{"id":297,"date":"2026-04-04T03:43:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T09:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=297"},"modified":"2026-04-05T11:34:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T17:34:51","slug":"ichiban-albuquerque-new-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=297","title":{"rendered":"Ichiban – Albuquerque, New Mexico"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
Ichiban for Japanese and Korean Cuisine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In an episode of Friends<\/em>, Joey Tribbiani starred in a commercial released only in Japan for Ichiban men’s lipstick<\/strong><\/a>. His friend Chandler’s response upon viewing the commercial: “he really is a chameleon<\/em>.” In Japanese, the word “ichiban<\/em>” means “number one<\/em>” or “the best<\/em>” and can be used either as a superlative (as in the highest of quality or the very best choice) or to denote precedence or numerical order. The fictional Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan, for example, called his eldest son “number one son<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Whether meaning to denote the highest quality or precedence (ranking) among other restaurants, any dining establishment calling itself “number one<\/em>” is making a pretty audacious claim.\u00a0 That may be especially true if that claim is made about a sushi restaurant. Even in a landlocked market like Albuquerque where fresh seafood isn’t walked off the dock and onto a restaurant’s kitchen, there are enough “passable” or better sushi restaurants that it is disputable as to which is really number one.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ichiban’s Dining Room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After several visits to Ichiban Japanese Restaurant since its launch in the millennium year (2000), it became increasingly clear that the “number one” designation is business name.\u00a0 In our experience Ichiban has suffered from inconsistency over the years. Founded by the owners of the former A-1 Oriental Market, it was quite good for several years.\u00a0 The inconsistency and diminished quality came when Ichiban changed hands.\u00a0 It left us wondering if\u00a0Ichiban’s “number one” designation has to do with the steep bill of fare patrons receive at the end of the meal. It seemed obvious the restaurant owners realize their proximity to Corrales and to Intel. The sushi is priced somewhat above average for Albuquerque which wouldn’t warrant a mention if the quality of the sushi justified the extra cost (it’s as pricy as some sushi I’ve had on the west coast).<\/p>\n

Our hopes were rekindled that Ichiban would regain some of its lustre when we learned that in February, 2026, Ichiban’s operations would be managed by its parent organization, ONE8.\u00a0 Though corporate ownership often means losing the personal and local touch we love, the new owners promise an “even stronger focus on improving your dining experience<\/em>.”\u00a0 One of our genial servers confirmed that–like many (if not most) of Albuquerque’s sushi restaurants–Ichiban is not owned by scions of the Land of the Rising Son.\u00a0 It is owned by Koreans who share similar raw fish culinary traditions.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Miso Soup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peruse the menu and you’ll discern that Korean items share space in almost equal proportion with Japanese items.\u00a0 Such Korean entrees as bibimbap, bulgogi, buldok and galbi share menu space with bento, sashimi, tempura and tonkatsu.\u00a0 That’s before you even peruse the sushi menu which features a boatload of:<\/p>\n