Of course, I’m referring to the creature from whence the appetizer came, Igibon‘s Tako Sunomono ($4.95).  This light combination of delicately sliced octopus and cucumber in vinegar sauce isn’t just tasty and refreshing, it’s also a conversation starter.

Advertisement

Igibon’s lunch offerings include a nice variety of udon, sushi slates, and bento boxes.  The Igibon Special bento box ($8.95, shown above sans three pieces of sushi that were brought out moments later) is a considerable amount of food — including Beef Maki, Shrimp Tempura, Vegetable Tempura, sushi, fried or white rice, crab wonton, salad, and soup.  The Beef Maki ($4.95 on its own) is something I’ve never seen anywhere else — ribeye steak sliced thin and rolled around scallions and carrots, covered in a soy-based sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds.  It’s served warm, and it’s different — like tiny sushi-sized chunks of pot roast.  I also have to comment on the salad dressing — though thin, it’s a great combination of creamy and tart and goes well with the whole dinner.  The broccoli floret tempura, however, is a bit wieldy in my opinion.

My companion went for Sushi B ($6.95), one of three sushi slates offered with soup for the lunchtime crowd.  It included California roll, tuna roll, cucumber roll, and a couple of pieces of a house roll with avocado and crab stick.

Advertisement

Of course, Igibon’s food is great, but I also like the atmosphere — it feels grown-up in comparison to so many other places you can catch lunch.  And I appreciate a picture menu — lets you see what you’re getting in advance.  Unhurried but not too fancy, it’s easy to see why the restaurant has been a Best of Arkansas runner-up over and over again.  Or as my companion put it, it’s like a food cave for adults.

Haven’t tried it?  You’ll find Igibon Japanese Food House at 11121 North Rodney Parham Suite A-13 (in the Market Place Shopping Center).  (501) 217-8888.  It’s open Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5-10:00 p.m. for dinner.

Advertisement

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Huck chomps another loafer Next article Belatedly