Ichi-Riki Japanese Restaurant - Seaside, California

Jesse M.

I’m a frequent visitor to Ichi-Riki, and it’s always a delight. The food is consistently amazing, with bold flavors, great variety, and very reasonable prices. The servers are attentive, and the experience is elevated further when Kiichi himself serves us—he’s always a pleasure to talk to.

The flavors here are truly remarkable. The specialty rolls are a standout—each one is a perfect blend of fresh, high-quality ingredients with creative, well-balanced flavor profiles. The rolls often have a delightful mix of textures, with crisp tempura, creamy avocado, and tender fish, all brought together with sauces that add a touch of umami or sweetness without overwhelming the dish.

The mussel shooters are a treat for seafood lovers. Served with a tangy ponzu sauce, they strike the perfect balance between briny freshness and zesty acidity, with just a hint of heat to tie it all together. They’re light but packed with flavor, making them an excellent starter.

The sukiyaki is comfort food at its finest. The rich, savory-sweet broth is infused with the flavors of soy, sugar, and mirin, perfectly complementing the tender beef, fresh vegetables, and silky tofu. The balance of sweet and savory makes every bite feel indulgent yet homely, especially when paired with steamed rice.

Some of my other favorites include the Skigoku Oysters and the combination box with Tonkatsu and Teriyaki salmon. I also really appreciate that they have Sapporo and Asahi on draft, which pair perfectly with the meal.

For constructive feedback, I’d suggest adding a hostess stand or some signage to clarify seating arrangements. It’s often unclear whether we should seat ourselves or wait, which leads to awkward moments, especially when the restaurant is busy. Some guidance would make the experience smoother and more welcoming for everyone.

Overall, Ichi-Riki is one of my favorite spots, and I’ll continue coming back for the incredible food, thoughtful presentation, and friendly service!

Jan G.

After our long drive, we were so hungry, so we took the kids with us. I was searching for a restaurant that remains open after 8 p.m. and does not serve fast food. The ambiance in this place is nice. I felt like I wasn't in Monterey. I was expecting my katsudon to be exceptionally delicious, but to my surprise, the pork katsu didn't resemble actual pork cutlets. When I bit into it, I couldn't see any meat fibers and couldn't feel the texture of the pork. To put it simply, the texture is similar to that of a large chicken nugget. Despite my sadness, I ate it out of sheer hunger. It was okay, nothing super special, but the servers and the workers are really friendly. We also tried the albacore roll, chicken karage, and a bento combination. To be fair, the karage is tasty and crispy. I also like the Albacore roll. Despite my preference for the bento, my wife opted for the pork cutlet and tempura combo. Same chicken nugget texture. The tempura dip was a little bland, and the miso soup was a little salty. However, the atmosphere of the restaurant is cool and the staff is friendly. Food wise, it's a 3/5. Again, I wasn't expecting an authentic Japanese meal, but it's better than eating fast food. Food can be better. Thanks for the great, friendly service.

madalynn M. (.

I’m not joking when I say I came here twice in one week—it was that good! The atmosphere is beautiful and welcoming, with immediate greetings as you walk in. I had udon (about $16-$17.50) both times, my boyfriend got a lunch box ($17.50), and my friend tried the spicy tuna roll ($7.50). We all loved our meals, which were great portions for the price. The complimentary tea was a lovely touch that elevated the experience. While the wait time was a bit long, the quality made it worth it. Highly recommend for an authentic, delicious meal!

Dang N.

A nice sushi/Japanese spot offering a robust menu and good service. We came here in on a Friday night for dinner. It was busy but there were a few tables left. There was also some spots left at the sushi bar. The food was pretty good although it was tad bit slow to arrive. I had the Donburi bowl with fresh water eel. It was very good and the eel was perfectly grilled. My family had the combo Venmo dinner and some cut rolls. Everything was good and overall we were satisfied.

Matthew K.

We had such a nice dinner. We shared a "Jo", sake sashimi, and a vegetable roll
Everything was delicious and the service was so welcoming.
We keep coming back for more. The awesome service gets even better, as we work through more of the menu items we keep finding more items we love. Don't forget to check the specials that you can scan with the QR Code.

David E.

This place has amazing sushi and good mix drinks. I am dropping it to 3 star though because the interior is 40 plus year old dinner style. Torn cushion seating. Old grungy faux marble laminate covered tables. Disgustingly dirty carpet. Its a shame because I would come eat here more if it wasn't so rundown inside. The food is great, the mix drinks are on point, the cleanliness and decore is negative 2 stars though. Just Disgusting.

Arthur T.

I had the combination plate of salmon Teri and tonkatsu, which came out in a huge round tray ; comes w 🍚 , salad and miso soup. Rest of my family had rolls, udon and gyoza. Came here arnd Christmas so we got to try the special, jingle all the way roll, I think. Also got to try large cold bottle of bubbly sake. Service was also quick a db friendly. We’ll be back for another round.😎👍🏽

Megan R.

Hands down our go-to sushi spot in the Monterey Bay Area! It is hard to choose a favorite dish here because everything is so good! The Ocean Roll, Pacific Roll, and Riki Roll are definitely our top favorites! The tuna tartar carpaccio was delicious! Top highlights of this restaurant - quality fish, great service, fair prices, and wonderful atmosphere! Do yourself a favor and head over to Ichi-Riki for some great food and vibes!