Ichifuji

Ichifuji's specialty is the oxtail broth that is served with the nabe (hot pot) set menu. Their oxtail broth is simmered for hours making it rich and flavorful. For first timers, I recommend the "tasting menu" which is priced at $65. You'll get 7 items which are a mix of hot and cold dishes along with raw items you'll cook in the oxtail broth. They make their own seasoning salts and you can sprinkle it over your cooked items to enhance its flavor. My favorite is the garlic salt and I end up putting it on all the proteins. Do save room at the end for the barley rice porridge. The staff will add barley rice into the leftover broth and let it cook down and thicken to porridge. The restaurant is located across Old Stadium Park facing S. King Street. They are on the 2nd floor, above Tori Ton, you'll see a door on the side with a flight of stairs going up. Once you get to the top of the stairs one of the ladies wearing a kimono will greet you. To eat here, reservations are required and should be made a few days in advance. They only open for dinner and it's dine in. For parking, they have a parking lot that is shared with the other restaurants but during dinner time, 5:30-7:30pm, it's hard to get a space. I'd suggest street parking on S. King Street if the lot is full.

Ichifuji is a staple for me and my friends when we come to town. They have amazing shabu shabu/hot pot. We usually get one of the fixed course (omakase) options which is pricey but worth it. The broth is great, the entrees are delicious, the side dishes are fulfilling too. The service is very professional and eloquent and the interior feels very Japanese authentic. At the end they even add the rice/egg porridge mixture into the broth. So yummy!! Highly recommend this place. There is a parking lot outside that is usually decently full, and street parking around the area.

Came here during their soft opening. We did not have a reservation. Greeter promptly seated us at the bar. Staff was professional and the food was on point. My wife and I each ordered the 10-Course Meal. The flavor and quality of the food is top notch. We will go back as many times as we can. I humored the chef and said “I never cared for Nabe until eating here”. That’s how great my experience was. Chef then said “Glad we could bring you to the dark side”. We had a good laugh. Tips: Do make a reservation and be patient finding parking. There are several restaurants sharing the same parking lot. Come hungry!! Entrance is on King Street with a second story walk up. We spent a total time of two hours to enjoy the 10 courses. Enjoy each course but be prompt. They will be ready to serve your next course once you are finished. Bring your ID, they offer a wide selection of drinks. There’s a washroom located in restaurant. It’s a small-medium venue. Good comfy bar seating for one to two or tables to seat two to I suppose a dozen possibly. Staff speaks Japanese and English. Enjoy!