Hello. Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! on this holiday week. Cathy is writing today.
My most recent post about Niban was about 18 months ago. This is part of the 'rotation' for The Mister and myself and I could write about meals at Niban every month, but have found restraint.
Not much has changed here other than the prices, so here we go!
The soft shell crab roll ($11) is a filling five piece meal. Soft shell crab, real crab and avocado are the main ingredients.
The fried calamari appetizer ($9) is always a good choice. Four pieces of sliced calamari steak breaded in panko, crisply fried and served with (always too much) spicy sauce.
The Vegetable Delight ($13.50) seems to be a regular choice for me; I found photos from nine different visits. Consistently the same presentation.
Eight pieces of vegetable tempura (potato, carrot, zucchini and onion), salad, eight pieces of Garden Roll, edamame, cold noodle salad, rice and tempura dipping sauce. This is a very satisfying meal with so many varied flavors and textures.
The Combination Bento ($13.95) with pork teriyaki and egg roll is also a good choice.
The Stamina Udon ($13) was a nice meal on one of the (many) cold and rainy days we had early this year. The broth has a light mushroom flavor and the ingredients (chicken, krab, fishcake, shrimp, dumplings, sweet tofu, egg, broccoli) along with the springy udon make this a very filling meal.
The Shrimp Tempura Bento ($13.50) has five shrimp tempura, lightly fried and served with a house made tartar sauce and a portion of the Seafood Salad (bottom right) which is on the appetizer menu for $5. A nice addition to this bento.
When you first walk in, before turning to the cash register, look at the wall ahead. Daily Lunch Specials from 11-2:30.
Bento Lunch ($9.75) Six pieces of California roll, one piece Inari, three pieces of fried seafood (fish, squid, shrimp), pickled vegetables and rice. This is a very pleasant lunch and good for the budget minded.
The Gyoza Lunch ($9.25) is also really nice. Six meat filled dumplings steamed or deep fried. Salad, rice and (a very good) miso soup. You might notice that miso soup is no longer included with the bento meals; it is $2.50 on the appetizer menu.
I do prefer the gyoza being steamed then quick fried 'pot sticker' style. The deep fried is a nice, crisp texture but I think overwhelms the filling.
This longstanding (first Yelps are from 2005) eatery is consistently serving good food at reasonable prices. They have started charging $1 for hot tea, which, considering how much 'free' tea we had over the years, is not a complaint. It's a good green tea.
Niban 7801 Clairmont Mesa Blvd., Suite 101, San Diego 921110(858) 268-0465 Open Lunch: Mon-Sat 11:30-2:30 Dinner: Tue-Thurs 5:00-9:00 Fri-Sat 5:00-9:30 Sunday 4:30-9:00
Ah yes — Niban. My wife and I used to go to Ichiban in PB almost every week back in the ’90s — my usual order was the Stamina Noodles and my wife usually ordered the curry. Good food at an affordable price. Then we switched to Niban when Ichiban’s owners got that going — much easier to get a seat. Haven’t been in forever, but fond memories. Cool to see they still have Stamina Noodles/Udon on the menu all these years later.
Funny the lantern in the first picture says Sanban (number three) but the restaurant is Niban (number two). I used to go a lot during my college days when I was on a budget. Prices are still quite reasonable.
everything sounded reasonable and delicious
Niban is on my rotation. Instead of the cut roll, I get the soft shell crab in a handroll. There’s usually a white biard of daily specials in the window next to the door.
Used to be a regular place for me. Need to return
Considering how much I dislike change, the comforting consistency here is indeed why we return, Peter. When the weather is cold, both the Stamina Udon and the Curries are perfect choices. Nice to know you were here in the 90’s, too.
That lantern is pretty new, Junichi; I think it may have been some sort of advertising giveaway. Niban is still a nice place to patronize.
Really it’s all delicious, kat.
Yes, drop back in, ST. Just not for a Sunday lunch or a Monday dinner.
p.s. Cathy: You may have noticed that the Stamina Noodles/Udon ingredients have changed slightly over time. I see from your photo that there’s broccoli in there now — it used to be spinach (where the “stamina” came from I think, like Popeye), and the boiled egg used to be soft boiled not hard boiled. Have a happy 4th!
You are correct, Peter! I love spinach (my favorite easy meal is the frozen Stouffers Spinach Soufflé; I will buy ten packages when it’s on sale, none for use as a side dish). The soft boiled egg was always perfect. A small change, but I suppose it makes things easier in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy this Independence Day, too.