wooden plaques hanging every where with different menu items written on them, it's kind of fun to look around and see what other hidden treasure you've yet to taste.
the beef tongue skewer, butterfish, grilled squid, tofu salad with sashimi, and honey toast for dessert were stand-outs for me. the tongue was sliced thick, something you don't see a lot, and it was juicy and perfectly cooked. not chewy at all. the butterfish, aptly named, was melt in your mouth delicious. plenty of fat and collagen to make your lips literally smack. fire grilled squid can do no wrong. tofu salad is fresh and simple, and delicious. the honey toast, oh god, the honey toast. a dieter's nightmare, it is heaven in a box of toast, then covered in honey, and then topped with ice cream. what do i really have to tell you about it besides that?
we also had the yellowtail tartare but it suffered from too much rice (could've omitted it all together), the ramen must be pretty good since my friends got two orders of it, and the raw wasabi octopus, although not my favorite, was a huge hit with my table.
if you're looking for something different and more authentic, i would definitely make the short trip to ichiza from the strip, if not just for the honey toast :) -
Review from Letie W.
12/13/2011
Ok. So I saw all of the 5* and I was sooo excited to come here thinking it would be like Guu (in Canada). That place is amazing!! Hoping and praying that this place would be up to par with them, I was seriously disappointed. Perhaps I had to high of expectations?
The food was okay. Honestly. I read the majority of reviews, wrote down a couple of items that everyone kept stating you HAD TO TRY, and went with an empty stomach. First of all, the menu they give you DOES NOT have EVERYTHING that everyone says they have. A lot of the menu is posted all over the walls in Japanese (some have english translations, not all). If you can read, that's terrific. If you can't, well good luck ordering. I personally do not want to be confined to the menu, so good thing I wrote down a bunch of stuff before going. If not, we'd probably end up picking out an udon dish for the 4 of us who went.
Other than that, staff was really nice. There seemed to be a little bit of a language barrier.
I recommend you check out my pics, look at the names and pictures (so you know what you're getting), write down what you want, and then go (if you really must check out this place..I don't think I'm coming back). Also, look at everyone else's pictures on YELP and write down what they are. It will help so much in ordering.
Check out my pics!
http://what2eatz.blogs... -
Review from Janet M.
Temple City, CA
1/1/2012 6 photos
I love Ichiza, my husband and I must go every time we visit Las Vegas.
All the foods from there are totally our designs.
Here are my favor items:
Yellowtail Tar Tar (5stars)
Livers (only $1.50) (5 stars) - this one tastes like liver steaks
Salmon Belly (4 stars)
Oysters (5 stars) - YUM
Sweet Shrimps on the lime cup (5 stars)
There are more but I can't remember the names. I used to go onto yelp and look at the photos and orders from there.
The price is cheap comparing to everything else in Vegas!! check their menu!!
I recommended several of my friends to go there and they all loves it!! I'm going again soon, I can't wait!! -
Review from Nina N.
Garden Grove, CA
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
We came here at 2:30 am and this place was packed. The waitress was kinda rushed us to order cuz last call for the kitchen is at 3 am even they close at 4am.
This is what we ordered: fresh uni in ponzu sauce, beef tataki, fried baby octopus, red snapper carpaccio, tofu salad and one yellow tail dish that I forgot the name.
All the food was good, the portion is big. This restaurant reminds me of Guu in Vancouver. They have similar food w/ open kitchen but Guu is a little bit more expensive.
I would definitely come here again if I go to Vegas. -
Review from emily s.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
mmmM but they didn't have a lot of items that i saw on yelp. :(
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Review from Anhdao D.
Updated - 11/22/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The present Ms Jolie may also eat the salmon-wrapped scallops, which wins best-contents-in-a-bit prize: the freshness of the seafood is highlighted with an honest and straightforward preparation, it's also approved for anorexic starlets.
If you find yourself at Ichiza and rolling in Angelina lust, wanting something indulgent, go for the honey toast. It sounds unassuming but will knock you over with such a buttery sweetness, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, it may yet be the best example of food porn!
for more photos from my last visit, go to http://inspirationsalo...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/20/2011 ROTD 10/16/2011
remember Angelina Jolie when she was married to Billy Bob? It's been a long time because the now… Read more »
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Review from Vanessa N.
Las Vegas, NV
Updated - 1/20/2012
I hate changing my review. I actually haven't done it before. But in this case I must. The food is good, please dont get me wrong. Here's the problem. I got there at 3pm when they open and the place was FILTHY. the floors looked like they haven't been cleaned or mopped in months. The kitchen looked GROSS when no one is in there and it JUST OPENED!!!!When I went the previous time, it was late and crowded so I didn't get a chance to see the dirty kitchen. I went to Pan Asian on Durango and it's SPOTLESS. That is the kind of place I want to eat in. Anyway, I will NOT return as I dont trust it's sanitary. Too many options in Vegas to eat at a place that makes you feel skeezy.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2011
I read the reviews and was pleased with my experience at Ichiza. The place is cozy and the service… Read more »
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Review from Julie T.
12/5/2011
This is a pretty happening place to be... especially the night I was there. I've been told it's always busy, and after eating here, I can see why. There's a huge menu selection - everything from fried, baked, cold, to sweets. I came here after running a marathon, so I was prepared to order anything! The fried sweet potatoes with pork was one of my faves. And then there was the seared tuna with ponzu sauce which was divine. My favorite cold dish was the yellow tail tuna tar tar - there was a Spanish flare to it as it was dressed with avocados and some tomatoes.
This place is definitely a fun place to hang. They have a large dessert selection as well. I had to try the infamous honey toast, but I was let down. I was expecting something out of this world, but it was just okay. The toast and ice cream proportions were off - I found myself piled with bread at the end... having only 1 scoop of ice cream.
Overall, good food with good service. -
Review from Angela H.
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Honey toast? Hell yes.
Not that everything else I tried wasn't good, but this whole honey toast thing is killer. Ya, it's simple enough. Ya, I'd be too lazy to make this at home. Ya, it's tasty. Ya, it's fun.
So, beyond the honey toast, it appears there are 9,000,000 other items on the walls, all written in Japanese, and English. But, don't let the breadth of items fool you, it seems you're bound to request something they don't have, or that isn't available (this happened to my friend, as well as someone else sitting near us). I thought that was a tad bit odd, but whatever. We had the jalapeno fried rice (yum), spicy prawns with eggplant (yum), grilled salmon (pretty much yum), and of course that damn honey toast (double-yum).
All things tried were tasty, and I'd go back again for another round of trying to figure out what the hell to order (I think this might have taken me all night, but I tried not to hold up the show too much). In the grand scheme, I enjoyed each item I tried, however, I think the food might have tasted better, and the time there was more fun, because of the company who invited me. So, thanks to you for the invitation, and here's to that damn honey toast! -
Review from Willy W.
I was a bit disappointed to be honest. Ichiza earned high praise from a friend and quite good ratings on Yelp. I expected more I guess... I thought it was gonna be more of a sushi house, but ended up finding more of a Japanese tapas type of place.
The crazy line outside, even at midnight (oh wait, that's early in LV time), gave it promise. But actually, we didn't have to wait at all. The line was mostly for large groups and two people walked out of the bar area and we were given their seats. Score!
The restaurant is kinda crazy. It was so full and must be a very trendy hangout for college kids, because that seemed to be the majority of the patrons there... avg age = 20 yrs old by my guess.
The menu is a little off-putting in that it's somewhat out of date... specials line the walls and bar area, but I can't read them all.
I actually ended up ordering two things from pictures that I saw on yelp: Yellowtail TarTar and Spanish Mackerel Carpaccio. They were both good, but I would highly recommend the yellowtail. It's different, crunchy, salty and a tiny bit spicy.
We also ordered the black cod, kakuni (pork belly), and a few other things. The items were good in their own separate ways, but nothing really made my mouth say "wow".
And in the end, they had run out of the famous Honey Toast, which made me sad as that was one of the reasons we had gone to this place.
Ended up ordering two separate desserts to replace it: soy mousse (I didn't like it, but my dining partner did) and flan which was pretty good.
So, to wrap it up, I don't know it was okay. I'm glad I didn't have to wait in a long line, otherwise I'd be complaining more. I'd go back for the honey toast and pray that the lines isn't too long. But I'd also probably only have a tiny bit to eat at this place. Maybe pre-game elsewhere first~ -
Review from Jeannie L.
San Francisco, CA
11/14/2011
Love! My second visit and it was just as good as my first. Sure, the wait is long and ridiculous feeling but I was fine with it. Apparently, you can call and make reservations. Next time I definitely will do this.
I came here craving the garlic butter chicken gizzards and the uni with ponzu sauce. I completely forgot about the jalapeno fried rice, grilled squid and all these other delicious dishes until I read them off the wall again.
And I had some of the salmon sashimi and o.m.f.g.! It melted in my mouth. It was so good! Next time I have to remember to order some of that again.
MmMm! Everything was so good. Our bill wasn't too bad for four. It came out to about $98 and we ordered a lot of food plus dessert.
I keep remembering all the things I have to come back for... but I also have to remember all the things I need to try too. I wish I lived in Vegas so I could come here all the time..Listed in: Las Vegas
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Review from Randy F.
Updated - 11/5/2011 7 photos
Oh Ichiza, how we missed your extensive and affordable menu and how we missed your honey toast. Such a simple item that we thought would be easily found in California or even replicated at home, but we were wrong.
Raku may have the new title as the best Japanese restaurant in Vegas but you are still one of the top izakayas around and your extensive hours make you a winner.
Oh and you even accept Amex. So cool.Listed in: My ROTD
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/4/2008 ROTD 3/1/2009
Way to live up to the hype. After reading all the Yelp reviews and remembering my last attempt to… Read more »
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Review from Carol K.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I had the oysters saigon style, they were seared on both sides, they were very fresh! We also had the agedashi tofu this was very good in deed! It was swimming in a very tasty dashi broth. We also had the fried chicken it was crispy good.
The beef curry was very different, don't what was the deal, my hubby described it as " kinda sweet?"
Service a little slow. I don't know if it's on my return list! -
Review from Champ M.
a locals eatery of well prepared traditional japanese. amazing staff and well rounded menu. escape the whorish bustle of the strip and have a nice PG rated meal tonight.
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Review from Osamu M.
Ewa Beach, HI
11/5/2011
One of the best izakaya style restaurants I have been to. I have been to many in Japan and also on Oahu where i live, but this place is comparable to the ones in Japan.
Recommend the whole ika, croquette, beef tataki, agedashi tofu, to name a few.
Definitely will be back.
Tottemo oishii desu! -
Review from Jia J.
San Diego, CA
11/4/2011
In Vegas, hunting for great food??? I wont miss out foods from Ballagio to a Danny's. I basically try different restaurants when I visit Vegas each time. This is my new discovery!
I love their yokitori!! The best I have ever had. I'm from the bay area and also Hawaii! I tried many Japanese restaurants in HI!, they are good, but also pricy! Bay area, sorry, so far I haven't found anywhere is satisfied! There's a good yokitori place called, Yakitori Kokko, foods are decent to above average, but somehow pricy, we spend about 50 each person each visit!
At Ichiza, foods are better. We had four people and basically tried the whole menu! We ordered a lot! and ended up paying around a little over 20 each with tips. Of coz price is not the main part. foods are excellent. They have unique menu, and cook/prepare in a very authentic way! The uni w/ panzu is my fav!
anyway, long story short. It's not pricy, why not to gather 3-4 friends together and try the whole menu together? =]
Miss the food now, =[ will definitely be back. -
Review from J R.
North Las Vegas, NV
10/22/2011 5 photos
Ichiza is not a place to take people whose only experience with Japanese food is a California roll, but if your friends are willing to be adventurous, it cannot be beat. Scan the walls, order something new, and then make sure you leave them hungry enough to eat the honey toast.
Things I love to eat here include, but are not limited to: Tsukune, Ika yaki (seriously, one of the best things ever), Squid and Sea Urchin Roll, Eel Kakikage Roll, Bacon Wrapped Mochi, Roasted Garlic, Honey Toast, and their Green Tea (which is so deeply green that it almost glows).
If you're planning on going on a weekend night between dinner and 10, a reservation will save you a long wait at the door. Ichiza is tiny, and the waits can be really long, especially if you have a party larger than 2. The seats at the bar turnover fastest, so parties of 2 get seated fastest. The parking lot is also amazingly tiny and shared with several other restaurants, so you may have to be willing to walk over from the much larger lot in front of the Chinatown mall.
The only thing that could make Ichiza better would be bringing back lunch, but I completely understand why they cut that out. Also, be aware of how much you're ordering. Like tapas, you can end up with a much larger bill than you expect because you ordered a lot of small plates. Totally tummy-satisfying and still-reasonable, though.
I can't wait to see what they dress up in this Halloween! The only place that might be more fun that night is Anime Ramen, but I doubt it. -
Review from SteLL a.
Henderson, NV
11/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If I can take the chefs of Ichiza and open a new and bigger restaurant with trained servers, hostesses, etc... I would probably have one of the best Asian restaurants in all of Las Vegas.
The issue with Asian restaurants in general is the poor service. It can really put a damper in your dining experience. Instead of hiring experienced waitresses who can clearly understand what you're saying and be attentive throughout the meal, many Asian joints hire their nieces and/or other family members, or perhaps even random attractive Asian girls.
Let's just say, Ichiza... you have phenomenal Japanese food. Authentic and not overpriced, with an extensive variety offered all over the walls and on the menu. Your ramen is definitely better than Monta's (at least that's my opinion). I will always crave your curry udon, pork and onion skewers, fresh oysters, and pretty much everything else offered in that tiny space of a restaurant ;) But please, please, please work on the service aspect!
On the several occasions I've been to this restaurant, my group and I waited about 15+ min to be approached after seating. We watch hungry and thirsty as the 2 or 3 waitresses on duty walk by, bus tables, stare at other tables, giggle in the back, or just plain stand around. We usually have to flag someone down to inform her that we're ready to order and once we do, we feel rushed and it is rather difficult to communicate half the time. The food takes a little longer than the average Asian restaurant, which is ok... but once it's out, don't expect to see your waitress again. Or.. you will see her walking around, but she won't acknowledge your existence. Good luck on refills!
Last night was a prime example. We had 4 of us in the group. We finally ordered our dishes, they came out after some time, then we had a 5th join us. Long story short, he did not have a chance to order anything at all, not even a glass of water.
Needless to say, this place has fabulous food, and it's adorable on the inside... very Japanese :). Workers are polite but lack any restaurant experience. I was torn between giving it 3 or 4 stars strictly due to service! I sure hope that aspect improves because then it would certainly be a 5 star experience all around! -
Review from Jona X.
N HOLLYWOOD, CA
11/6/2011
My friends and I went here late night and experienced the following:
1) Slow, bad service despite the lack of a crowd on a weekday night
2) The sashimi (especially squid) was not fresh, and tasted "fishy" and "plastic"
3) The seaweed salad I had was decent, so that's why there's two stars instead of one
