Japanese cuisine has become a staple dining choice in New Jersey. The range of dishes provides something for everyone’s palate. Soba noodles, tempura, and ramen have a strong following, and every town has its favorite sushi restaurant. Omakase, which means “I leave it up to you,” is a form of Japanese dining that invites guests to surrender to the chef’s inspiration and creativity. Diners do not choose what they would like to eat; instead, the chef presents his dishes, inspired by what is fresh, in season, and the mood he wants to create. Typically, this experience is a 10-to 15-course meal that includes sushi and other specialty ingredients, such as Wagyu beef. Ichiryu, located at 691 Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell, is a new restaurant that has brought the art of Omakase dining to Essex County. Read more about Ichiryu in West Caldwell, New Jersey, and the owners, Rudy Tan and Nikki Wang.
Ichiryu is located at 691 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell. Rudy Tan and his partner, Nikki Wang, had dreams of opening a restaurant where they could be their own bosses. Rudy wanted to follow his love of Japanese cuisine and his passion to create Omakase, and Nikki wanted to share her love of desserts and bubble teas.
The couple moved to West Orange and began searching throughout Essex County for the perfect space for their restaurant. They found a location at the beginning of 2023, and in April 2024, Rudy started serving an Omakase experience. The restaurant is designed to evoke a speakeasy atmosphere, and Rudy and Nikki’s welcoming personalities further enhance the intimate setting of the Omakase meal.
Rudy, who is from Indonesia, came to the United States in 2001. He began working in restaurants as a busboy, a server, and a manager, but he wanted to change the direction of his future and learn everything about sushi. He worked as an apprentice at various Japanese restaurants in New York, which led him to work at the now-closed Michelin-starred restaurant Three Pillars. He then worked at Sushi by Bou in Jersey City, where he refined his craft and developed his personal style.
Rudy is inspired by traditional Japanese techniques, combined with subtle modern twists that represent his vision. He explained that every dish starts with the rice, which must be of the highest quality. Rudy only uses the freshest ingredients and explained that there is a saying in Japanese that translates to “It has to be more than perfect.” This is his mantra, and his work ethic, which shines through in every dish he prepares.
The Montclair Girl loved the Money Dish, a $100 bill made of rice paper, served with yellowtail and fried Japanese Sweetfish, allowing you to assemble your own sushi roll. The Wagyu beef, accompanied by a soy-marinated quail egg, was stunning and unforgettable. Rudy’s menu changes on a weekly to bi-weekly basis, allowing for a different experience every time.
Nikki, who spent a considerable amount of time traveling through Asia, loved discovering exotic flavors and wanted to share her unique culinary experiences with the United States. Bubble Tea became the vessel she chose to share all of the flavors from home and her travels. She is happy to customize drinks for customers based on their favorite flavors.
The Montclair Girl recommends the Dirty Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte, made with Hojicha tea. Nikki also makes dessert for the last course of the Omakase meal. We tried a dessert inspired by a Japanese parfait, which featured Ube and Rose ice cream with whipped cream cheese and toasted macadamia and coconut.
When customers make reservations, the restaurant always asks if there are any allergies or dietary restrictions, allowing everyone to enjoy this unique experience.
Ichiryu is open from 5PM-8PM Tuesday through Thursday, and 5PM-8:30PM on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Dining is by reservation only. Please call 973-567-5372 for reservations. Omakase time slots are 5PM and 7PM. Eight seats are available for each time slot — $ 120 per person for fifteen courses.
There is a parking lot behind the restaurant, allowing for easy parking amidst the high traffic of Bloomfield Avenue.
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