david czech
5 fish
Ichiban Bistro (Ichiban Sushi) in Sanford, NC, deserves a 5-fish rating! My wife and I recently dined there and left absolutely impressed with the quality of the food, the service, and the overall experience.
We started with a variety of sushi, rolls, and sashimi, sharing everything family-style. The fish was incredibly fresh. perfectly cut sashimi that melted in your mouth, with vibrant colors and that clean, oceanic taste you hope for. The rolls were creative yet balanced, with generous portions of high-quality ingredients wrapped in perfectly seasoned rice. Nothing felt skimpy or over-sauced; every bite was flavorful and satisfying. Whether it was classic nigiri or specialty rolls, the presentation was beautiful and the flavors spot-on.
What really stood out was the service. Our server was courteous, attentive, and incredibly fast—our food arrived quickly without feeling rushed. They were polite, checked in just the right amount, and made the whole meal feel welcoming and enjoyable. The process from ordering to paying was smooth and efficient, which, combined with the very reasonable prices, was a huge plus on a busy afternoon out.
Located in downtown Sanford this spot has become our go-to for authentic Japanese cuisine in the area.
If you’re craving tasty, fresh, sushi in a friendly, efficient atmosphere, Ichiban Bistro is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back soon.
highly recommend!
5 fish all the way
… moreMax Lloyd
Better than normal Japanese fare: sushi, hibachi, etc. with table service and small wine list located in charming downtown storefront with original tin ceiling. Bonus: Chef can handle gluten-free cooking requests and they can provide gluten free soy sauce at the table.
… moreMichael Prinke
My wife and I come here two times a month to treat ourselves and have a date night. The service is wonderful, and every so often they treat us to a special dish from the chef (we make sure to tip well. ) . Their sushi, in my opinion, outstrips anything I’ve had in Cary in terms of quality and value, and the presentation is top notch. I can’t recommend Ichiban highly enough, and we will be back many times in the years to come!
… moreAmber Shaw
Our 2nd visit was much better, the sushi was good, service was always great. Very polite. Hibachi was delicious and the soups are great. Definitely worth repeat visits. Jalapeño appetizer is amazing!!
… moreCindy Chan
Lovely staff. Great Miso soup and sushi.
Update 3/7/25
I love the Salmon Lover Combo. The fried Calamari was great as well. I ate it all before I remembered to take a picture. Miso soup is still great.
My friend had the Chicken Udon soup.
… moreSam Williams
Excellent sushi! The quality is far beyond what I expected and the service was great. They have a great sake selection too. It made for a delightful dinner that is more affordable than other sushi spots.
… moreMike Smith
I dont understand the bad reviews. This is the best Sushi place in Sanford. Service was efficient and friendly. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was fun and busy. The prices are even almost too good.
… moreEric Keith
It’s not often the meal presentation looks better than the photos! Not only did it look good, but it tasted amazing. I got the teriyaki chicken bento box with seaweed salad, and I was surprised to have an entire bowl of seaweed salad before the bento box came out. I was also happy with a freshly grilled chicken breast on the plate. Overall, it is my new favorite Asian restaurant in Sanford and I look forward to coming back for the sushi!
… moreAmanda Collins
It was absolutely delicious!! The Sea Roll & Brett Roll are amazing!! It’s our third time and it’s only gotten better!! Definitely one of our go to places for sushi!!
… moreDavid Smoak
Best and only real Japanese restaurant in town, IMHO. Great service, my wife finally had good chicken katsu she has been craving. I agree with other reviewers that the spicy tuna roll isn’t the greatest. The other rolls were the Alaska and shrimp tempura/avocado rolls, they were much better. I am grumpy about most restaurant prices nowadays, but that’s the new world of inflation and post-COVID. We will definitely return, this restaurant deserves to succeed, Sanford can be a tough town to survive in!
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