Tempura Ichika

We enjoyed this one and only (as far as we know) Tempura Omakase restaurant in Oahu. The restaurant is very clean and beautiful: the chef is very polite to greet us at the door when we come in and go. We started with sashimi and beautiful chawan mushi. Then we enjoyed nine tempuras (with which: the shrimp is separated to head and a beautiful body that stands=count as two here)For Uni, you have a choice of cooking with ohba, nori and one more. Their ohba is so fresh and flavorful so I recommend it with ohba. My favorite tempuras were snow crab wrapped with nori and Kisu (Japanese whiting).We finished up the course with tendon (tempura on rice) and ice cream.Though it is pity that we can't directly see how the chef is cooking, we are sure that you can enjoy his skillful dishes! Gochiso sama deshita.

The space is really nice. It's small and intimate so you can make friends with your neighbor. We're all there sharing in the same experience and what an experience it was. Before I go further, I must say the wine list and alcohol is priced extremely fairly, with barely any mark up which is really awesome. So you can feel good about buying a bottle of wine or sake to enjoy with your meal and know you weren't price gouged.All the dishes were exceptional. It's hard to make everything eye catching so the pictures really don't do it justice. The servers were sweet and accommodating and really explained everything quite well.The matcha ice cream was a nice finish, but we didn't quite understand why some people got matcha cake as well. It sounded like they were there to celebrate something so next time we know to say you're celebrating something so you get a slice of cake in addition to your ice cream.While it's under stable the price can be a deterrent for some it's an experience worth having.

Dined here a few weeks ago. First time at a tempura omakase place. Overall it was a good experience. Definitely a must try at least once. The price point for the tempura is reasonable to me so we might return if we want to experience something other than sushi omakase. Only caveat to me is the tempura courses are not as filling as sushi omakase cause sushi got the rice with most of the courses. But we thought the tempura was very good. Not very oily and each tempura was tasty with the chef's recommended sauce. Ingredients are from Japan, including the cooking oil (if I remember correctly). My favorite was the fish with the yuzu onions. Fantastic taste combination. The chawanmushi at the beginning was also delicious.The service we had was also very friendly and attentive. The presentation and explanation of each dish were appreciated. It's a smallish space, but the tempura side has enough room and, when we were there, they spaced the parties out so that there was at least 1 empty chair between the parties. It was a very comfortable, upscale dining experience.We ordered a bottle of sake to go with the tempura omakase that was recommended by our waitress. And to my pleasant surprise she didn't recommend the most expensive bottles on the drink menu! We got to choose our own sake glasses too, which is a nice touch. Side note, the private parking lot in the back of the restaurant is valet only. I remember it being $3 plus tip.Overall a good experience. Wouldn't mind returning.

I will say this is the best tempura place in Hawaii. All the materials are from Japan, Chef Ken cook with his passion and perfection. Services level is as good as make you feel in Japan. Store interior is very clean and beautiful. They have sushi bar and tempura bar separately.

I tried the sushi omakase. It was alright but not really worth the price. There are better value omakase options in Oahu. On a couple of pieces of nigiri, I could taste some raw onion flavor, which was possibly due to an unclean knife??? I felt like something additional was needed to justify the cost.

TL;DRStellar omakase experience. An absolute must-try for tempura lovers.-----My wife and I had such a wonderful meal at Ichika.There is valet parking available, but I recommend parking at Ala Moana and walking across the street.We ordered a couple of Asahi draft beers and also a small bottle of sake to enjoy with our meal.The first course of the night was a sashimi dish, followed by a chawanmushi, and then onto the main event: 10 amazing tempura courses. I won't go into detail on every dish, but all the tempura selections were phenomenal. Not only was each piece fried perfectly, but the Ichika team also paired a specific seasoning/garnish/sauce mixture with each course to accompany the tempura. The flavors and textures were spectacular. The highlight of the night for me was the hotate tempura topped w/ uni and wasabi. Unreal.The omakase concluded with a donburi and miso soup, and then the last course was a wonderful matcha ice cream dessert!I loved not only the food at Ichika but also the attentive service, the calming atmosphere, and the clear dedication to delivering a high quality omakase experience. I will certainly be back!

Tempura Ichika is a culinary gem that brings the flavors of Japan to your plate. With a focus on high-quality ingredients sourced directly from Japan, such as uni, crab, eel, and shrimp, as well as locally grown produce like hearts of palm, Maui onions, and Molokai sweet potatoes, this restaurant offers a unique and authentic dining experience.The mastermind behind this culinary delight is executive chef Kiyoshi Chikano, who has earned a prestigious Michelin star for his outstanding skills. Having previously honed his craft at a renowned Japanese restaurant in New York, Chef Chikano brings his expertise to every dish.The journey begins with a tantalizing selection of fresh sashimi and a chilled uni chuwamushi, setting the stage for an exceptional dining experience. However, the true star of the show is the tempura Omakase. Served item by item, each piece of tempura, from the delicate snow crab to the succulent shrimp and flavorful eel, is a delightful revelation.With only 12 seats per sitting, dining at Tempura Ichika feels like a transport to the vibrant streets of Tokyo. Immerse yourself in the artistry of Japanese cuisine and indulge in the exquisite flavors that await you!

Tempura Ichika is an an Edomae tempura experience led by a Michelin-starred chef who honed his skills in NYC. For $160 plus an 18% service charge, you get a 17-course omakase meal with tempura and fresh seafood dishes. Each course is a work of art, with the chef skillfully preparing tempura dishes that highlight fine Japanese ingredients. Service at Tempura Ichika is top-notch. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. I was drinking iced tea throughout the meal that got refilled multiple times. You can bring your own bottle of sake or wine, as the restaurant is BYOB while they are working on getting their liquor license. The ambiance at Tempura Ichika is really what makes it a 5-star spot for me. I couldn't help but be in awe of all the details from their bowls, decor, and bathroom. I was definitely getting home decor inspiration while eating here! Parking can be a bit tricky during busy times. There is a a small private lot, but I parked on the street. It's about a 2 hour experience, and there is 2 hour max street parking available.

Everything I wished for in an Omakase experience. Chef Ken was outgoing, shared his passion and knowledge of what he prepared. Over the top.

Food and service was good. At the end they hit you with the surprise automatic 18% service fee and they tell you that's not the tip.