Ichiban - West Vancouver

The chef and staff are very accommodating and understanding of vegetarian and vegan needs, offering the option of brown rice for rolls for a small additional cost. The restaurant also offers vegetarian lunch and dinner boxes with tofu, as well as individual sushi pieces with generous fillings. The atmosphere is pleasant, tranquil, and intimate, with traditional decor including private booths and tatami rooms. While the restaurant is not wheelchair friendly due to its location upstairs, it offers a sense of privacy and a peekaboo view of the water from some of the tatami rooms. Unlike some Japanese restaurants, Ichiban does not have a strong smell of fish and plays Japanese music outside and soft western pop music inside. The restaurant also has a liquor license with a selection of wine, beer, and sake. Overall, Ichiban is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offering excellent quality food at comparable prices to other Japanese restaurants in the area. Parking on the street is free, and public transit access is convenient. Whether for a casual meal or a romantic dinner, Ichiban is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans in the area. Highly recommended.

There are additional vegetarian/vegan options that are not commonly found in Japanese restaurants, such as vegetarian gyoza and the unique "Mr. Bean" roll wrapped in bean curd instead of filled with avocado, yam tempura, and mushrooms. The staff are knowledgeable and accommodating to vegetarian/vegan requirements, and offer the option to use brown rice for rolls at a small additional cost. The atmosphere is pleasant, quiet, and intimate, with traditional décor including private booths and tatami rooms. The restaurant offers a view of the water from some of the tatami rooms, adding to the sense of privacy. However, please note that the restaurant is not wheelchair-friendly as there is no elevator. The restaurant is known for being vegetarian-friendly and does not have a strong fish odor. It offers a mix of Japanese and soft western pop music. Despite a large flat-screen TV near the entrance, the focus is on the dining experience. Ichiban is highly recommended for vegetarians/vegans, with prices comparable to other Japanese restaurants and excellent quality. They have an alcohol license with options like wine, beer, and sake. Street parking is free but may be difficult to find. Public transport is convenient, with many buses along Marine Drive. Whether for a casual meal, formal occasion, or romantic dinner, Ichiban is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans alike.

There are at least six Japanese restaurants in Ambleside, all within a 4-block stretch. This is one of only two that serves vegetarian options, with the other smaller restaurant also located on the same block. Iiban has a vegetarian section on the menu with a wide selection, more than most Japanese restaurants offer. The staff are accommodating to vegetarian and vegan requirements, even allowing customers to bring their own ingredients for rolls if desired, though this is not necessary. In addition to the vegetarian menu section, there are other vegetarian and vegan options available, such as vegetarian gyoza and the unique Mr. Bean roll wrapped in bean curd instead of filled with traditional ingredients. The atmosphere is pleasant, quiet, and intimate, with traditional decor including private booths and tatami rooms. The restaurant is not wheelchair-friendly due to the lack of an elevator. While there is a large flat-screen TV near the entrance, the focus is on the excellent quality of the food rather than entertainment. Overall, Iiban is a great option for vegetarian and vegan diners, with competitive prices and a range of alcoholic beverages available. Public transit access is convenient, and parking is free on the street. I highly recommend Iiban for both casual and formal dining experiences.