Ichibantei

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

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 wi

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.