I love Ichiban! Hands down my favorite Japanese restaurant and I've been coming here since they opened over 30 years ago. The food is excellent, but it's their friendly service that I love more than anything. Masako and Tom are always there and greeting and taking good care of customers around the restaurant. read more

Was in the mood for Japanese food, but not just sushi or ramen. We decided on Ichiban and were welcomed right when we walked in. The gentleman was so friendly and inviting. The food was as delicious and service so attentive. Our group enjoyed the calamari's crisp coating. The sukiyaki was piping hot, like it should be, with generous portions of beef, veggies and noodles. The tempura was crispy, hot and had a great variety. 30 years in Brea! I'll be back! read more

We went as they opened for dinner and were pleasantly greeted and seated immediately. They offered us some edamame as we finalized our orders. We started with some appetizers of karage, salmon and yellow tail sushi and a scallop hand roll. We then ordered two types of cold soba and agedashi tofu with miso soup for dinner. Everything was delicious and the portion sizes were perfect for our dinner. Fish was fresh and the chew on the soba noodle was a great consistency. After we were done with our meal, we were given some eclairs to tie everything together. The service was superb, food was great and value was good for all that we ordered. read more

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This restaurant never disappoints! Quality authentic Japanese Cuisine at its finest! I drive all the way from Irvine to come here, and every visit out does it last. Honestly I've eaten at NOBU and this place is way better, Always a pleasure, read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

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Delicious well prepared food. Personal service by iwners and staff. Lighting, decor and furnishing very nice. Wish they had a hand rail by the stairs. read more

I placed an online order at 5:30. I walked in the restaurant at 6:30 thinking that my order will definitely be ready after 1 hour. The customer service here is horrendous, no server or anyone came to talk to me for 5-10 minutes even though I stood at the front waiting for someone. They stared at me, yet did not say anything. Finally, the lady at the front confirmed my order with me, but she was saying something that I did not order. I told her what I had ordered and then she said "Shoot!" And ran in the back of the restaurant. I did not see her for 20+ minutes. I just sat in the front and had no updates on what had happened. This was extremely frustrating. After 30 minutes, they gave me my order that I ALREADY had waited an hour for. All she said to me was "I'm so sorry" THATS IT. They did not offer me a coupon or anything for waiting a total of 1 1/2 hours for the food. I'm extremely disappointed at this restaurant customer service. Just be wary of this place customer service and DO NOT RECOMMEND ORDERING ONLINE! AS FOR THE FOOD: Also extremely disappointing because I've been a customer of ichiban for years. I ordered steak teriyaki and it tasted like it was heated up in the microwave. Absolutely gross because I've had it here before and it's been good but NOT this time. They rushed the order and microwaved the steak. read more

Food was excellent and price was reasonable. Service was also excellent. Environment was so calm and relaxing. Theres also plenty of parking space. read more

Have reviewed Ichiban before but it's still terrific! We like the #1 and #2 plates...both very good! read more

Still the original owners for the past 40 years! Amazing food and service. Our server Erik recommended the boat and it was delicious. Something for everyone to eat and it was a great portion size. Very nice restaurant inside making a great dining experience. Definitely coming back soon! read more

Great service! Our first time eating here and the service was incredible. Everyone is very nice and friendly and the food was delicious!

My family happened to be at the Brea mall after the holiday season and it was so ridiculously busy there was nowhere to eat so, with a quick search we thankfully found Ichiban. Upon walking in, I noticed the photos of locals and celebrities that visited the establishment. The restaurant's ambiance is cozy and comfortable. We sat down and not long after was treated by a very friendly waiter, in fact all of the waiters were so happy, nice and patient. We ordered the 3 item entree special ($20.50 each) and wow, it's an amazing value. Miso, salad, pickled cucumber, and pickled bean sprouts. I selected shrimp and vegetable tempura which was light and crispy, steak tempura (actual steak) and California rolls. Everything came out quickly. Hot foods were hot and cold foods cold. Our drinks were never empty because the servers were so attentive. At the end of our meal, the owner even hooked us up with deep fried oreos, which were deliciously decadent. All in all, for our first visit Inchiban didn't disappoint. I will certainly be visiting again when I'm in Brea. read more

This is an amazing Japanese restaurant right next to the Brea Mall, it's has been there for more than 30 yrs. The value for the price is absolutely incredible. The food is delicious, everyone that I have taken there has loved it!! read more

Nice little sushi place in brea. I got their salmon and tuna- both was pretty fresh and tasted amazing with their housemade wasabi ($3 extra). Surprisingly, they have pretty limited options here. They didnt have salmon belly or toro. It's definitely on the pricier side but not bad for the quality you get. I'll be back to try their rolls. read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

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We came for Valentine's Day and got the best service ever! The food was amazing, and the owner made the meal feel like we were visiting with family, not eating at a restaurant. This is now our go to anytime we want Japanese food! read more

This was my first time here and everything was amazing as soon as you walk through the door, It was a warm greeting. The vibe was cozy and welcoming. The food did not disappoint at all, from the sushi rolls, the udon noodles, and the desserts. Everything tasted fresh and was packed with flavor! The hot sake was nice and smooth as well as a nice refreshing bottle of Sapporo . I would definitely recommend this spot the next time you are craving sushi and want to support a local business. read more

Just tried ichiban tonight with my family and the food was really good! They were very accommodating with me being a vegetarian and made a dish for me without the fish base. The owners are the absolute sweetest!! I highly recommend!!!! read more

I loved it, the food was very good, service was great and the location was exactly what I was looking for. I'd definitely go back!

Service was so attentive, everyone was so sweet! The food was also great, sushi was very fresh and tasted wonderful! I only wish the portions were larger, I got the sashimi + california roll for $23, and there were 8 rolls, 3 slices of tuna, 2 slices of salmon, and 1 slice of yellowtail. Other than that, everything was fantastic, a new favorite for sure. read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Sashimi & California Roll* - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

Food is amazing and the service is wonderful. Everyone says hello to you and random staff members come by to check up on you. The Sashimi Latina is a must try! Soooo delicious! read more

Super friendly staff and good sushi. Surprised I haven't visited sooner but so glad we stopped in. We ordered three rolls, a couple sushi pieces , beer and some hot sake. It was a great dinner. The service was pretty quick and staff was super attentive. Can't wait to go back and try their other items. read more

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Brea, CA Ichiban has been in business for 34 years, owned and operated by the original owner. We've visited this Japanese restaurant about 4 or 5 times but twice within this past year. The restaurant is located across the street from the Brea Mall closest to Nordstrom side, off of Imperial and Randolph, North-West corner. This is a Japanese owned business and their warm personalized service as well as delicious food is what really earns them a 5 star in my book. When I dine here I really feel this is the next best thing to dining at the owner's home. Masako and Tom are so welcoming and the staff here just goes above and beyond to provide excellent service. Business Hours have adjusted and they are no longer opened for lunch which is a shame because we would come here more often. Now they are open for Dinner service only, but 7 days a week. Sun-TH 5pm - 8pm, Fri.-Sat. 5pm-9pm. Most recently I ordered: 5 stars Beef Sukiyaki with California Roll The Sukiyaki is served with rice, miso soup and salad, but instead of Miso soup I doubled up on the salad with Masako's home made dressing which is SO good, in fact, they sell it by the bottle it's that good. I have not put my finger on what is in it but it is slightly creamy and tangy, it's so so good! At most Japanese restaurants Sukiyaki beef is super thin but not always tender or edible...here they use a slightly thicker cut of the beef but it is super tender and flavorful. The broth is clear and flavorful but not too salty, accompanied by tofu and vegetables like cabbage, carrots and onions...so good! The Sukiyaki had such a homemade taste to it, so warm and comforting on an Autumn evening a delight to enjoy, served in a large shallow cast iron dish. I love the California Rolls here as well, probably more than any other Japanese restaurant I visit . Free Parking, complimentary hot green tea and usually edamame too. Dine in and take out. Parking is free. What's not to love? I look forward to my next visit. read more

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went here for a surprise birthday dinner and it was so good! i wish they opened for lunch! the owners came by to check on us (party of 9 adults and four children) a few times. staff was friendly and we never had to ask for any drink refills. ordered two "boats", sushi, and gyoza. everything was so delicious! i will definitely be back! read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Seafood Boat - beef and chicken teriyaki, shrimp & veg tempura, karaage - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

This was sort of an accident....had to find last minute reservations on Valentines Day because the new Tempo in Brea cancelled everyone's reservations on the day of Valentines Day! Anyways, I've always seen this place because I go to the bike shop in the same strip mall, but never tried it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to visit. Great food, great service. This was my first time there and I really enjoyed it. I like the cozy atmosphere in the restaurant. Tried a variety of rolls and everything was delicious. Will definitely be back! read more

We have been eating here for decades. The food is amazing. The tempura delicious, you forget it's fried. The miso soup is the best I ever had. Service is 5 star. The owners great you and make sure you have everything you need and you are satisfied. Warm and friendly. They make and bottle their salad dressing. You will not be disappointed read more

Love this place! Brings back all the 90s vibes of American-Japanese classic restaurants. Hard to find these family owned places given that many family owned places are now either being retired or sold off to new owners. Lunch is open for take out only and the portions are very generous. Everything I want in a bento is there, high quality ingredients. You really can taste the love and thoughtfulness in every bite here. Dinner is only open from 5pm to 8pm. Although that's a short service time, they get really busy, even on weekdays. You can really tell alot of their customers are repeat loyal customers from over the many years they've been open. I look forward to trying more items on the menu! Keep up the good work guys! read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Take out lunch options. Would recommend calling ahead to place an order. - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

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This place has great ambiance, service and delicious food. We didn't have to wait long for our table.

First experience and definitely not the last. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly as they offered us the best food on the menu. Dessert was amazing and ambience was great. Hats off to Memis ! read more

The best Japanese food in Brea! The curry is really tasty and the service is excellent!

Love, love, love this place. I wasn't sure what to expect but we went in upon a recommendation and we are so happy we tried it. The owners are the *Nicest* people you will ever meet and the food was excellent! Fresh and full of flavor! I can't wait to return... read more

Hands down the best Japanese restaurant in North Orange County! Their sushi and sashimi is the highest quality and the service can't be beat! read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Sashimi Dinner - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

I ordered a bento box today via door dash. Overall food was good and I'd order again. Shrimp & veggie tempura: it was a tad dense and no daikon oroshi. Next time I'll see if this can be added on the side so it's helps break down the greasiness. California rolls: really tasty! Nothing fancy, but it hit the spot. Yakitori: it wasn't yakitori like I'm used to. Chicken was cooked and put on a skewer with the traditional tare (sauce). read more

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Our server, Lauren, was seriously the most sweetest most wonderful server iv ever had! first of all her voice sounded quite literally like a angel, so soft. She was extremely aware and respectful towards us and her surroundings. her demeanor was excellent she made it seem though everything she did was absolutely effortless. always reassured us that we were okay even if i thought i was in the way. always checked in on us and was sooo welcoming. to top it off she gave us dessert on the house! even though we said no thank you and it ended up being soo yummy! As well with the main dish of course it was great tasting. Lastly, the owner was extremely friendly and welcoming as well! This was my first time going but my family has been a few times so i'll definitely be coming back myself to see these kind people and great food! read more

We are relatively new to Brea and just starting to explore the city and what it has to offer. We stumbled across Ichiban after visiting a local coffee shop nearby and decided to check it out for dinner. We came early on a Saturday night and were greeted by a friendly host who seated us right away. The restaurant had a very family friendly vibe and the service was great. They even brought my 4 year old son a pair of training chopsticks and interacted with him constantly through the meal. Our food came promptly and it was delicious. They even brought my son a little bag of candy! Definitely a hidden gem in Brea and we can't wait to come back! read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Tofu salad - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

Visited here for the first time and everything was so delicious. The service was excellent and everyone was so friendly. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Wow! Where do I even start? This place is amazing, and impeccable customer service. I've been here with my son, husband and mother-in-law and I really feel compelled to leave a review because of how amazing this place is. The food is great quality! Good portions. The servers have always been friendly and they always ask us periodically if we need anything, and there's a specific older gentleman (I didn't get his name) who always checks in periodically to see if we need anything. He is awesome! Sir, if you are reading this, thank you for your amazing service, and next time I will get your name! There's also a lady who is very pleasant and sweet and I didn't get her name either, and she was also checking in with us to make sure we are doing good and if we need anything. Thank you ma'am, and I will get your name too next time! The staff here has been very attentive and welcoming and we will definitely be back again!! Props to the customer service here! Wow!! :) If you haven't tried this place, I really recommend it! read more

Fantastic sushi, sashimi, and friendly service. Stumbled upon this small mom and pop shop thanks to Yelp! They're famous for their Sashima Latina, which I truly appreciated all the flavors. You get to select from 3 fish options: salmon, yellow tail, tuna, or all 3! I didn't know that and opted for all 3 to try anyway. Soooo good. Definitely will be back! read more

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This food was delicious. My child thoroughly enjoyed it at all as well so more brownie points. The service was +A, and the ambiance was quaint, which was ideal for the occasions. I'll be visiting again for the sushi bar with copious space. Cheers またね read more

I have been coming here since I was a kid. The food is always great and they keep the place clean. The feel of the place is very family and welcoming. Accidentally came here today not realizing they opened at 5pm. The staff very nicely said they are only doing to go lunch boxes. read more

Ichiban Japanese & Sushi Restaurant - Lunch - Japanese Near Me - Brea, California

OUTSTANDING PEOPLE, outstanding service and outstanding food. Outstanding and our favorite Japanese restaurant!

Had a recommendation for this place and it just became my new favorite Japanese restaurant. It's very high quality while being very affordable. I had the sukiyaki and it was delicious. Excellent and attentive service from all the staff. Good vibes and I will come again! read more