Ichi Raku

Free appetizers are the ONLY good thing Ichi Raku has to offer.

My boyfriend and I are no experts, but we're on a food-critique type of journey to find the best sushi in San Francisco. Unfortunately, Ichi Raku was on the list.

The first and last thing we were served were great; miso soup and a scoop of coconut ice cream. Everything we ordered, horrible. The sushi and sashimi were far from fresh and prepared sloppier than I had ever seen. Basically, it was raw fish gone bad and overcooked rice thrown together.

I'm not one to judge, but next time I walk into a completely empty restaurant I'm taking a good look at who's standing behind the sushi bar. Something about Latino chefs watching tela-novelas and laughing amongst each other in Spanish doesn't exactly go hand in hand with the art of sushi.

Don't waste your time or money.

Pros: good miso.

Cons: everything other than the miso.

Posted 06/10/08

And I have got to say this is hands down my favorite restaurant period. I grew up down the street from this joint and I have tried other Japanese joints... most are too pricey and not enough food and the food isn't good enough for the price. This place redefines the word value. You get so much food of actual quality for so cheap (for 10 dollars a dinner box with salad, and your choice of three items teriyaki, tempura, maki, oysters, etc. and it comes with miso, unlimited tea, edimame, sometimes a minestrone, imatation crab salad, seaweed and cucumber salad for free on the house). I admit this place has gone down hill. Some of the help can seem brainless at times, actually most of them except the main lady and the bus boy. But even then... They've gone down hill but their still better than everyone else. What does that tell you about everyone else?

Pros: Better Japanese food and more of it for less price

Cons: The service is sloppy, but I don't care that much.

Posted 09/06/07

I found the service to be impressive. I came with my girlfriend in the heart of the dinner rush on a Saturday night and the second we sat down miso soup, edamame, and pickled seaweed were on the table. They gave me a free korean style salad "on the house" and I wondered why. But from reading the rest of the reviews here, it seems that their style is to give things to you for free. That works for me! Our orders were expedited in lightening speed. It seemed like 5 minutes. How did they have time to cook the salmon teriyaki? Nonetheless, everything was done to our liking. I was also impressed by the value. Free stuff aside, the portions are huge and the food is cheap. It's one of the cheapest Japanese (Korean-run) places I know. The food is average-good, but it will be difficult to find a better value. The only bad thing about this place is that the seating seemed tight and cramped. Our table was in the middle of two 4-seat tables and very close to them both. It was a little uncomfortable, especially since the creepy guy next to us kept staring at my girfriend the entire time.

Pros: Good value, Free food, Speedy service

Cons: Seating arrangement

Posted 03/19/07

I used to live in the neighborhood that is when I discovered this place. The sushi is great, especially if you go for the fancy sushi such as chef's special or rainbow roll. The other stuff is average but still good and fresh. I love the spicy salad they bring complimentary. Took a lot of friends here, they all loved it.

Pros: fresh fish, good value

Cons: no ambiance, not great service

Posted 08/07/05

I've been here a couple times, and yes, it's true that you get a lot of free appetizers and extra food, and their prices are generally cheap. If quantity matters to you then eat here. But in terms of quality, the taste was mediocre and just awful compared to other Japanese restaurants.

Pros: cheap prices , free food

Cons: , not fresh

Posted 06/19/04

Like all the previous comments, you are served with so many appetizers before your meal comes. You definitely get your money's worth here. Food is great and service is fast. One of the best Japanese restaurants in the Richmond District.

Pros: Lots of Appetizers, Inexpensive, Number of menu items

Cons: , Parking may be hard

Posted 02/29/04

i am usually full with the free apetizers before i get to my order. Last time they took me as apetizers on the house, beef soup + miso soup + imitation crab salad+ grilled fish+ edamame+pickled veggie+ i guess is a seaweed salad. Everytime i go it seems the free food gets more and more. I am on their mailing list and they go on sending me discount coupons. I am starting to believe one day they'll pay me to eat. My advice is to order fish, especially sashimi.

Pros: free food, good fish, more free food

Posted 02/20/04

This is the best restorant in town. When you come in, before you even order a bunch of free apitizers and soups are on the table ! A little tip, the more you go there, the more you order, the more free food you are getting. Since i'm their regular customer no matter how much food i order i'm getting at least $25 worth of free apptizers and on house specials. The portions are fair and great tasting, my favorite is dragon roll and rainbow roll.
When you go there, go on empty stomich, you are gonna get stuffed, and they make sure of that !

Pros: Great Food, Large portions, Social Atmosphere

Cons: Always crowded, Parking a bit of pain, Service not great

Posted 07/08/03

I love this restaurant and am fortunate to live near it. Ichiraku is a no-frills sort of place where the seat you, serve you and you walk out stuffed. The food has always been great and served properly hot or cold. The staff there is very pleasant and they often throw in "extras" when my friends and I have carried out their food. And in the midst of all these expensive Japanese places, this place gives you a lot for your money. Their lunch box is huge with three choices, rice, miso soup AND served with edamame, fish soup, and cold veggies. For around $6.95. Also check out the pictures on the wall while you wait; you may know somebody.

Pros: Good food, Excellent service, Great value

Cons: Street parking only

Posted 05/14/03

I love this restaurant. It could stand to be a little bigger, but the service is great and the food is fantastic. Try the soft shell crab, it to die for! Also, everything is so cheap, but great quality!

Posted 11/04/02

Nothing is missing from this menu! Any and everything you can think of then some in Japanese food. I'm not Japanese nor an expert in Japanese cuisine but I never leave this place hungry. The girls than service the tables are absolutely wonderful, friendly and usually quick. They like to bring little 'extras' to the table. Its a great way to get to know other food items that you might have never considered. For me it was a plate full of fried squid---absolutely delicious! The best part is how small the total is on the check at the end of the meal. Again, the portions are amazing!

Pros: Ample menu, Friendly Staff, DELICIOUS

Cons: Sometimes noisy

Posted 08/17/02

We went here for purple lady's birtyat., it ROCKKS. ORder whatever: they put fish in every oiled thing so it's all good. Free beans, yo!

Pros: monkeymonkeymonkey, everyone loves a monk, ey!

Cons: i'm still hungry, too much oil in soup, squeeze clams in oil

Posted 07/02/02