VEGETARIAN: Ichiban Earns Several Carrots
Photo by Douglas Imbrogno
By M. James Street
It’s true that definitions of vegetarianism vary from one person to the next. Having said this, I am often asked if I consume dairy, eggs and seafood. The answers are yes, yes and no. Taking my dietary restrictions into consideration, I have found that I can eat quite well while dining out in Charleston, W.Va. However, I sometimes find myself limited to the same menu item for one particular restaurant if it’s not exactly conducive to requests and creativity.
One restaurant that has consistently stepped up to the plate in accommodating my requests, however, has been Ichiban, 103 Capitol St. Although a ‘Pan-Asian’ restaurant with a sushi bar may seems like an unlikely place to find vegetarian grub, many items can be found on the menu to make anyone’s tummy happy. Who could resist snacking on edamame while Vic, the sushi chef supreme, prepares rolls filled with your choice of carrots, avocado, daikon, cucumber, cream cheese, sesame, sprouts… well, the possibilities are endless.
One of my personal favorites is a menu item known as “the Winterplace,” a peculiarly named giant roll containing asparagus, green onion, tempura crunch and cream cheese. What makes this meal so special is that the item is dipped in tempura batter and flash fried, forming a nice crunch on the outside while slightly melting the cream cheese on the inside. Once cut into segments, a sweet sauce is drizzled on the top making it by far the most interesting roll in town.
Despite being known as a sushi restaurant, Ichiban serves “pan-Asian” food meaning you can find noodle dishes, vegetables and spring rolls as well. For their options and creativity that accompany your vegetarian requests, I give them a 4 out of 5 carrots. The only bummer is that they’re hours of operation are for dinnertime and they are not open on Sundays.
IF YOU GO: Ichiban, 103 Capitol St. (next door to Bar 101). 304/720-7874. Mon-Thurs 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5 to 10 p.m. Closed Sundays. Reservations only for parties of 8 or more.
F.O.V. (Friend of Vegetarian) Rating: 4 carrots (out of a possible 5).
M. James Street is a self-described “food obsessed economist in training” who resides in Charleston, and will be blogging about the challenges and pleasures of vegetarian eating in the Charleston, W.Va., area.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Nice recommondation, MJ… The next time I have a taste for veggie noshing and happen to be down in Charleston, I’ll check the place out… Oh, and if by chance I catch you there chomping on the Winterplace, the check will be on me….
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:33 am
Although I am an unofficial member of PETA (people for eating tasty animals), I think an occassional vegetarian take on food is a great thing. We could all work a few more veggies and a few less steaks into our diet. I had very good vegetarian chili while in Athens Ohio last week and I think I enjoyed that more than any meaty one that I have tasted.
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
By no means am I a pusher of a complete vegetarian lifestyle for others, but I think cutting meat out of at least one or two meals a week is fantastic. You’re right Rich, many meals can be better than the originals vegetarian style, I think people may be a little apprehensive to give it a try. Morningstar corn dogs, for example, are so convincing that I’ve known hardcore meat-and-potatoes people to swear off real corn dogs forever!
July 25th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
By definition of the word “vegetarian” means you don’t eat animals. If you eat only fish, only chicken, etc., you are not a vegetarian. I have many times heard people claim to be vegetarians but then say that they eat fish. Anyway I think its great that a veggie review is in the Gazz. Please MJ, out those restaurants that say that a dish is veggie when it has lard, fish sauce, etc in it. They should receive a black carrot. Inquiring vegetarians want to know!