Overview

Nestled in Albuquerque’s quiet Corrales Road corridor, Ichiban Japanese Restaurant offers an inviting gateway to authentic Japanese and Korean flavors. The unpretentious setting welcomes diners seeking both a casual lunch and a relaxing dinner, reflecting a balance between comfort and culinary finesse.

Ichiban’s menu is a well-curated collection of classic Japanese staples and Korean influences, making it a versatile spot for diverse palates. The sushi lunch combos and bento sets stand out as crowd-pleasers, especially the Sushi Lunch Combo Plus Crab Stick and the Deluxe Bento for Two. These options provide a satisfying, well-rounded experience, blending fresh sashimi, savory rice, and thoughtfully prepared sides.

Appetizers reveal Ichiban’s dedication to textures and authentic tastes. The age dashi tofu arrives crisp and delicate, perfectly paired with its dashi dipping sauce, while options like karaage — Japanese fried chicken — and green chile tempura add a regional twist beloved by locals. The soft shell crab tempura and shrimp tempura are also praised for their light yet crunchy coatings, making great preludes to the main dishes.

Notably, the Korean selections such as buldok and dolsot bibimbap round out the menu with punchy flavors and comforting heat, ideal for those looking to explore beyond sushi and tempura. Ichiban’s lunch specials, especially the “build-a-bowl” option, enable personalized meals that cater to varying preferences, whether teriyaki, spicy chicken, or seafood.

Customer experiences emphasize both the quality of ingredients and the attentive service. Guests frequently highlight the freshness of the sashimi in chirashi bowls and the consistent taste across multiple visits. Families appreciate the approachable environment, as seen in visits with children who enjoy a variety of rolls and dishes. The restaurant’s staff respond quickly and with respect, creating a friendly atmosphere conducive to impromptu dates or low-key family outings.

Ichiban’s space holds a relaxed atmosphere without pretense, enhancing an experience that balances simplicity with culinary satisfaction. Its location on Corrales Road makes it a convenient culinary retreat away from the busier parts of Albuquerque, delivering an authentic taste journey that remains accessible to sushi enthusiasts and Korean food lovers alike.

In all, Ichiban Japanese Restaurant offers an honest and enjoyable dining experience marked by fresh ingredients, flavor authenticity, and a welcoming ambiance. It stands as a solid choice for those seeking a reliable spot to indulge in classic Japanese and Korean dishes without the fuss, making it a dependable destination for both casual lunches and serene dinners.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Trendy

What Customers Say

Demir Oral
Dec 3,2025
5/5
This unassuming restaurant features great menu options and high quality ingredients. My wife and I went there for dinner last night. I ordered the age dashi tofu as a starter. The tofu came out perfectly light and crispy, and held up to my dipping it in the dashi sauce. For dinner I had the chirashi bowl, which came with generous helpings of really tasty sashimi. Even our iced tea was surprisingly good! The service was great and the atmosphere was very relaxed, which was perfect for our low key Saturday night out. We will be back again to try more on the menu.
Viviana Mendez
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Amazing place! Will always recommend to people whenever they ask about good sushi places. I dunno, it’s an amazing place. Please look at the amazing food we’ve been given. Quality has always been consistent and these are all photos from different days.
Estevan Montoya
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Ichiban Japanese is a favorite for impromptu date with my wife. We both got the Galbi. I got white rice, she got fried. She said the flavor was a little off on the rice. Overall it was a good meal. We also got green chile and shrimp tempura (separate appetizers). It’s $24 a plate of the Galbi. I’d give it 4.5 out of 5. Service is always good.
kaz
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Amazing food and very attentive staff!! Treated with absolute respect and the food came out very fast! Workers work with speed and work together, very pleased with my lunch!
Heather Morris
Dec 3,2025
5/5
Sushi day with the boys! Ordered Goyza, Una Don, Cali rolls, spicy chicken buldok, and lunch special rolls. Everything was great, kiddos approved.
A. B.
Dec 3,2025
5/5
(New) 2 lunch combos & beef short ribs that my husband always gets! (Old)It’s a Korean/Japanese restaurant. ( Some of the Korean plates were pretty spicy if you Love spicy food.) We have been here for couple times, we had Bento for 2, Galbi ( beef short ribs with rice), seaweed salad, California roll, miso soups, and so on. So far so good all the food were pretty tasty, the service were very friendly too. We’ll definitely come back to try more others plates.
Danace Yambao
Dec 3,2025
5/5
This place is a gem. The soups was so flavorful and authentic. The dishes are not spicy so don’t be scared. The portions are huge that people can share the entrees. The spicy squid stir-fry was so good. The location has a good amount of tables so it can definitely accommodate big parties. They also have seating outside.
Mel T.
Dec 3,2025
5/5
From the moment we entered the Hostess was friendly and attentive. We choose to sit at the counter (unless it's full which is very rare). Food is fresh, tasty and delicious. Food is prepared quickly (rolls are what we usually order) - Waitress is friendly and always happy. Now that the weather is warmer we hope to sit on the patio as it looks inviting.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Wednesday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Friday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 06:00 PM
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