Teishoku (Japanese Set Meals) in NYC
Teishoku is the Japanese set meal: one main dish served with rice and sides, the everyday lunch and dinner of Japan. At Ichibantei in the East Village, every entrée is served teishoku-style with rice and miso soup, from chicken nanban and karaage to tonkatsu, pork ginger and hambagu. Entrées start at $20.
What is teishoku?
Teishoku (定食) means “set meal.” It’s how most people in Japan eat at a casual restaurant: a main dish of meat or fish, a bowl of rice, and small sides, all on one tray. It’s filling, balanced, and quick, which is why teishoku restaurants are everywhere in Japan, from office districts to train stations.
Our teishoku mains
- Chicken Nanban: fried chicken with sweet-and-sour amazu and tartar sauce. See chicken nanban.
- Karaage: Japanese fried chicken with lemon. See karaage.
- Teriyaki Chicken and Garlic Chicken
- Grilled Chicken with yuzu koshō
- Chicken Katsu and Tonkatsu (Kurobuta pork loin). See katsu.
- Pork Ginger and Pork Yakiniku (Kurobuta pork belly)
- Tonteki Pork Steak with demi-glacé
- Hamburger Steak, plain, with cheese, or wafu style. See hambagu.
- Tuna Steak, lightly seared
- Ichibantei Steak (Angus ribeye)
- Sukiyaki
How it’s served
Each entrée comes with rice and miso soup, the way teishoku is served in Japan, and most also come with a mixed salad. (Miso soup isn’t included with takeout or delivery.) You can ask for half rice, extra rice or no rice, and add an ontama (soft egg) on top.
Lunch and late night
We serve the same menu all day: from 11 AM Thursday to Sunday, from 5 PM Monday to Wednesday, until last orders at 2:30 AM. That makes us a rare place for a proper Japanese set meal after midnight.
Gluten-free and vegan options
Karaage, Chicken Nanban, Teriyaki Chicken, Pork Ginger and Ichibantei Steak are gluten-free. Katsu and hamburger steaks aren’t. For vegan, try our vegan Japanese curry with vegan chicken katsu. See our dietary guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is teishoku?
Teishoku is a Japanese set meal: a main dish served with rice, miso soup and small sides. It’s the everyday lunch and dinner of Japan. At Ichibantei, every entrée is served this way.
Where can I get teishoku in NYC?
Ichibantei serves teishoku-style entrées at 100 3rd Ave in the East Village, near Union Square, from $20, until last orders at 2:30 AM.
What’s the most popular teishoku at Ichibantei?
Karaage and Chicken Nanban are our most-ordered entrées.
Do you serve teishoku for lunch?
Yes, from 11 AM Thursday to Sunday. On Monday to Wednesday we open at 5 PM.
Is there a gluten-free teishoku?
Yes. Karaage, Chicken Nanban, Teriyaki Chicken, Pork Ginger and Ichibantei Steak are gluten-free.