Ichibantei

This spot is great for a big group. One wall is dedicated to a huge projector. The scene is super intimate even though the space is big. Enjoyed the Niku Udon, Katsu, Tuna Rice Bowl, edamame, and fried gyoza. Please note that they do not serve hard liquor until 6PM so we ordered soju first. When we were able to order drinks I enjoyed the Midori and Espresso martini.

such a cute restaurant with a very classy and elevated vibe. they had harry potter playing on the projector and it was such a fun backdrop to have in the back while having dinner. came here for a girls night and we definitely had a good time. menu highlights: kaarage (crispy, hot and tasty), yuzu shishito (table favorite), shio takoyaki (loved this), agedashi tofu (delicious) and tuna don (so fresh). we definitely enjoyed the appetizers slightly more but would definitely come back on their movie nights for the experience.

Was looking for a lunch date with my boyfriend and came here, and Ichibantei ended up being such a cozy choice. The space is dimly lit in a very intentional way, dark but romantic, with soft music playing and a wall quietly looping a movie in the background. The atmosphere feels calm and intimate, almost like a late-night East Village hideaway, even during the day. It’s the kind of place that naturally slows you down and makes the meal feel more intentional instead of rushed. We started with the Shio Takoyaki, a lighter take on the classic Osaka street snack traditionally made from a wheat-based batter cooked in a round mold with diced octopus. Instead of being heavily sauced, these were kept clean and balanced. Crispy on the outside and soft, almost custardy inside, they were finished with sesame oil, salt, mayo, chopped nori, and a lemon wedge on the side. That squeeze of lemon really elevated the dish, cutting through the richness and letting the octopus flavor stand out. It felt fresher and more refined than the overly sauced versions you usually see. We also ordered the Karaage, made with fried chicken thigh, which is the traditional cut since it stays juicier and more flavorful after frying. This one was done really well, crisp without being greasy and tender inside. The flavor was bold but clean, and the lemon on the side added just enough brightness without overpowering the chicken. It’s the kind of appetizer that makes you want to keep ordering small plates. For my main, I got the Beef Sukiyaki, a dish that became popular during Japan’s Meiji era when beef started becoming more common in everyday cooking. Sukiyaki is known for its sweet-savory soy-based broth and comforting nature, meant to be eaten slowly. This version came with Angus ribeye, soft tofu, shiitake mushrooms, shirataki noodles, napa cabbage, negi, and a jidori egg. It was beautifully plated, honestly one of the prettiest dishes on the table. The broth soaked perfectly into the tofu and vegetables, and mixing in the egg added extra richness. Flavor-wise, it delivered warmth and comfort. My only note is that for the price, the portion of beef felt a little small. It was delicious, just not as generous as I expected, though still satisfying. My boyfriend ordered the Tuna Zuke Don, which uses a traditional technique where tuna is lightly marinated in soy sauce to deepen flavor, originally done as a preservation method. The rare tuna sat over rice with an ontama egg, chopped seaweed, and sesame seeds. The tuna looked vibrant and fresh, and once everything was mixed together, the bowl felt smooth, comforting, and very balanced. It’s a simple dish that really relies on ingredient quality, and this one delivered. While some dishes could be more generous for the price, the ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and romantic, cozy atmosphere make it a great spot for a lunch date or a slow meal you actually want to savor.

Super unique and authentic spot. The entrance is quite inconspicuous, but, venturing deeper, you'll see it open into a high-ceiling'ed dining area with a wall-to-wall projector screen. The whole place is a massive vibe. I ordered the Tonkatsu which was served in what seemed like a traditional-style: with a side of rice, miso soup, wasabi, slaw, (unground) sesame seeds, and various other side dishes. Super grateful I got to try this dish, though I would have liked bigger portions of the vegetables! Would love to bring people back here.

Ichibantei used to be a cozy Japanese soul / comfort food spot in the East Village off of First Avenue. in 2023, it moved into a much larger building where it is still resides currently...still in the East Village on Third Avenue. came here on a busy Saturday night (before the big snowstorm) to pick up a takeout dinner. ordered a "Katsu Curry Rice" platter, but it was actually "Karaage Curry Rice"--but i sorta knew this because the app i ordered through had a pic, so i knew i was getting fried chicken chunks (karaage) versus a fried Panko-breaded sliced chicken cutlet (Katsu). assume it's just a error or glitch. anyway, either way i was getting fried chicken pieces, an ample amount of Japanese rice, curry sauce, and pickled radish as a takeout order. the current larger Ichibantei space is sleek, modern, and feels very Japanese pop culture with a touch of NYC versus the previous Ichibantei space which is was way more intimate and casual. Ichibantei's entranceway has seating to wait; there is hostess station to check in for your reservation or to pick up orders, and beyond that is the large main dining low-lit room + bar (you can eat at the bar). on one of the dining room walls, they screen movies throughout the day and night. "Bambi" was playing when i was there that night. there are more floors with seating options, but i didn't check them out. anyway, the restaurant was slammed as they had a full house and what seemed like a never-ending stream of delivery people picking up orders. so my order was about ~25-30 minutes late, but it wasn't a big deal because I was in no rush to head back in the abyss of a freezing winter night. when ready, my order was packed neatly. got home quickly as i was hungry and the food smelled great even through the bag. the food? very good. everything was very warm, so my food didn't sit too long. the karaage was crispy potato-starch-coated fried-chicken-thigh chunks on the outside, but juicy and flavorful on the inside. so good. the Japanese rice was right amount of soft, sticky chewiness to complement the karaage and curry sauce. the curry sauce is thick-ish, seasoned-well with layers of savory umami-ness, nice and aromatic but not spicy, but more mild with sweet notes. combined all together, it makes for satisfying comfort food calories. Ichibantei is open for both lunch, dinner, and stays open late--serving up tasty Japanese soul food for hungry spirits.