The hibachi grills are fired back up. Ichiban is open for regular service in its new home at 130 Hospitality Way off Tunnel Road, in the old Cracker Barrel building, two years after Helene flooded its Biltmore Village spot.

Lunch runs weekdays and weekends, and dinner runs every night. No reservations needed, but bigger groups can call 828-252-7885 to book a table.

Come hungry, grab a seat at the grill and welcome one of Asheville's longtime favorites back.

Ichiban is a Japanese hibachi and sushi restaurant run by the Chen family, the same family behind Wasabi downtown and Pho Real on Merrimon. After Helene flooded its Biltmore Village home in 2024, Ichiban reopened in October 2026 in the former Cracker Barrel off Tunnel Road, with hibachi grills, a full sushi bar and seating for more than 230.

Asheville waited two years to get Ichiban back, and the soft-opening week booked up almost as soon as it was announced. Regulars are happy to see the crab rangoon return.

Ichiban

Asheville's food scene is mostly local, and this guide walks it neighborhood by neighborhood. Many of these spots post their daily specials, happy hours and events on Dig Local, so check a profile before you go. Downtown, Posana on Biltmore Avenue builds its menu around local farms, The Rhu on South Lexington Avenue is known for its cruffin, Old Europe Pastries has made Hungarian pastries since 1994 and now sits on Broadway, and Capella on 9 serves tapas on the roof of the AC Hotel. On the South Slope, Tiger Bay Cafe cooks Latin and West Indian food inside Ben's Tune Up, and the Funkatorium on Coxe Avenue pours sour beer. Haywood Road in West Asheville has Biscuit Head, Thai Pearl, Finest and Westville Pub. Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville has plant, Mountain Madre, Mother Ocean Seafood Market and 828 Family Pizzeria. In East Asheville, RendezVous serves French bistro food on New Haw Creek Road, and Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack fries Nashville-style hot chicken on Patton Avenue and in Arden.

Ichiban Is Open on Hospitality Way

The Scoop