Ichiriki Aiea - Aiea, Hawaii

Daniel N.

I'm all about the AYCE hotpot game, but sometimes will indulge in a la carte places because the quality is likely better. And this was definitely the case with Ichiriki.

We stopped by around 6pm and had a short 15 min wait for a party of 2. My first thought was that it was freezing inside - the AC was blasting. But by the end of dinner it actually felt nice, so thanks for keeping us comfortable by the end.

For my meal, I orders the Minamoto set at $48 which came with an appetizer platter, chicken karaage, chanko set and shave ice. I chose the choice ribeye set and paitan broth. We also ordered the pork kimchi. All the apps were very good! At first I thought the pork kimchi was lacking pork, but it was buried underneath all the kimchi. The app platter was good and included cold tofu, edamame, poke + the karaage. The only item we didn't like was the poke - very offputting taste. The actual chanko set was also good. Even though the amount of ribeye was minimal (again, I'm more team AYCE), I left sufficiently full with all the apps and other shabu accompaniments. Now what I LOVED was the paitan broth. It was SO incredibly flavorful. I asked for a refill nearing the end ans also asked for to go containers so I could take home the left over broth and cook up so yummy ramen the next day. The ending green tea shave ice was also refreshing and delicious.

Our server was friendly and checked in with us often. Parking is easy. Will definitely be coming back and getting that paitan broth again!

Debra C. P.

My daughter invited us here for lunch! Hot pot soup she says! I prefer Aunty's hot pot or Heavenly Hot pot! since I'm a connoisseur on hot pot. But, I was wrong!.. at the other establishments you help n your self at the fridge.. usually over picking up items.. where it overly filled and can't really taste the broth. Here the portions are preplated just right and the price is set! We ordered miso broth, Chanko, with short ribs and veggies $26, my daughter ordered pork tonkatsu $14- luncheon special , Mitch ordered spicey shoyu broth- Chanko with shirt ribs. We also ordered appetizers!
sautéed mushroom, namasu, ahi katsu that were all very delicious!

Scot R.

I got the bento set with pork loin katsu the food was outstanding. I feel the wait staff need more instruction on how to serve at least three different people brought my food. It felt disjointed. It was just me so what I enjoyed is I went by myself and got a table right away. I ordered the poke Appetizers set. My favorite here is the minced ahi poke. Great flavor and consistency. I feel the edamame soy beans don’t belong here. They should offer wonton chips or lettuce leaf with the nori on this appetizer plate.
I ordered the pork loin katsu bento for dinner and the Katsu and sides were great. However the asparagus they served the bottoms so many of the asparagus bottoms was fibrous and hard to eat. The cooks and chefs should know better. They should try the ends before serving it then at least they know what shouldn’t go on the tray. The draft Kirib is my facoritese so refreshing. The Large is served in a tall stein which is great. As for the food servers there was a few of them and my bento comes with miso soup came before my soup which is a disappointment. When it came the soup was delicious.
Since I’ve been eating out on Oahu I’ve find Japanese restaurants live been to put shredded cabbage below their katsu but barely put anything because from where I’ve been NOTHING on Oahu they put their katsu on a bed of shredded cabbage is refreshing with katsu and tempura fried, grilled, or roasted ahi. I don’t understand why this place doesn’t put more shredded cabbage? It’s the cheapest vegetable on their shopping list. They don’t serve an inexpensive bento so I don’t thinks their saving money on cabbage.
My thinking on the music over head they should play culturally appropriate music or Hawaiian or slackkey guitar. Because the music they are playing on my visit is hard R&B and Rap. I know ithe staff is a younger crew but the majority of customers are like 49-70+ years old so something calming in the background is better with sunset/sundown times. The music is like L&L vibes so it feels cheap because of the rap and K Pop. In any case I’m coming back for the Shabu Shabu hot pit and hopefully my new friend the host Ms. Destiny will be here. She listened to my concerns and was very customer service oriented.
I shared how the music can make or break the TIP because this is the service industry and if you can cam and make people feel like people and make them feel like they matter through their eyes, ears, nose and mouth then they will appreciate your service with a tip or becoming repeat customers.

S

This restaurant is old and dirty. Floors are sticky and the bathrooms are disgusting. The table had human hair on the napkin. presetting all the tables with napkins, bowls, spoons is not a god idea. Dust and debris will accumulate, it's not sanitary and it could happen from just people walking by. The value is not there either. Shibuya in Honolulu is a much better option. Cleaner, nicer, and so many choices. Worth the drive to Honolulu if you ask me. Thirty dollars for unlimited meat/ seafood/ veggies. 23 dollars lunch price. Don't order the squid at this restaurant, it's tiny and will disappear in the broth.

Elizabeth G.

I recently dined at Ichiriki in Aiea and I've been coming here for years. Unfortunately, my experience today was not at all admirable...

To start, I ordered a Coke with no ice (as I normally do), and they served me a cup filled only halfway, which felt rather petty. I was surprised to find that refills were not offered, making it even more disappointing for a beverage that isn't even alcoholic. Coca-cola must be hard to come by if you're eating here, as they are so desperate to conserve their soda. I still cannot fathom that I was served a cup halfway full and how that was seen as an acceptable form of service. I have NEVER dined somewhere and had this happen to me, but I guess there's always a first for everything...If you want unpleasant surprises, then you should dine at Ichiriki.

The food prices have always been on higher side, which only added to my dissatisfaction with the drink. While the food quality was decent, I didn’t feel it justified the cost.

Service-wise, it was adequate, and I don’t believe it was the hostess’s fault for these issues. She did her best under the circumstances, but the overall experience left me feeling let down. I do feel that it should have been mentioned or better advertised that they do not offer refills. Not once was it mentioned when I dined in. I was hoping for a more enjoyable outing, but I doubt I’ll return given the high prices and lack of attention to beverage service.

I will be happily looking into other hot pot options elsewhere.

Gary W.

Ok sooo for a person who lived in Japan this is such a great find…. Food great! Service AMAZING! Holy smokes the service by a ting man named Jaran OVER THE TOP!!

For what you’re getting the prices are so very reasonable I wish the music would’ve been more Japanese, but the atmosphere is fantastic. Shedding Japanese style in Japanese food truly a great place if you enjoy Japanese.

If you’re anywhere near the Aloha Stadium, do not miss this place if you get a chance !!

THANK YOU!!

Spicy L.

Had the ichiriki soup base with the seafood dinner chanko as always with added beef and pork. They used to have snow crab legs included in the dinner set, but now they have it separately for about 15 dollars more. They also dont have the avocado maguro on the menu, which in the past was spectacular. Im glad at least the ichiriki soup base tastes the same. Lovely.....my host was awesome and took very good care of me and was very attentive well deserving of her tip. The atmosphere was great and not too busy. Went around 1130 to noon and tney close at 2pm and open again in tne evening. Parking was alright at that time. Experience was great just wish they kept the avocado maguro.

Wayne B.

Heavily disappointed to find it has declined significantly from its former glory. Once a bustling spot with loyal customers and full reservations, it simply isn't what it used to be. Notably, all the four and five-star reviews are from at least two years ago, while recent feedback mirrors my own one-star experience.

Cleanliness is a major concern. Dust covered the fixtures and lamps above our table, and I worried it might drift into my soup. The floor wasn't well-maintained, giving the impression of neglect. The utensils were also problematic; spoons were filthy and sticky, and I found dried-up rice on the metal ladles which there was another one on the table so I tried using that one AND THAT ONE ALSO had these nasty stuck on dried up rice or goo or something similar on it. It seemed as if the dishes were washed hastily and without proper care.

Service was mediocre at best. After taking our order, the server didn't check on us again until we were done. We were told they needed the table back by 7 PM, delivered in a tone that was condescending and as if I'm doing them a favor by eating there. Almost got the feeling like "GTFO in time and do what we tell you if you want the privilege to eat here." Despite this demanding request, our food took almost 25 minutes to arrive, while other tables were served within 5-10 minutes max.
I get it the server was busy with so many tables but you can tell that she was avoiding eye contact purposely not to put our order in until she had finished serving the other table their order. At least if she put the order in (or atleast even just ask if we were ready?, we even tried to raise our hand to get attention but no purposely ignored) - she could have served while the order was being made but we just sat there waiting for her for a good 3 years. We nearly considered leaving.

Although the food quality wasn't bad, everything else about the experience ensures I will never return. The staff appeared disengaged, reflecting poorly on management. For the small portions and thin slices of meat, the prices are unjustifiable. Both the chanko and shabu shabu sets are overpriced. For the same amount, you could dine at all-you-can-eat restaurant with comparable quality. Even with proper service and a clean, pleasant environment, returning as a customer is still uncertain at best...but no not even close.