Competent teppanyaki with genuine charm Ichiban occupies a…read morecomfortable middle ground in the hibachi dining space -- neither a revelation nor a disappointment, but a reliably enjoyable evening out. The theatrics at the grill are well-executed without veering into gimmick territory, and the chefs clearly know their way around a teppanyaki surface. The steak deserves mention. Properly seasoned and cooked to order, it holds up against pricier competitors. The fried rice is a quiet standout - better than it needs to be, which says something about the kitchen's attention to detail even on the basics. Where Ichiban earns its reputation is in the overall package. Communal grill seating creates an energy that's difficult to manufacture, and on a good night the atmosphere genuinely elevates the meal. Service is functional rather than polished, which feels appropriate for the format. The pricing reflects the experience rather than purely the food, and that's a fair trade for most diners. Walk-ins are acc lodated, making it an accessible option without une friction of advance planning. Not a destination for the serious gastronome, but an honest, well-run restaurant that delivers what it promises.

Located in the Southwest Plaza Shopping Center, in Roanoke, Virginia, this Japanese Steakhouse is…read morevery well known for its Hibachi Grill and Sushi. Last time I reviewed it I dined with a friend at one of their Hibachi tables with chef performances. I invite you to read that review and view my photographs accompanying it. It was an amazing dining experience. This time I dined at their traditional dining room next to their Sushi Bar. As soon as I arrived the friendly lady host welcomed me and after asking where I preferred to dine, took me to one of their tables there. Shortly afterwards, my friendly server arrived and took my drink order of a Coke. Then after I had reviewed their menu, I made the following order to my server: I ordered the Gyoza for appetizer and for my main entrée I ordered the Lobster, Filet Mignon (cooked medium-rare), and Scallop Hibachi Dinner which was served with a chicken broth and green salad with the house ginger dressing. The timing of the bringing out the items of my order was perfect. My server did an excellent job serving me the items of my order and making sure I didn't need anything else. This dining area had a more relaxed environment and the food was the same high-quality food. The filet was very tender and juicy. The scallops also tasted very good as well as the lobster meat that was served in a small bowl. The fried rice however tasted somewhat strange. Like if they hadn't rinsed the container where it was cooked well and it had a soapy flavor. It also lacked the flavor of Japanese butter, that it usually has when I had it served from the hot table performance. For dessert I ordered a slice of their Japanese Layered Crepe Cake. I remembered how delicious it tasted last time. This time it also tasted awesome yet not as fresh as last time. In conclusion I still highly recommend this restaurant, preferably eating at the interactive dining experience with a chef cooking at your table, unless your ordering Sushi. Then the traditional dining room with Sushi Bar would be a better option.

Sometimes in the least expected places one can find the most exquisite restaurants. Looking for a…read moreplace to eat after an upset with 419 West Restaurant for not having enough parking spaces to accommodate their booked customers, after canceling the reservation that I made through Open Table, I drove off to a tiny strip mall next door, and there I found this place called Szechuan Chinese Restaurant. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Szechuan Restaurant in South Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. As I was walking towards the restaurant after parking my car, since I hadn't had an opportunity to research it to find out if it was good, I asked one of their customers who was also headed that way and he replied: "After more than 40 years of being their customer, I haven't found a place with better Chinese food." What an outstanding live testimony to the place, I thought to myself. Then as I got closer, Their windows were displaying framed articles about the restaurant. Inside, the owner was seated at his open office located in front of the restaurant, and the walls around him were inundated with framed awards and photos related to the restaurant. The owner, very friendly and hospitable, greeted me, and explained how since Covid they no longer had table service. But you would look at the menu, order and pay there, and then the food would be taken to your table in take out containers by a young lady server. As I went through their beautiful and extensive menu, he was able to notice that I was not too familiar with many of the items on the menu, so he helped me by asking me some questions of my likes and providing some recommendations. I ended up ordering a Coke to drink. A Vegetable Spring Roll as appetizer, as well as a Scallop Roll from the Sushi Bar. And as my main entrée I ordered the Pork Szechuan Style with their Fried Rice. And for dessert they had only three options Cheesecake, Chocolate Cheesecake, or Donuts. I went for the Chinese Donuts because I always wanted to try them. After ordering and paying with my credit card, I went to their dining room to look for a table to sit at. I picked a booth next to a window to provide enough natural light to be able to photograph the food nicely. The server brought me a plastic bottle of coke with a styrofoam cup with ice. The dining room was very nice and had the most beautiful and elegant fish tank that I've ever seen in a restaurant. It's a pity that they hadn't return back to regular table service since Covid is now under control. While waiting for my food to be prepared, I walked over to the Sushi counter to watch the Sushi Chef prepare my Scallop Roll. I invite you to view my photographs and videos accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. Finally, the friendly young lady brought my food to my table on a tray which she placed on the table. Both her followed-up to see how I found the food and to see ifvI needed anything else. What can I say, the food was amazing! From the Sushi to the Pork in the Szechuan sauce, to the Spring Roll, and Fried Rice. By the time I ate the donuts they had cooled down and hardened and were a bit dry inside. While I was enjoying my meal, several customers stopped by to pick up their To Go orders that they had ordered by phone or through their website. Others came with the intention of eating in but when they found out the situation, they ordered for Take Out instead. And a family who came to eat in, left when they found out the dining situation. The dining experience is not the same eating out of plastic containers. It's like drinking wine out of a plastic cup is not the same as drinking it out of a Baccarat wine glass. I highly recommend that the owner return back to the normal way of operating a restaurant. The inside of the restaurant is much too beautiful and the food much too exquisite not to do so.

service. Even on Christmas Eve when half of Roanoke wants Szechuan and things get a little busy,…read morethey are uber-professional. Dumpling SAUCE is amazing. I think it's made fresh. I would LOVE the recipe.

Very good food very good service. Really clean. The location is great as is the service. No problem…read moreparking.

Atmosphere is non desirable. Just not fitting for that kind of restaurant. Food is so soread more

Great food great service, always putting on a great show. Their hibachi rice is amazing…read more. Gave it four stars and not five because I understand the concept of the hibachi table But they tried to cram too many people at the same table . Myself I'm 6'2 300lbs , my wife and our friends went, and the husband is roughly the same size as me. A little better discretion from the host seating the people. It just comes to a point in time where your customers comfortability is far more important than refusing to just open up another table when at least 15 tables were open.

The atmosphere is nice....BUT...DO NOT get any seafood hibachi....the chef put the shrimp on the…read moregrill FIRST...and let it cook for at least 30 mins...by the time he put it on my place it was a piece of burnt rubber....then they give you 4 scallops...and he cooked those for 20 mins...then proceeded to cut them into small portions...and cooked it for another 10 mins....the scallops were so tough....it made a sound when you poked it with fork...just get chicken..maybe they won't overcook that...,

Everything we had from here was flavorful, hot & delicious! The restaurant inside is beautifully…read moredecorated, it wasn't crowded when we arrived at 5:40pm on a Monday evening. They were doing a heck of a carry out business, and know I know why. My husband had the wonton soup - he must of enjoyed them because I didn't get to try them, however that broth - oh my delicious- I finished that - easily. I had an order of the crab wontons - mostly cream cheese tasting - wish there was a bit more crab/shrimp, overall tasty. We shared our first hot pot - ribeye, carrots, peppers, stewed tomatoes served with your choice of rice - we chose the fried. Our shrimp tempura roll was yummy! Oh and we also each had a strawberry sangria although they do have other cocktails - I totally missed out on a screwdriver but the sangria was good too. Service was excellent- very nice people. Look forward to returning in the future!

After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing…read moremy consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to go back and write follow-up reviews on those restaurants that impressed me the most during 2025, and Cafe Asia 2, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. This Asian fusion restaurant in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke, is definitely one of my favorite restaurants of all times. And my first visit and review is something that I will always hold very dear. When you finish reading this review I invite you to go back and read that review and view my photographs accompanying that review, for it was a very unique dining experience that I will never forget. From the time you arrive at this restaurant the contemporary building design seems to beckon you to approach and enter. I love their unique logo design made up of letters and a number of a particular font that communicates a certain air of distinction. Once inside, you're like in another world altogether. If the outside of the building was impressive, the interior immediately captures your attention and mesmerizes you with it's beauty. When I arrived today, a very lovely and distinguished lady, dressed very elegantly, welcomed me and led me to the table of my choice. Later did I find out that she was the owner of the restaurant, and I had an opportunity of talking with her about the restaurant, its Sushi Bar, and Sushi chefs. Soon after, my friendly server, who was from Indonesia, came to introduce himself and take my order. To drink I had a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. It was served in a tall glass and tasted marvelous. As appetizer, I had the Dim Sum Platter. It contained 3 shrimp dŕhumai, 3 pork dumplings, 3 pork wasabi shumai, and 2 roasted pork buns. One of those items was extremely spicy, I had to drink water to cool down. The others tasted reasonably good. As my main entrée I had the Lobster Tail Tempura Maki. It was very colorful and tasted, and completely filled me up. My original server did an excellent job serving me the food and coming by to check on me. But then he disappeared and another server, also Indonesian came to bring me my main entrée. I think it might have been a shift change, but feel the first server should have let me know about this fact. But if the first server wad excellent, the second was amazing. He answered all the questions I had about items on the menu, and while delivering special dishes to other customers, he allowed me to photograph this food for the benefit of the readers of this review. Then, at the end, he helped me choose the dessert to have for the Grand Finale of my meal: the Banana Basket. It was amazingly delicious and had slices of bananas, kiwi, mangos, whipped cream, and strawberries. And topped with caramel and chocolate sauces. Considering its friendly and relaxing ambiance, its extensive menu with a wide range of Asian dishes, from traditional Chinese entries to a full sushi bar with raw and cooked options, and its amazing customer service, I definitely highly recommend this restaurant from my own experience. Every time I've dined there I've had an exceptional fine dining experience, and as I'm leaving I'm already looking forward to returning.

I go here every time Im in Roanoke!! The food is amazing! Service is top notch for a family run…read morebusiness!! The restaurant is spotless and very inviting! You are always greeted with a smile!

Went for lunch on a weekday around 1200 and was the only customers there the entire time. The staff…read moreis nice and the ambiance is good. I do find it odd that they bring you water in a bottle from WalMart, but maybe they have water issues. My wife ordered the Yakisoba and it was good. I had sushi and while not the best I have ever had, it was acceptable. I do think that $50 for lunch for two people is extreme.

We've been here 3 times now and have always had a good meal. Market beef was perfectly cooked as…read moreordered. The fried chicken plate could easily serve 2 people and was also very good, well seasoned crust. Fried green tomatoes were well breaded and stay together when cut. They had a nice balance of acidity from the tomato and the corn relish with the richness of the pimento cheese.

Tried to callto order from this business and no answer, then I see online it's permanently closed.read more

Sooooo good. The family atmosphere, the lovely service, the wonderful food. Dianeread more

Service great Food awesome…read more Nice family atmosphere Large menu to include food kids will like Sunday morning buffet is to die for