Cancel

Open app

Search

Ichiban Bistro

4.2 (52 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Ichiban Bistro Japanese Restaurant Photos

Business Info

You might also consider

More like Ichiban Bistro

Recommended Reviews - Ichiban Bistro

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Steak teriyaki bento box
Mary T.

This is a nice japenese resturant in the regentrified downtown area of Sanford. They have a limited lunch menu and more extensive dinner menu. The cali roll was decent and the single mandu/wonton was crisp delicious. The miso soup was a large portion with a decent amount of seaweed and tofu. The steak was good. In all, it was average when compared to any Raleigh Japanese resturant. For Sanford, its one 9f the better resturants.

Bento box lunch chicken hibachi
Daniella L.

The food was amazing very healthy taste and for the soy sauce they had a "less sodium" option which I really liked! If you are looking to eat healthy this is your spot. The service was amazing while there is a language barrier and they do wear face mask it makes it kind hard to hear them especially when it busy but you can still understand 100%. The place is so cute and chill I got there around 11 and the place was pretty empty until 12 where people started coming in but the vibes of the place stayed calm as the floor and tables are black it gives that ambience of luxury!

Hybachi shrimp
Lynn R.

I was looking for a healthy option for lunch and wanted veggies and shrimp. I ordered the Hibachi lunch with rice, veggies and shrimp. This came with miso soup. The rice was described as fried rice but it was just brown rice. The presentation was nice but the sodium hit at my first bite was overwhelming for me. And though I liked my lunch it was too much sodium for me. I assume the fish sauce they use has a lot in it. etc. I also had a cup of water and it was not palpable. The water must not be good in this area of Sanford. The carrots were cooked the way I enjoy them - just a slight crunch and the Zuccini was firm not soggy. The shrimp was plump and plenty for lunch. The service was nice and ambiance is fine.

Hibachi bento box, spider roll, spicy shrimp roll.
Alexandra E.

Been to this establishment twice. It's a Small but clean space. The dining room only seats so many people but it turns over pretty quickly. The staff is friendly but there are only two servers, no busboys, no host so you tend to wait a little for help, and service, but not annoyingly long, and only because they have so many jobs to do as the only do in the dining room. Food always comes out fresh and well plated, delicious and timely, for being so busy and having everything made fresh. My only requests would be to have social media pages so you can tag the business ,(this is only one of a few places in Sanford to eat sushi and the word needs to get out), and maybe add another front house person to help clean tables and so the waitresses aren't doing everything. Plus, it will speed things up and less times for customers to wait.

Shogun specialty roll
Ken K.

First time at the Ichiban Bistro, it was very good- Amazing food, great service, family environment. This will be my go to place when visiting Sanford!

2 roll lunch special. Spicy tuna roll and alaska roll.
Jenny S.

The food is actually pretty good for being in a small town. The restaurant is clean and the staff is very polite. The decor could use a little help.

Salmon roll (front); spicy yellowtail (rear)
Melanie N.

We popped in on a Saturday afternoon and were seated right away. I love that they offer lunch portions on the weekend! All 4 of us ordered sushi and miso soup which was all delicious.

Killer whale roll was phenomenal    Definitely a must try.  Delicious
Katie T.

Food was fast and delicious Service was great. Our server was prompt and did the job well. We will definitely be back!

Hubby had the lunch sushi. Again they had a nice size portion.
Sookia S.

My husband swears that we have eaten here before, but I would definitely remember this place. The food is very yummy. I had the lunch hibachi Salmon and split a Nina roll with my hubby. I loved the mug that they served the Oolong tea in. I have a thing for a mug. Definitely coming back.

Katsu chicken.

See all

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ken K.
16
4
2

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lois H.
0
112
142

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Food was great. We waited 45 minutes for our food though even though it was take out.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

The food is delicious! I love the hibachi chicken bento box. Great price for the food you get.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

The sushi was great! Lots of variety! Service was fast and super nice. The decor is rather minimalist but clean and pleasant.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of J Kent R.
0
137
582

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rachel J.
121
12
2

1 year ago

Great food and great service! Never have to wait long and the prices are decent. Goooooooood

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Dora L.
0
45
30

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Traci L.
124
36
16

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

The best Japanese food in Sanford, hands down! I would recommend Ichiban to anyone looking for great sushi and other Japanese dishes!

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Cindy L.
76
44
100

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of J S.
0
4
0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

I love this place. Good food. Sweet staff. Affordable. I recommend a visit when you are in Sanford

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Marisol L.
119
22
25

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Haylee L.
107
21
24

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Nora E.
0
27
73

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Ichiban Bistro

Verify this business for free

Get access to customer & competitor insights.

Verify this business

Ichiban Bistro - japanese - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...