Ichiban Cafe

If you value customer service don’t come here. The woman who is assume is the part owner is rude and pushy. She visibly shows her discomfort with explaining meal ingredients.
If you like ambience this isn’t the place for you. No music no TV just silence. I wouldn’t mind if there were customers feeling the air with casual conversation but that wasn’t present.
I came for Romen. Spicey Romen and a glass of water with lemon. They had no lemon which I thought was odd.
She told me the spice in the Roman was $ 2 extra which is fine because it’s an add on. They ONLY sell Roman not spicey. she made it clear to me. I got my meal and there was no spicey taste at all. I mentioned it to her and she brought me the entire bottle of spice paste.
My noodles were under cooked and my broiled egg was very cold along with the beef. I don’t usually return food and in this instance I didn’t. Instead I chose not to top the 18% suggested on my check n rounded my my $ 23 meal to 25 n called it a night.
She then took my receipt and said «really sir that is it. This isn’t enough for 2 people. You need to tip more!» She was yelling this at me. I explained to her that I wasn’t pleased with my meal. She followed that with.
«You can’t be serious just don’t come back here again «mind you I wasn’t yelling and she was.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE

There aren’t many ramen options near Baltimore so I was intrigued but slightly wary due to the mixed reviews. I went with a friend on a Saturday afternoon. We were the only ones there, and the younger gentleman who served us was very nice and attentive. We both ordered the Ichiban ramen. The broth was savory, the noodles were perfectly al dente, and the charsiu was tender and flavorful. I prefer soft-​boiled eggs with my ramen but given how satisfying everything else was, I’m not going to complain. This was definitely a very pleasant surprise, especially given the disappointing experience I had recently at another noodle bar. I also had the original milk tea, which tasted very authentic. I just didn’t enjoy the surcharge for substituting jelly in place of bubbles. In terms of the other reviewers’ complaints about the female owner, we had minimal interactions with her but I can see why she might come off as abrasive. I’m fairly used to mediocre to poor service after frequenting many Asian restaurants and living in Asia, so that didn’t bother me. Overall, this was a very positive experience. I’ll definitely be back for more ramen and possibly to try other dishes.

I saw reviews about bad customer service and thought, how bad could it really be? Decided to try it anyway.
BLUF: Do not go here unless you want to have your money stolen by the staff.
I went in to order takeout. The woman took my order and charged my credit card, including an extra $ 0.50 for using a credit card. Except… The order was over the $ 10 minimum. No extra charge should have applied. I told her that and tried to point it out on the receipt, very politely I might add, but she was having none of it. Rather than fix the $ 0.50 cent charge, she reversed the whole order (her decision, not mine). Then she said, «ok it’s done» but would not give me a receipt showing the reversed transaction.
Tonight I get home and check my account. The original charge is listed, the «voiding» isn’t. In other words she incorrectly charged me, hassled me when I pointed it out, then stole my money by pretending to reverse the transaction. You better believe I’m disputing the charges and putting in a complaint to the BBB.

The only thing I’ve tried here is the green tea milkshake with bubbles, and it’s so good. It’s much creamier than other green tea bubble smoothies that I’ve had in the dmv area and there’s an extra note of flavor — slightly floral I think — that gives kind of an undertone to the matcha and is just amazing. The tapioca pearls are also always the perfect texture. I drive all the way from laurel to this place just because this drink is way better than all of the others I’ve had at similar spots, including ten ren tea house.
The reason that I knocked off a star is the customer service. As other reviewers have mentioned, the lady (who I assume is the owner) can be a little abrasive. She gives off the vibe of just not wanting to deal with you. The other staff that I’ve ordered from have been very nice, but it’s usually just her at the counter and I feel like that’s not a good role for her. I can’t tell if the frowning, impatient tone, etc are intentional or not. In any case, a greeting or at least a smile would be nice. But the bubble tea is so good, I can deal with the hit or miss customer service.

So far I have no complaints on their ramen; does the job and satisfies the craving. But today when we ordered take out, hubby went inside to pick it up, he asked the front guy if he can get some of those pepper flakes you add to the ramen.
While the young guy & the older gentlemen cook helped look for a small container to put it in, the old owner woman, who was having a conversation with another older woman, got up to see what the problem was. Hubby heard her yelling at the young guy helping us in Cantonese, not knowing that the hubby understands her, to stop wasting so much effort trying to help us with the pepper flakes.
She then turns to the hubby and flat out says, very rudely, that they’re only offered if you eat in store, if not, then we don’t get it. For someone who just ordered $ 80 of food, she couldn’t even allow the young guy to help give us some damn pepper flakes? Are you F**king serious. Hubby never wants to go back. But I go, ignore the old witch, and think of the other nice hardworking workers.
To the young gentlemen that was trying to help us, sorry if we got you in trouble. Thanks for trying though!
Oh, btw, don’t get take out sushi here. We ordered 3 diff rolls, and it’s the older woman who makes them. Stingy as hell. My dragon roll was squished and only half the size it was supposed to be && it was missing the eel sauce on top.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED $$$ HERE!!!
I was excited to try some ramen noodles and walked into a DISASTER called ICHIBAN Café.
They need to fire the woman upfront and if she is the owner, she needs to be removed from the premises immediately.
I can see why the restaurant is empty.
I asked her about her menu, she took a disgusted look at me and said NO!!, went to help the other people who came after me.
She didn’t care that I turned around and walked out the door.
I should have listened to the other reviewers who made note of the RUDE (understatement) hostess.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED $$$ HERE!!!

Was quite happy with my tonkatsu ramen, but they were out of the flavor of Ramune I wanted to order :(
The ramen was flavorful and exactly what it advertised, the tonkatsu in it was well cooked and tasty. I’d definitely go back and try more things from here if I’m ever in the area again. I want to try the other flavors of ramen as well as the nikuman and other offerings!

I have went here for years and I crave it anytime I get close to the area. I have been known to make it part of my chore circle, even though it is in another city :) I eat my favorites and love trying things on the «specials» board… The Japanese chicken steamed buns were off the scale! The Boba teas and smoothies are a must have– my favorite is Coconut smoothie with extra bubbles

I used to go to this place pretty regularly, but finally got fed up with the curtness and rudeness of the lady that owns the place. If you want to have a pleasant meal, go somewhere else.

Solid take-​out option.
Have been ordering from Ichiban for the past few years, since they opened at the Dobbin location. Never ate-​in, tables are usually close to empty, but it’s byob for what that is worth (at the time of this review).
Behind the counter, you’ll see a hot wok over the flame in the kitchen, authentic-​style sushi bar to the left. Food is good, compared to most similar options in the area. Chinese and Japanese choices: affordable lunch and dinner specials, selection of sushi, bento boxes, and ramen is ok if you’re in the mood.
Would definitely recommend to anyone in Columbia east of Rt29.

Was in town visiting family and my sister took me to my nephews favorite cafes. Ichiban definitely has a quaint diner feel. The menu includes some great options of Japanese and Chinese cuisine.
We started with the Japanese steamed buns. One pork and one chicken. They were okay. We then had the Orange chicken. I liked how the Orange chicken had a nice balance of crispness, moist chicken. Service was prompt and efficient.

Went to the shop with a friend and tried to see if they were open, they were but were still setting up, so I decided to go back to my work place and make a call in an hour or so.
My friend made a phone call to the place and a lady answered, friend began to make an order, asked a question about bubble tea choices and she had the rudest tone to say that she’s busy taking other peoples order and doesn’t have time for this and to come in the shop if we wanted to know the bubble tea. That is one of the most RUDEST reply I’ve ever encountered with a restaurant. She had no professionalism to her at all. Upset, I decided to go to the establishment to find out who she was and to place the order. Once I got there she still held an ignorant and rude atmosphere. She tried to dignify her comment on the phone about the list of bubble tea being long and I noticed she had NO customers nor phone calls to attend to.
All in all:
1. I ordered noodles: very greasy and tasteless
2.Shanghai was the only thing that tasted great.
3.Over charge on wasabi and said it’s a «Chinese style» (Accuracy is wrong)
The place have potential but the service and hospitality kills it!

Ramen here is meh. I wouldn’t really call that ramen. I’ve had better ramen at other places for the same price.
Service is like what others have mentioned — hit or miss. Sometimes the lady is rude, sometimes, she’s polite.

Alright everyone, BYOH. That’s right, bring-​your-​own-​hotsauce. Keep reading:
About service: Peeps, stop complaining about the asian lady! Because coming here is great – you can get a hollerin’ at from the tiger-​mom you never had. And for those who did have a tiger-​mom, it’s like a nostalgic fixture you can come here and be yelled at while slurping homemade noodles… feels just like home doesn’t it? I’m kidding ;) Just be warned, and make it part of the experience! Not sure how to make it happen? Do something dopey, like linger at the counter undecided about which bubble tea to get – and you’ll get a yellat in no time :) For the record, she was really nice to us the last time we went! Lol, I actually come back here from time to time just to read about who else has had a run in with the lady! Also, the young man helping out there is very nice and en pointe with service, so give them some credit.
About those noodles: their ramen noodles are pretty decent. It’s not high-​end like DC or NYC, but if you’re craving it and you come here – I think you’ll be satisfied. They even invested in ramen noodle bowls that help preserve heat of the broth. That shows they’re actually semi-​serious about this ramen thing. I came w/​low expecations, but I found the quality to be maybe a 7 out of 10, a bit above my expectations. I’ve had the miso and the tonkatsu (they now call it the Ichiban Ramen) and both were good, they have a curry ramen too. I personally don’t like the shoyu, but a friend who is a shoyu ramen connoisseur vouches for its «traditional taste.» They just need to be consistent with the heat of the broth and the proportion of noodles to broth. I ask for more broth & scallions, and slightly less noodles and they are cool about it, no extra charge or anything.
About that hot sauce: I really wanted hot sauce, the real, Chinese kind. They definitely had it before, they made it in-​house, and it was authentic, chili sauce. See my previous reviews as to why an entire county of people are now deprived of real hot sauce and must to settle for… sriracha. In Chinese food. I know, right? Soooooo unfair… that’s why I said, BYOH.

I have tried to like this place. I came in 3 separate occasions hoping that I can give this place another chance… but no no no. Service is bad to mediocre, this new «ramen» they have is not real ramen. The egg isn’t even yolky and the noodles seem a bit undercooked.
The woman up front is very rude and the food is not worth it at all.
Plan to leave unsatisfied.

Come here for the ramen, really authentic broth. I recommend the ichiban ramen, it has a really good flavor. If your looking for a homemade mom and pops type restaurant this is it! :)
The staff was very kind and courteous.

Bf and I got a late Sunday dinner here after a busy day… about an hour and 15 – 20 mins prior to closing. As such, it was pretty empty and we were served very quickly. Since they were preparing to close the kitchen, we were a little rushed to order by the owner, but it was understandable and she wasn’t actually upset or anything, just very direct. Ichiban has a pretty big selection of dishes — one side of the menu for Japanese and the other Chinese. I got a small Jasmine bbtea and the tonkatsu ramen, while my bf ordered the Szechuan beef. Bubble tea came out in like 5 minutes and our food in another 5 – 10 mins. The owner also offered to bring out some hot sauce for my ramen, which I happily accepted.
The broth is surprisingly rich, in a good way! I found the noodles to be a little stringy and undercooked… not as soft as I’m used to from other ramen places. The ramen comes with a soy egg, some greens, and unfortunately, I only got 2 slices of pork… a sad portion-​size compared to what I’m used to from DC ramen places for the price I’m paying (~$ 10) but it’s not terrible given the minimal ramen options I have in the Columbia/​Elkridge area… I’m getting spoiled by good ramen, haha. My bf enjoyed his meal — a plethora of beef, green pepper slices, bamboo shoots thinly sliced, etc. and a liberal portion of sauce — which tasted like a combination of osyter/​fish sauce, also served with a side bowl of rice. The bubble tea was also really good — fragrant, sweet Jasmine aroma and condensed milk, maybe? The bubbles were alright — not particularly sweet/​flavored with honey like some other places do it, but not bad.
Quick service and decent food!

We love this place! The sauce is neither gloppy nor brown. It’s flavorful and distinct, as if homemade and not from a jar; imagine that! The chicken is tender and the vegetables fresh and perfectly cooked. The rice tastes just steamed. I’ve sampled many of their dishes, to include sushi, bento box lunches, Japanese, Chinese items and even their ramen. Nothing disappointed.
We’ve always received wonderful service from the older woman mentioned in the previous reviews; she has always been courteous to us. There’s a nice assortment of bubble drinks, which it seems as though my child has sampled nearly all of them. The price is right as well. The vegetarian options are delish.
I truly believe that each time we order here, our food is made from someone who takes pride in what he/​she produces.
Come for lunch. Fill up your tummy, then hit the yogurt shop next door for dessert.

My go to place for Tonkatsu Ramen in Columbia, MD. Rich and creamy broth that’s not too thick or overwhelming. No greasy after taste ever.
Today we ordered 2 bowls of Tonkatsu Ramen, Sumo roll and Dragon roll. Cleaned our plates. Totally digging the new bowls they got for the noodles :)
I don’t know why there are so many complaints on the nice lady there. We’ve always have nice conversations with her. She’s very attentive and asks us how they can improve the quality of their foods.
Folks, please take a chill pill and enjoy your meal. New customers, don’t let the old reviews scare you away! Have an open mind and try it!

Big sign on front window of Ichibam Café says «Japanese Ramen» is available now. It is a welcome in the area that deprives of ramen and good Phở, the basic Asian comfort food. It’s like a city with no Mac n cheese and burger joint. Arghhh!
Tonkutsu Ramen with pork is ok. Not bad and not super good. Not Momofuku level, not Hide chan in NYC or other ramen shops I visited before. I probably will try the miso and soy sauce based ramen next time.